Gatherin 'O' The Clans
Date : 22nd-23rd June 2024
Time : TBA
Venue : Grampian Museum of Transport
Contact : Secretary
Info :This has now been confirmed. Our plan is for anyone interested to make a weekend of it and stay Friday and Saturday nights locally in the Premier Inn, however it would be possible to drive there for the day or one night. Please contact Stewart Roy for details of hotel.
The venue for the main Gathering on the Saturday is the Grampian Transport
Museum (GTM), Montgarrie Rd, Alford AB33 8AE. https://www.gtm.org.uk/
Saturday 22nd
There is a purpose-built oval circuit at GTM and if there is sufficient
interest, we can run some slow speed parade laps around the circuit so that
people can see the cars in motion. Anyone wishing to take part in the
parade laps must contact their insurers to confirm that their insurance
covers them for this activity.
There will be trade stands and catering on site, there are also a couple of
places to eat in Alford village which is a very short walk from the Museum.
The charge for entry to the Gathering will be £10 per car; but does not include entry to the Museum this is aimed at GTM members
or people who have already visited the Museum. However, we have also
negotiated a rate of £20 per car for entry to the grounds for the event and
this also includes entry to the Transport Museum and Travellers Rest café
for 2 people. People electing to go for the Museum entry option will be given a wrist band for entry.
Saturday evening
On Saturday evening we have booked the restaurant at the Forbes Arms Hotel
for dinner. The restaurant will seat around 65 / 70 people and we will
probably have a set menu, but this, and the cost, is still to be decided
depending on numbers. https://www.theforbesarmshotel.com/
Please advise as soon as possible if you would like to join the dinner as
places are limited and are filling fast!
Sunday 23rd
On Sunday morning, we will re-convene at GTM at around 10:00 / 10:30 for a
short scenic road run through the Aberdeenshire countryside to Balmoral
Castle.
Two routes have been devised Route 1 is around 30 miles and is
predominantly on main roads for the older / slower cars, whereas Route 2 is
around 40 miles and, being more uphill / down dale, is aimed at the more
modern MGs. Note also that some roads on Route 2 are single track with
passing places. I will circulate both routes in advance so that people can
decide which one they want to do.
On arrival at Balmoral, cars candrive through the main gates and will be
marshalled to park in front of the Castle - note that this facility is not
normally available to the public. The entry fee to Balmoral will include an
audio tour of the parts of the Castle which are open to the public as well
as the gardens, exhibitions etc. People can also visit the café, gift shop
etc.
They have agreed to charge their standard tour fee of £17.50 per
person which includes the audio tour despite trying, there is no further
leeway on the price.
If people dont wish to pay this, they can do the road run and then head
straight home or go into Ballater for lunch; alternatively, they can park in
the public car park in Crathie (if there's space in June!) and walk into the
Castle grounds free of charge they will be able to visit the café etc.,
but not park in front of the castle. Last time I checked, the public car
park in Crathie was £5. Again, we will issue wrist bands for those wishing
to drive into the Castle and undertake the tour.
There are some conditions at Balmoral, most notably the requirement for a
drip mat / tray.
If we decide to go ahead there are certain rules for car groups:-
5 mph when travelling in the grounds.
Cars must carry drip mats
A fire extinguisher to be available
Cars must be insured for any damage they may cause while on
Balmoral land.
Opening times are from 10.00 a.m. until 5.00 p.m., however,
please note that the last recommended admission is at 4.00 p.m.
We recommend that you set aside at least one and a half hours for your visit
to Balmoral, this will give you time to visit the grounds, gardens,
exhibitions, gift shop and the coffee shop.
You can also enjoy the audio handset tour of the grounds, gardens and
exhibitions - this tour lasts approximately one hour and is available in
English with Dutch, French, German, Italian and Spanish as additional
options. The handset can be collected at the admissions desk on arrival and
should then be handed in to the Mews Gift Shop at the end of your visit.
After Balmoral, people with long journeys ahead of them can depart whenever
they like, or just down the road from Balmoral is the Royal Lochnagar
Distillery which you can visit if you have time, they charge £25 per person
for a tour. Let me know if there is any interest in this as we may need to
pre-book?
Rally Plate
The cost of each plate will be in the region of £5, so if we dont manage to secure a sponsor, please can you indicate whether people would like one (or two!) and
are willing to pay £5 each so that we can decide whether to go ahead and
determine how many we will need. They will be printed on durable plastic so
would be nice to hang in the garage!
Each driver must fill out an entry form and send it to Aberdeen MGOC along with the entry fees for whatever options they have chosen.
PLEASE NOTE : Once booked you will be liable for any costs incurred in your name by the Club. See CANCEL EVENT BOOKING on left.
To book for this event click on the Button below
*** If you have booked your name will be listed below.