Clan Strachan Family Convention 2024
28 July – 4 August 2024
A week of heritage, hospitality and heartfelt connections!
On behalf of the Clan Strachan Scottish Heritage Society, we are very much looking forward to welcoming you to bonnie Scotland for the highly anticipated 2024 Family Convention.
We now have the pleasure of confirming the itinerary for the various activities taking place during the week which can be found below.
Important:
All activities are for those guests that have already pre-booked with us and therefore places are limited to those on the lists only. Thank you for your co-operation. If you need to check what activities you have booked please do get in touch and we will be delighted to help.
Coach Departures and Returns:
Activity coaches will be departing from, and returning to, our partner hotels. These are the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel and the Loch Kinord Hotel in Dinnet and will be the meeting points for all guests. If you have stated that you are travelling from accommodation in Stonehaven or Laurencekirk, please note that your seats are reserved on the Aberdeen coach(es). Guests travelling from accommodation in Banchory, Ballater, Aboyne, Strachan or those staying at The Feughside Inn, please note that your seats are reserved on the Loch Kinord coach(es). Due to a small number of guests that have stated they may use their own transport for some journeys, it is important to remind everyone that coaches will leave departure points on time even if guests on the list have not arrived. Please arrive to the coach(es) to check in at least 10 minutes before the departure time. Thank you.
Our coaches will be labelled Clan Strachan, provided by Peace Coaches. The meeting point at Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel will be outside St. Magnus House on Guild Street AB11 6NF. The meeting point at the Loch Kinord Hotel will be in the car park to the rear.
Insurance:
Please note, all participants take part in the various activities at their own risk and therefore we strongly advise that each participant takes out their own appropriate insurances.
Airport Transfers:
We will contact those guests individually that have booked airport transfers. Please keep an eye out for an email from us in the coming weeks. This will explain pick up points and times.
Things to Pack:
Scotland’s weather can be changeable! We have booked the sunshine, but would suggest warm coats, suitable wet weather clothing and footwear as well as sunglasses and sun protection too! 😊 We have included notes beside any activities below that require special attention and we hope this is of some further help.
A huge thanks from our whole team and we can’t wait to meet you all.
George and Jen x
George Walker OBE
Jenny Walker
Itinerary
Monday 29th July 2024 - The Lady of Strachan Welcome Tour
08:30 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
09:45 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 16:30 Loch Kinord Hotel and 17:30 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel.
(For guests taking part in the hike, there are some useful online resources that offer advice – this is one we found about equipment and clothing checklists: https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/day-hiking-checklist.html )
Tuesday 30th July 2024 - The Water of Life Whisky Trail
07:30 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
08:30 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 18:30 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel and 19:30 Loch Kinord Hotel.
(This is a longer day for our guests taking part in this activity and therefore packed lunches will be provided and further refreshments will be available to purchase from the Distilleries on the tour. Please feel free to bring snacks for the latter part of the day too if you wish.)
Tuesday 30th July 2024 – Royal Tour
08:30 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
09:30 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 16:30 Loch Kinord Hotel and 17:30 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel.
Tuesday 30th July 2024 - High Tea in the Town House
11:45 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
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12:50 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 16:10 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel and 17:10 Loch Kinord Hotel.
Wednesday 31st July 2024 - The Derbhfine (Strachan Family Convention)
INVITED GUESTS ONLY
09:30 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
10:30 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 16:30 Loch Kinord Hotel and 17:30 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel.
Wednesday 31st July 2024 - Sir Alexander Strachan Trail
08:30 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
09:30 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 16:00 Loch Kinord Hotel and 17:00 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel.
(At lunchtime a range of cafes, shops and restaurants can be found in the village of Banchory for our guests to purchase food. However, please feel free to bring your own packed lunches and snacks for the journey too if you wish.)
Wednesday 31st July 2024 – Highland Hoolie
18:40 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
19:00 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
Coaches will depart to return to each hotel at 00:00.
(CHANGE OF LOCATION. We are delighted to have secured one of Aberdeenshire’s most favourite venues for this celebration, Inverurie’s ‘The Drouthy Laird’ AB51 3QT. Dress code: formal. Guests encouraged to don their tartan for an unforgettable night at The Highland Hoolie! Prize will be awarded to the best dressed member of Clan Strachan!)
Thursday 1st August 2024 - Clan Strachan Mini Highland Games
09:30 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
10:30 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 15:30 Loch Kinord Hotel and 16:30 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel.
(For those travelling by car, please note this activity will take place at Deeside Activity Park AB34 5BD. Please wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for outdoor activities on uneven ground. Please bring waterproof jackets in case of inclement weather conditions.)
Friday 2nd August 2024 - The Water of Life Whisky Trail
07:30 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
08:30 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 18:30 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel and 19:30 Loch Kinord Hotel.
(This is a longer day for our guests taking part in this activity and therefore packed lunches will be provided and further refreshments will be available to purchase from the Distilleries on the tour. Please feel free to bring snacks for the latter part of the day too if you wish.)
Friday 2nd August 2024 – Royal Tour
08:30 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
09:30 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 16:30 Loch Kinord Hotel and 17:30 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel.
Saturday 3rd August 2024 - Aboyne Highland Games
09:00 - Coaches depart the Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel
10:00 - Coaches depart the Loch Kinord Hotel
Estimated return times will be approximately 16:30 Loch Kinord Hotel and 17:30 Leonardo Aberdeen City Hotel.