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BURNETT GATHERING 30th July to 6th August 2017

The 2017 Burnett Gathering includes events and activities which should

appeal to Burnetts of all ages. There will be a number of new excursions and options for those

who have been to previous Gatherings.

The Gathering will comprise of a Long and a Short Visit.

A number of items will be included in the package charge and others remain optional.

Items marked (N) will not be included in the packages.

Accommodation can be arranged be at the Self Catering Villas and Apartments

at the Inchmarlo Resort in Banchory (N)

Details of suggested alternative accommodation can be found in the notes below.

THE LONG VISIT Sunday 30th July - Sunday 6th August

DAY ONE

Monday 31st July

Guided Tour of Ballindalloch Castle and Culloden Battlefield (N)

Evening

Family History Supper/Lecture (N)

*****

DAY TWO

Tuesday 1st August

Guided tour of Arbroath Abbey and St Andrews including a visit to

Iain Burnett the Highland Chocolatier (N)

Evening

Heraldry Supper/Lecture (N)

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THE SHORT VISIT Wednesday 2nd - Sunday 6th August

DAY THREE

Wednesday 2nd August

Guided Tours of Crathes Castle

Visit to the Crannog on the Loch of Leys

Burnett Luncheon

Scottish Country Dancing Classes and Ceilidh Workshops (N)

Go-Ape Treetop Adventure (N)

Visit to Kemnay House, home of the Burnetts of Kemnay (N)

Evening

Scottish Theatrical Production at Woodend Banchory

*****

DAY FOUR

Thursday 3rd August

Guided walk up Scolty Hill overlooking Banchory

Journey on the Deeside Railway

Guided Tour of Crathes Gardens

Scottish Country Dancing Classes and Ceilidh Workshops (N)

Croquet on the lawn at Crathes Castle (Annual inter-clan match)

Leys Estate Tour

Battlegrounds Paintball or Wilderness Challenge (N)

Evening

Ghostly Tour of Crathes Castle

*****

DAY FIVE

Friday 4th August

Choice of Local Guided Tours

Tour 1: Deeside

Craigievar Castle * Drum Castle * Blairs Museum

Tour 2: South

Fettercairn Distillery * Edzell Castle * Dunnottar Castle

Lewis Grassic Gibbon Centre

Tour 3: Historical Aberdeen

Trinity Hall * The Town House * Mitchell Hall * The Grant Room

Evening

*Free time*

*****

DAY SIX

Saturday 5th August

Aboyne Highland Games with lunch at the Burnett Tent

Evening

Grand Traditional Ceilidh

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EVERY DAY ACTIVITIES

Access to Crathes Castle, Gardens and Grounds

Golf at Inchmarlo (N)

Salmon Fishing on the River Dee (N)

Evening Hunting with the Leys Estate Gamekeeper (N)

(N) Events and Activities not included in package charges.

Any additions or necessary changes will be posted on the website Burnett Website or advise to

those who have expressed an interest in attending.

*****

DETAILS OF PROGRAMME

Transport will be provided to and from Inchmarlo/Banchory and Crathes for all Events and

Activities and included in any charges. There may also be transport available from Glasgow on

Sunday 30th July and returning on Sunday August 6th.

Accommodation can be arranged in the 2 & 3 bedroom Self Catering Villas and Apartments at

the Inchmarlo Resort. A catering delivery service to the accommodation is provided by the

nearby Golf Centre (Tee Room Restaurant).

LONG VISIT Our Guide for Monday and Tuesday will be Elma McMenemy, a Blue Badge Scottish Tourist

Guide for 30 years and Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire’s ‘Hospitality Hero’ of 2015/6. She has a

great interest in genealogy, has qualified in Ancestral Tourism and has guided very many

visitors seeking their roots and wanting to follow in their ancestors’ footsteps. She aims not

only to interpret the countryside, towns and villages we pass through but also bring alive the

history of the area and Scotland with factual information and to entertain with appropriate

anecdotes.

DAY ONE

Monday 31st July

Guided tour to include Ballindalloch Castle and Culloden Battlefield (N)

Did your forebears fight at Culloden (for either side)? If so, this tour is for you. The route heads

north through the ancient Forbes and Gordon lands and over the mountains, passing The

Glenlivet Distillery and into Grant country and beyond to Culloden Battlefield. We return

towards Aberdeen passing Huntly, ancient seat of the Gordons.

