SINCLAIR GATHERING 2000 (Draft 17 Alterations in Red Notes have also changed. )
Tuesday 25 July Check into allocated hotel to you - either the Central Park Hotel, Bayswater or The Paragon, Fulham. The party will be split between the two as it will be in Edinburgh 15.00 - 17.30 Registration for the tour in the Reception Area of your hotel. At the desks will be Denise Choa at the Central Park Jane Hanson and Cecelia Jocelyn at the Paragon 17.30 Coaches depart hotels for Parliament Reception at House of Lords - Wine and Finger Buffet 20.30 Coaches return to hotels
Wednesday 26 July 09.00 Depart hotel by coach with all luggage for tour of Parliament By 11.30 Coaches depart London for Edinburgh Lunch and tea stops enroute Check into allocated hotel in Edinburgh - either Capital Moat House, or the Apex European Hotel.
Thursday 27 July 09.00 Coaches from Apex European Hotel depart for Roslin for tour of Rosslyn Castle and the Chapel. Coaches depart Capital Moat House Hotel for City Tour and either visit to Edinburgh Castle or HMY Britannia. Those preferring to shop can make their own way to the lunch stop. 12.45 Lunch for all at Harry Ramsdens (drinks not included) with talk on 'The Kilt' by Kinloch Anderson 14.15 The two coaches from Apex European follow morning programme of Capital Moat House and vice versa. Those in Edinburgh can, if they want return to Rosslyn by coach. 17.30 Clan Evensong service Rosslyn Chapel 18.15 Coaches return to Capital Moat House Hotel 19.00 Buffet dinner at Capital Moat House Hotel 20.15 Coaches leave for Edinburgh Castle 21.00 Royal Tribute. Pipes and Drums display to commemorate 100th Birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother at Edinburgh Castle Coaches return to hotels
Friday 28 July 08.45 Coach depart Edinburgh for Caithness Tour of Blair Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Atholl Lunch Aviemore. No 1 Restaurant or Cairngorm Hotel 14.00 Leave Aviemore 16.00 Tea at Dunrobin Castle, ancestral home of the Dukes of Sutherland 17.00 Leave Dunrobin c. 19.00 Check into allocated hotel in Caithness for six nights' inclusive bed and breakfast at Strathmore Lodge, The Weigh Inn, The Station Hotel, The Park Hotel or The Ulbster Arms Hotel. There will be two greeters at each hotel Evening free
Saturday 29 July Coaches depart for Halkirk Games and buffet lunch in the Clan Sinclair Tent c.17.30 Chief's Reception at the end of the Games c.18.30 Coaches return to hotels Evening free
Sunday 30 July Coaches depart for ecumenical Church Service West Street Church, Thurso, at 11.15 am with Ministers of Church of Scotland, the Episcopalian Church and Catholic Church Lunch, afternoon and evening free
Monday 31 July 09.15 Coaches from the Hotels in Thurso depart for visits to Sinclair and Girnigoe Castles; Clan Sinclair Study Centre, Noss Head; Wick Heritage Centre and Caithness Glass factory Lunch in Wick (not included) c. 18.00 Return to hotels. 09.30 Coach from Halkirk departs for visit to Wick Heritage Centre and Caithness Glass factory. It then returns to Halkirk for Lunch and the afternoon is free. Dinner free and followed by 20.00 Ceilidh, at British Legion Hall, Thurso with Gaelic Choir, Gold Medal winning soloist, Highland Dancers and our own 'in house' performers.
Tuesday 1 August From 09.00 Coaches depart for tour of the Castle of Mey and the Gardens, John O'Groats and Canisbay Church Coaches from Thurso return to hotels Lunch and afternoon free. Evening free for everyone. c. 14.00 Coach from Halkirk arrives for visit of Sinclair and Girnigoe Castles and the Clan Sinclair Study Centre
Wednesday 2 August 10.15 Coaches depart for 11.00 Formal Clan Meeting in British Legion Hall, Thurso 18.30 for 19.00 Formal farewell dinner at Weigh Inn Hotel, Thurso 23.30 Coaches return to the hotels
Thursday 3 August 09.15 Coaches return to Edinburgh or Glasgow. The journey is free but accommodation has not been arranged and must be organised and paid for individually.
