45^th Annual Dinner
Birnham House Hotel, Birnham
27-29 October 2000

Present: Jo L, Catriona P, James R, Andy R, Verity C, Debbie K, Steve R, Cormac R, Lewis R, Mark L, Valerie C, Thomas L, Julia L, Graham C, Angela C, Tony B, Andrea B, Tony K, Fiona K, Hillary S, Rona S (+2), Gordon C, Morag M, Fiona N, Sue A, Andrew H, Maureen B, Lorraine B, Karyn B, Anne M, Debbie M, Joanna M, Neil W, Clare W, Gavin W, Paul J & Elizabeth, Katherine G & Stuart, Bill M-R, Keith C, Charlie S, Pamela P, Willie J, Nina T, Dave B, Anne B, Bob P, Cathy H, Janey C, Andrew A, Josie L, Laubie L, Richard G, Martin R, Fiona M, Calum M, Brian S, Anne M

(Total 61)

Saturday

Some of the team arrived on Friday night, and put pay to one of the three barrels of beer that H had put on for the club …… a couple of funny heads I believe this morning! One determined team (Tony K, Fiona K, Brian, Anne, Richard and Martin) headed up a Corbett north of Garva Bridge (on the Corrieairack road) - the name of which has currently been forgotten - to blow away any form of hangover. Neil and Clare set off with Hillary and a very sick H who'd drunk a bit too much the night before and was very quiet along the twisty roads!!. They headed up a Corbett above Kinloch Rannoch - the name of which has also alluded this team! They were very quickly walking in thick mist so unfortunately didn't see much at all! The Williams had successfully 'leant' wee Gavin to Maureen, her two sisters, and an army of young helpers who all went to Perth for entertainment. Mark and Valerie had headed out to Ben Verakie, but a running injury of Mark's put pay to that so they ended up bike hunting in Pitlochry. A very very soggy and muddy Andy and James were spotted wandering through the reception after an epic mountain biking experience on a nearby moor!

Laubie went to play golf at the Birnam & Dunkeld golf course whilst Josie and Jo followed the Fungarth forest walk down to the Scottish Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve at Loch of Lowes. From there they trashed through bracken to summit Crieff Hill (192m) before heading along the edge of the muddiest forest track known to any creature (knee deep, and more!). The latter part of the walk was through a beech wood with wonderful autumn colours and great noises as the leaves were kicked and jumped about in …….errrr. Back at the golf course Laubie had finished his round of golf (he's a bit good!) so they headed back to the Hotel.

Early evening a small number started congregating in the reception area to chat, have pre-dinner drinks and to play with the children (well, the ones that were available - the girls were in their 'dressing rooms' putting some of the adults (me!) to shame with the efforts they made with their appearance).

The meal was a great success - 52 sat down to eat (the 61 figure includes children and those who ceilidhed rather than ate). The food was outstanding, and much better (and hotter!) than we had last year. In general, the service from the Hotel was fantastic. The ceilidh duo, Laird MacDonald, and Bob the Fiddler (not a patch on Bob the Builder!?) were unique! They knew before they started that the FMC have a number of experienced dancers, hence the faster beat, and a few made up ones to keeps everyone alert! Arms were recorded to still be tender on Tuesday after the longest Orcadian Strip the Willow the hotel had ever seen! The bar downstairs stayed open until the last drunken bod staggered to bed; Calum, Jo, and Laubie at 0415 (old time).

Sunday

Breakfast at 9am - a few grey faces, a few no-shows, but generally everyone looked pretty bright eyed and bushy tailed. Mark and Valerie were spotted coming back from an early morning run - they obviously didn't put enough effort into the ceilidh!!!

Activity biorhythms were generally low. Some folk headed off to see the 1,000-year old oak tree (becoming accomplished acorn thieves!) before ambling along and catching up with what must have been the majority of the 61 in the Hermitage, which was in impressive gushing form. A pick-me-up after such strenuous exercise was provided by Kate's tea-room. Some just headed straight home, whilst Jo, Catriona, Fiona N, Sue and Scally (Sue's dog) headed along the riverbank at Killiecrankie.

A hugely successful weekend. The cost of the ceilidh was covered by the £5 'fee'; the club made a tenner in fact! A new venue will be investigated for next year, but I think the ceilidh option should still be considered; but give me the Christmas Dinner Meet to organise any day!!!

JL