Ballindalloch Castle is the home to the Macpherson-Grant

family since 1546 and is still their family home today. This

gives it a very special ‘lived-in’ atmosphere. Among the

antiques and family heirlooms are Scotland’s largest

collection of fine Spanish paintings, lovely china and many

silver trophies won by the Ballindalloch Aberdeen Angus

herd, the oldest in existence. There will be time to tour the

castle, have a cup of coffee and walk in the beautiful

gardens.

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Culloden Battlefield: Experience the Battle through the ‘battle

immersion film’ and exhibits in the visitor centre and view the

battlefield from the rooftop terrace. There will be time to walk

onto the battlefield and view some of the memorial stones.

This can be expected to be an emotional visit, particularly for

those who know their ancestors were injured or perished here.

Lunch will be included.

*****

DAY TWO

Tuesday 1st August

Guided tour to Arbroath Abbey and St Andrews

including a visit to Iain Burnett’s Highland Chocolatier (N)

This tour offers an insight into Scotland’s early history. The route is over the Grampian

Mountains to Stonehaven and follows the North Sea coast to Arbroath. Angus is known as the

Birthplace of Scotland, in part because of the Declaration of Arbroath, a document believed to

form the basis of the USA’s Declaration of Independence. We continue south through Dundee

and across the Tay Bridge to Fife and St Andrews and return via Dundee.

Arbroath Abbey was founded in 1178 by King William I ‘The

Lion’ who was buried here in 1214. In 1320 the Declaration

of Independence, countering the English Edward II’s claims

over Scotland and signed by Scottish nobles, barons and

freemen, was dispatched from the Abbey to Pope John XXII.

Included will be a short walking tour of St Andrews with our Blue Badge Guide.

There is a chocolate tasting with Iain Burnett, The Highland Chocolatier, in his St Andrews shop.

There will be free time in St Andrews to explore, perhaps

visit St Andrews Castle and Cathedral ruins), the British

Golf Museum or even take a photo outside the Royal and

Ancient clubhouse. St Andrews is a pleasant, compact

town with many small independent shops for those who

may prefer to do some shopping here. Lunch will not be

included.

Heraldy Evening with supper (N)

Charles Burnett, the Ross Herald

Family History Evening with supper (N)

Charles Burnett, the Ross Herald

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SHORT VISIT DAY THREE

Wednesday 2nd August

Guided Tours of Crathes Castle

These will include a special tour for younger members of the Gathering

Visit to the Crannog on the Loch of Leys

An essential visit to the Loch of Leys to set foot on the Crannog, the man -made island on

which the Burnetts lived in the 14th century before they built Crathes Castle.

Burnett Luncheon.

A special welcome from the Burnett Family

Scottish Country Dancing Classes and Ceilidh Workshops (N)

Isobel McMillan will provide tuition for some easy Ceilidh and Country dances to

allow greater enjoyment of Saturday’s Grand Traditional Ceilidh.

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Visit to Kemnay House (N)

Home of the Burnetts of Kemnay. We will be welcomed by the resident family member,

Alexandra Burnett (N)

Go-Ape Treetop Adventure (N)

Take to the trees and speed down the zip slides as part of an exciting course of rope

bridges, Tarzan swings and crossings high above the forest floor.

£26 (aged 16+) and £20 (aged 10–15). Minimum height for participants 1.4m (4’ 6”)

Third Degree Burns: Theatrical Production

A hilariously funny musical farce at Woodend Banchory with Buffet Supper.

The programme will include some items to accompany the principal performance.

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DAY FOUR

Thursday August 3rd

Guided walk up Scolty Hill

Scolty Hill is a small hill with a magnificent view overlooking Banchory. The special feature is

the tower which was built in 1840 as a memorial to General William Burnett.

Journey on the Deeside Railway

The Royal Deeside Railway is a standard gauge steam and diesel hauled heritage railway, in a

beautiful setting running alongside the River Dee and is of historical significance. The return

journey lasts about 20 minutes. At the Milton of Crathes, there is a railway carriage tearoom

and a shop with ice creams etc. in addition to the Milton Gallery, Restaurant and Shops

Battlegrounds Paintball (N)

An adrenaline fuelled 3 hour session amongst the heather, silver birch and scots pine Leys

Estate woodlands. The sites include one of infamous Trench warfare with its network of

trenches, bridges and watchtowers. Suitable for 12 years and over (£26)

Also Wilderness Challenge, an activity which involves a competitive wilderness based challenge

incorporating shelter building, hunting for resources and making a cup of pine needle tea.

