44th Annual Dinner Meet
Birnam House Hotel, Birnam
29-31 October 1999

Present: Maureen B, Tony & Sheila B, Tony B, Geoff & Janet B, Graham & Mrs.C, Jo C, Keith C, Valerie C, Gordon C, Verity C, C & N D, Peter F, Katherine G, Stuart, Richard G, Andrew Hand three nieces, John & Diane H, Michael & Mrs.H, Tony & Fiona K, Laubie L, Jo L, Mark L, Tom & Julie L, Morag M, Cathy H, Fiona & Calum M, Bill M-R, Anne M, Edel & Gerry M, Bob P, Heidi P & Charlie, Debbie K, Steve R, bump 2 & Cormac R, Steve R, Justin R, Charlie S, Brian S, Hillary & Rona S, Nina T, Gail W, Jeremy W, Neil, Clare & Gavin W, Brenda, Simon Y & bump 1 (62.1!)

Probably the biggest dinner meet of all time! The 44th Dinner Meet certainly seemed to set a lot of records. The wettest Saturday (although probably not...); the first Ceilidh (a great success); the shortest speeches (hurrah !); the first female President (many congratulations!); the least hills climbed (2?); and so on...

Everyone seemed to have a great time, and just to check it wasn’t a fluke we’re going back again next year.

Saturday

What everyone did is a bit vague. Saturday was certainly wild, wet and windy, but Tony B certainly upheld the honour of the club by crawling to the top of Carn Liath on Beinn a’Ghlo when his companions all wimped out. Rumours are than even Brian declined to venture far that day - definitely another record! The Hermitage was much visited, being well sheltered from the soggy blast.

Although the majority preferred the soft life in the hotel, it’s good to record that a hardy few (Jo, Josie, Laubie, Calum and Fiona) continued their training as ‘hard men’ and preferred the camping option.

Dinner was served in the magnificent ballroom of the hotel, and much enjoyed by all. The ceilidh was notable in that just about everyone was up dancing - the bar was definitely inadequately propped up!

Sunday

After the night’s excesses, the nearness of Edinburgh proved too big a temptation to many in spite of the somewhat better weather. Nevertheless some outdoor activity was recorded. Tony B, Tony K and Hillary ascended Beinn a’Chuaillaich above Kinloch Rannoch although Hillary discovered that his waterproofs no longer met the specification! Meanwhile saner minds stuck to the lower ground with Jo and Josie ambling along the riverside down at Killiecrankie taking arty photos to be used as Christmas cards.

Apologies to anyone whose valiant exploits went unrecorded - I’m sure there were some. Anyway, a great time was had by all and with a bit of luck it’ll be even better this year!

Tony K