Friday 4 August Coaches, free of charge, return to London
IMPORTANT NOTES
Programme The programme of events is subject to change without prior notice. All items of property remain the responsibility of the owners. The Gathering is being organised by the Clan Sinclair Society of Caithness, which is a non profit making organisation with no assets and will not be liable for direct, special, indirect or consequential damages arising from any loss or damage caused by any act or omission of the organisers or a third party other than any statutory liability.
Coaches
We will be using the same modern coaches throughout the tour. You will be assigned a coach when you arrive in London. It is very IMPORTANT you always travel on that coach, as this will be the only way we can check everyone is with us. There will be two coaches at each hotel. The journeys from London to Edinburgh and Edinburgh to Caithness will be long but there will be comfort stops at regular intervals
In Caithness each hotel will be allocated a coach. Again please use your hotel coach. Those at Strathmore will be on the Ulbster Arms Hotel coach at Halkirk.
There will be a 'leader' on each coach throughout the trip.
On the journey from Edinburgh to Caithness interesting sites and some of the history will be explained. On Tuesday 1st August there will be a 'local' on each coach to help.
Badges and tickets
Your badge will be in the pack you are given when you register for the tour at your hotel. It is important for security purposes, to you and us. Without it you will not be allowed into the House of Lords, lunch at the Halkirk Games, the Ceilidh or the Castle of Mey. It needs to worn at all these events. The badge should also be worn as you arrive at your hotel in Caithness, as this will help the greeters and hotel staff.
Tickets will also be needed for some events and these will also be in your pack.
If you loose your badge or tickets please notify Lord Caithness as soon as possible.
Weather
This is unpredictable and we can have all four seasons in a day in Caithness even in mid summer. One needs to be able to dress accordingly. I would suggest that you pack layers including cotton shirts, skirts and trousers, woollen jumpers and sweatshirts, a waterproof coat or jacket and a pair of comfortable shoes that won't come to any harm if they get wet.
Formal clothes House of Lords reception - it is normal to wear a suit but a jacket/blazer and tie would be acceptable for the men, in the UK kilts are normally only worn in Scotland; dresses or skirts are usual for the ladies but smart trousers can be worn. No hats for ladies. Halkirk Games - kilt and jacket is the usual dress but it can be more informal. Formal Clan Dinner - Kilt and Black Jacket (e.g. Prince Charlie style or similar) or tuxedo/dinner jacket for men.
Visits
Some of the places we will visit are exposed and are extremely dangerous. Very great care and common sense will be needed at times. You visit at your own risk. This is why the Halkirk coach visits Girnigoe Castle on a different day.
Midges These can be very active at this time of year when the wind drops and it is recommended you bring or purchase over here an insect repellent like Jungle Juice or Autan or Boots Mosquito Milk - we don't have mosquitoes but the Mosquito Milk is very effective against the midges!
Included
All coach transport Porterage in London and Edinburgh Bed and Breakfast 25 July to 3 August All entrances except Dunrobin Castle if you want to look round it. The buses will also stop there on the way south. 27 July lunch and dinner 28 July lunch 29 July lunch 2 August dinner
Not included
Drinks, except at House of Lords Reception, Chief's Reception at the Halkirk Games and wine during the Formal Clan Dinner. There will be a cash bar after dinner. All meals except those listed above.
Diets
If anyone has a particular dietary requirement please let me know as soon as possible.
Harry Ramsdens is a noted fish restaurant so there will be a set meal including fish and chips.
Other meals will include chicken, beef, lamb or venison.
The buffet lunch at the Halkirk Games will cover all special dietary needs.
The menu for the formal clan dinner is
A salmon and seafood starter, Haggis Venison Raspberry and cream pudding.
Suitable alternatives are being provided for those who have already notified me of their diet requirements.