Suitable for 8 years and over (£20). Activities can also include Archery, Laser Tag and Bubble

Football - 8 years and above £20.

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Scottish Country Dancing Classes and Ceildih Workshops (N)

As for Wednesday

Leys Estate Tours

There are a number of projects and developments on the Leys Estate which may be of interest

to visitors. A list of these will be made available on arrival and interest established.

Croquet on the Lawn at Crathes Castle

The Annual Inter-Clan Match

The famous Crathes Castle Croquet Lawn will be available during the day with guidance and

tuition from the Crathes Croquet Club and Bob Burnett, former British Croquet Champion. A

team, maybe more than one, will be selected for the Annual Inter- Clan match in the evening.

Refreshments will be provided for players and spectators.

Evening

Guided Ghostly Tour of Crathes Castle.

Young and old will be able to explore the castle in the evening and hear of the ghostly activities

of the past.

Visitors will be free to make their own lunch and supper arrangements

*****

DAY FIVE

Friday August 4th

Choice of Three Guided Local tours

Tour 1: Deeside

Drum Castle * Blairs Museum * Craigievar Castle

Drum Castle is the ancestral home of the Irvines. William Irvine and Alexander Burnett were

granted lands by King Robert the Bruce in the 14th century and the two families have lived as

good neighbours ever since. David Irvine of Drum will assist with the guiding.

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Blairs Museum is housed in part of the former

national junior seminary and offers a unique insight

into Scotland's Catholic history and heritage with

spectacular collections spanning more than 500

years with a magnificent collection of paintings,

church textiles, sacred silver and Jacobite

memorabilia belonging to the Scottish Roman

Catholic Church including famous portraits of Mary

Queen of Scots and Stuart family.

Lunch will be provided

Craigievar Castle is an iconic tower house,

amongst the best preserved and the most loved

in Scotland. The Forbes family lived in the castle

for 350 years and has much in common with

Crathes. The castle is home to a fine collection of

family portraits and original plaster ceilings. There

is also much original Jacobean woodwork and

some beautiful furniture, including the 'Craigievar

table'. The great tower stands just as it did when

completed in 1626. Surrounding the castle are

extensive parkland grounds with two way-marked

walks. There is also a small Victorian kitchen

garden and a Scottish glen garden.

*****

Tour 2: South

Fettercairn Distillery * Edzell Castle

Lewis Grassic Gibbon Centre * Dunnottar Castle

Fettercairn Distillery: Founded in 1824 by Sir

Alexander Ramsay, whose father started life as

Alexander Burnett and grandson of Sir Thomas

Burnett of Leys. Here we’ll have a distillery

tour, taste one of the distillery’s single malt

whiskies and have the opportunity to buy

whiskies and souvenirs

Edzell Castle: Originally the stronghold of the

Stirlings of Glenesk, who were later replaced by the

Crawford Lindsays. In the early 1600s the Laird Sir

David Lindsay created ‘the pleasance’, a wonderful

formal garden which we can visit; the bedding

plants are usually at their best in early August.

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The Grassic Gibbon Centre in Arbuthnott, which celebrates the life and writing of Lewis Grassic

Gibbon, pen-name of James Leslie Mitchell, author of A Scots Quair, a trilogy set in The Mearns

and which includes Sunset Song, inspiration for the recent film of the same name.

Lunch will be provided here

Dunnottar Castle (Dùn Fhoithear - "fort on the

shelving slope"), is a ruined medieval fortress

located upon a rocky headland near Stonehaven

The surviving buildings are largely of the 15th and

16th centuries, but the site is believed to have been

fortified in the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has

played a prominent role in the history of Scotland

through to the 18th-century Jacobite risings

because of its strategic location and defensive

strength. Dunnottar is best known as the place

where the Honours of Scotland, the Scottish crown jewels, were hidden from Oliver Cromwell's

invading army in the 17th century. The property of the Keiths from the 14th century, and the

seat of the Earl Marischal, Dunnottar declined after the last Earl forfeited his titles by taking

part in the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. The castle has been partly restored

Owned for centuries by the Keith Earls Marischal, Dunnottar and was held briefly by the

Burnetts . The visit is an unforgettable experience in a truly stunning setting. This tour offers

particular interest not only for Burnetts but also Keiths, Arbuthnotts and Lindsays. The route

follows one of the lower passes over the Grampian mountains to the North Sea coast at

Stonehaven, once home of the Barclays of Ury. There is a 15 minute walk to the Castle but it

can be viewed and the history described from a view pointy for those who would prefer to avoid

the walk.

