The Society
Council has decided that the 2011 Clan
Gathering will be based around the Dalmunzie Castle Hotel near
Glenshee. All events, other than the Cockstane Gathering, will
take place at the hotel.
This lovely hotel is situated in its own grounds
a mile north of the Spittal of Glenshee and has its own 9-hole
golf course and other sporting facilities.In order to take
advantage of lower mid-season prices, it has been decided
Gathering will take place between the
27th and 30th May
2011.
May has always been a great month to visit
Scotland - statistically it is a much drier than August, and
the glorious scenery is set off by lingering snow on the
mountain tops and colourful displays of wildflowers in the
woodlands and glens.Although cooler than August there are
often long periods of warm sunshine.
The Clan
Society has pre-booked all the bedrooms and urges members to
stay at the Dalmunzie. Special rates have been negotiated and
have been circulated with the 2010 New Year newsletter.Some of
the larger rooms can accommodate children.
As the accommodation is limited, it
is advisable to book early through the hotel's website:
www.dalmunzie.com.
Please mention "MacThomas" when booking.
Payments for accommodation should
be made directly to the Hotel.
Click here for
a selection of photographs of the
Dalmunzie.
Council is sensitive to the fact that the
prices at Dalmunzie are slightly higher than we have
previously been accustomed to. For those not wishing to stay
at the hotel, the following alternatives are suggested:
Members should be aware that no rooms are available at the
Spittal Hotel for the night of the 28th May 2011. More.
In response to requests for members we have introduced
a number of new events that should make for an exciting and
memorable Gathering in the most beautiful surroundings.
The expected itinerary for the
gathering is as follows:
Friday 27th May 2011 - Day
One
3.00pm
Rooms at the Dalmunzie become available.
6:00 pm
Collection of name badges & tickets from the
hotel foyer where
Clan Merchandise will be on
sale.
7:00pm
The Chief's Reception.
8:00pm
Clan BBQ - outside if the weather permits. **
9:00pm
Society Lecture by Scott Poole on "Glenshee"
followed by
questions - in the dining room.
9.30pm
Team Quiz Night with Quiz Master Finegand - in
the dining room.
Children's activities will be provided throughout
the evening.
Saturday 28th May 2011 - Day
Two
09:30am
Clan Merchandise will be on sale in the hotel
foyer.
11.00am
Clan Gathering at the Cockstane.
(Car
Share to ease pressure on parking)
12:30pm
Bar Lunch at Dalmunzie or elsewhere in the
Glen.
2:00pm -
4:30pm
Reel Practice in the Dalmunzie Dining
Room.
(Dashing
White Sergeant, Duke of Perth, Eightsome Reel, Gay
Gordons, Hamilton House and Strip the
Willow)
7:30
for
8:00pm
Clan Society Dinner in the company of MacThomaidh
Mhor and
4 Courses. ** (Kilts, DJ's or
Lounge Suits)
10.00pm
Presentation on whisky by Scott Poole in the
lounge area followed by tasting for those who wish.
10:30pm
A
musical interlude with Ken McColm and others.
Note:
An earlier tea will be available for children
under 12 not attending
the dinner
Sunday 29th May 2011 - Day
Three
11:00am
Annual General Meeting
11:00am
- 1:00pm
Series of activities for the young at Gulabin
Lodge
12:30pm
Bar Lunch at Dalmunzie.
Clan Merchandise will be on sale in the hotel
foyer.
2:30pm
If
Wet:
A sporting Afternoon for all
ages:
Archery - on the Hotel front
lawn.
Clay Pigeon Shooting.
Golf - on the Hotel's own
course.
Mountain Biking.
Tennis.
Walking - challenging climbs or
gentle walks.
Bar billiards
Indoor Workshops/Games for the
Young
5:00pm
Dalmunzie Drive Race (approx 1.5
miles).
(There
will be a children's race if there are enough
competitors)
7:30
for
8:00pm
Haggis and neeps in the lounge area followed by
the Clan Ceilidh in the dining room.**
10.30pm
Clan Raffle and Prize Giving.
Monday 30th May 2011 - Day Four
(Bank Holiday)
8:30am
Clan Breakfast **
9:30pm
9-hole Clan Golf Team
Championship.
9:30pm
Clan Merchandise will be on sale in the hotel
foyer.
Noon
Presentation of the MacThomas Golf Trophy.
The Gathering ends officially after breakfast,
but members are welcome to enter the golf championship, play
tennis, go mountain biking, site see, walk in the hills or
just relax in this magnificent
setting.
Details of the cost of the various events will
be published in the 2010 edition of the Clach A' Choilich and
are available to members on request.
It
will be necessary for participants to book and pay for the
events marked ** in advance. We hope to be able to provide a
PayPal payment facility. Detailed procedures will be advised
in due course.
Will
all members planning to attend the Gathering please register
using the "Register Now" button provided at
the top of this page as soon as possible - irrespective
of where they decide to stay. Please contact the Membership
Secretary if you require any
further information regarding the
Gathering.
You
can make comments regarding the arrangements for the Gathering
using the Clan
Blog.