On arrival in London
Suggested ways on how to get to your Hotel
Central Park Hotel, Bayswater.
From Heathrow: Paddington Express then taxi to the hotel (short ride). Nearest underground stations (about two blocks) Queensway (Central line) and Bayswater (District and Circle lines)
From Gatwick: Train to Victoria then taxi or underground (Circle line) to Bayswater
The Paragon, Fulham.
From Heathrow: Either train to Paddington then taxi or underground (District line) to West Brompton and walk (about three blocks) or underground (Piccadilly line) from Heathrow to Earl's Court and then taxi.
From Gatwick: Train to Victoria then either taxi or underground (District line) to West Brompton.
Access to Rooms in London
As usual access cannot be guaranteed before 2.00pm but rooms may be available earlier. On 25th there will be a room in each hotel where you can store your luggage until your room is available.
Visits in Edinburgh
I have to pre-book tickets in advance for Edinburgh Castle and the former Royal Yacht Britannia. I need to know, when you pay your final instalment by June 6th, which you wish to do (if either) or whether you would prefer to spend the time on your own. A half-hour Evensong has been arranged for the Clan starting at 17.30. The two coaches in Edinburgh in the afternoon will return to Rosslyn for this.
Photography
No official video film will be taken but if all those who do take videos would let me have a copy I will have them edited to make one video for sale as the official record.
The House of Lords is part of a Royal Palace and as such photography is forbidden (except with permission) inside the building. This applies to us and to the tour on Wednesday as well. However I have received permission for a named photographer to take pictures of the Reception and these will be available to you.
The Castle of Mey is a private Royal residence and no photography is allowed inside.
Orkney
No organised trip is planned to visit Orkney on this tour but some have indicated their wish to go there following the Gathering in Caithness. A useful contact to help you is The Orkney Tourist Board, 6 Broad Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1NX Tel: (0)1856 872856 Fax: (0)1856 875056
Ferries
With or without cars P&O Scottish Ferries Tel: (0)1847 894180 or 892057 Fax: (0)1847 894667 Remember to specify Clan Sinclair as I have negotiated a discount for us.
Out day one/return day two £14 per person. £35 per car
Longer stay £18 per person. £45 per car
Without cars: John O'Groats Ferry Tel: (0)1955 611353 Fax: (0)1955 611301 www.jogferry.co.uk
Maxi Day Tour: Leaves John O'Groats 9.00am; arrives back 7.45pm - Cost £32 Highlights: Leaves JO'G 10.30am; arrives back 6.00pm - Cost £29
Useful addresses and telephone numbers
Mary Selver (USA) will be staying at The Paragon, Apex European and then The Weigh Inn.
Rory Sinclair (Canada) will be staying at The Central Park, Capital Moat House and then Strathmore.
In Caithness, Malcolm Caithness will be at the St, Clair Hotel, Thurso Tel: 01847 896481/ 893730. Fax: 01847 896481 and they will take urgent messages for him during the day.
Hotels
The Paragon Hotel, 47 Lillie Road, Earls Court, London SW16 1UG Tel: (0)207 385 1255 Fax: (0)207 381 0215
The Central Park Hotel, 49 Queensborough Terrace, Bayswater, London W2 3SS Tel: (0)207 229 2424 Fax: (0)207 229 2904
The Capital Moat House, 187 Clermiston Road, Edinburgh EH12 6UG Tel: (0)131 535 9988 Fax: (0)131 334 9712
The Apex European, 90 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh, EH12 5LQ Tel: (0)131 474 3456 Fax: (0)131 474 3400
The Weigh Inn Hotel, Burnside, Thurso, Caithness KW14 7UG Tel: (0)1847 893722
The Station Hotel, 54 Princes Street, Thurso, Caithness Tel (0)1847 892003
The Ulbster Arms Hotel, Halkirk, Caithness Tel (0)1847 831206
Strathmore Lodge, Westerdale, By Halkirk, Caithness Tel (0)1847 841227
The Park Hotel, Thurso, Caithness Tel: (0)1847 893251 MC 05/07/00.(17)