A project to establish a museum dedicated to the history of Scottish motorsport has received charitable status from the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator.

To be located at the famous Rest and Be Thankful road – a dedicated hill climb course since 1949 – the Scottish Motorsport Heritage Centre will, if built, sit near the top of the climb at the hairpin of the road, an area famous for being tricky to navigate among motorsport enthusiasts.

"There’s great significance to the Rest and Be Thankful," said Douglas Anderson, the entrepreneur leading the project. "It was seen as the ultimate test for many drivers because of its steepness.

"Many of the greats like Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart raced there, so it’s the ideal place to celebrate Scotland’s impressive motorsport heritage."

Plans for the heritage centre include a permanent exhibition space and facilities for cultural, business and film events.

Anderson – who has also helped bring the Monte Carlo Classic Rally start back to Scotland – said that the securing of charitable status means that the project can move ahead to the fund-raising stage.

Stan Bernard, chair of the trustees for the proposed centre, said: "I have a good feeling about the possibilities to create an attractive motorsport heritage centre that benefits the local community and all of Scotland."