We return to Banchory via historic Cairn o’ Mount, one of the highest passes over the Grampian

Mountains

*****

Tour 3: Historical Aberdeen

Guided by Charles Burnett, the Ross Herald

The interior of Trinity Hall, the home of the seven incorporated trades and is indeed one of

Aberdeen’s hidden gems, and filled with heraldic wonders. Also included are The Mitchell Hall.

The Grant Room, the former Court Room in Marischal College and the Town Hall, the

impressive Neo-Gothic Town House dates from the 1870 building which incorporates elements

of the previous Town House and Tolbooth and reflects the wealth of the merchant city of 19th

century Aberdeen. The Aberdeen visit will be an enlightening and memorable experience. Being

in the heart of Aberdeen, there will be a prolonged lunch break with time for options for

shopping or further sightseeing with Charles Burnett. Lunch will be provided.

Evening

Free Time

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DAY SIX

Saturday 5th August

Aboyne Highland Games with Lunch at the Burnett Tent

Visitors must be responsible for admission to the Games Field (N)

Evening

Grand Ceilidh

Highland Dancing, Singing, Bothy Ballads, Piping, Fiddle and Accordion music and Scottish

Country Dancing for all with traditional Ceilidh fare

*****

EVERY DAY ACTIVITIES

Access to Crathes Castle, Gardens and Grounds.

Visitors have access to Crathes Castle, Gardens and Grounds at all opening times

Salmon Fishing on the Dee (N)

Throughout the week, Salmon Fishing is available

on the River Dee. The estate Ghillies will be on-

hand to give such guidance as is required. All

fishing equipment and transport between

Crathes Castle and the river can be provided.

There are two Ghillies who will be available to

assist and instruct. Maximum number of rods

that can fish at any time is four. Charge will be

£25 per half day (3 hours). Any person taking a

rod can be accompanied by others, but only one

can fish at any one time.

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Evening Hunting with the Gamekeeper (N)

Hunting parties of up to three persons will be

accompanied by the Gamekeeper, Craig

Henshaw. Roe Deer will be viewed and, if

suitable, maybe shot from a tree platform.

Evening hunting usually includes rabbiting with a

lamp. Lamping can also include calling foxes

which are regarded as vermin. Badgers may also

be seen at night but are protected. Viewing

expectancy is high but cannot be guaranteed

(£25 per person)

Golf at Inchmarlo (N)

Throughout the week, the Inchmarlo Golf Course,

Driving Range and facilities, including clubs and

trolleys, will be available at special rates. Golf at

Inchmarlo is operated by the Paul Lawrie team and

coaching is available if required.

*****

Notes

Eileen Bailey, our Historian and Genealogist will be in attendance and pleased to discuss

any family history or genealogy related subjects. She will be accompanied by her husband

Bill.

Meals (including wine and soft drinks) will be provided only where indicated above.

Cafés/Restaurants will always be available for normal meal times. There is a catering

delivery service for the Inchmarlo Villas and Apartments and a restaurant at the close by

Golf Centre where breakfast will also be available.

• All those attending the Gathering will be met or contacted on arrival and provided with

further details, passes, maps and any other relevant information.

• At previous Gatherings, there have been requests to have kilts made from the Burnett

Tartan. Measurements can be sent in advance and fitting and completion on arrival. If

this is of interest please advise 6 months before the Gathering.

Charges are inclusive of VAT and other than indicated, the package charges include

local transport and all charges for all events and activities, meals where indicated in the

detailed programme, all gratuities and guides. There will be no charge for cancellations

before 31st March 2017. After that date, there may be an appropriate charge. Items

marked (N) in the details above will not be included in the packages

Adult £345

Aged 10–16 inclusive £260

Under 10 Free

The programme includes some optional activities and events which are not included in

the package charge. To assist with transport and other arrangements, and when the

number of gathering guests is known, all guests will be contacted to establish individual

interest in the options. Further events may be possible when numbers and ages are

known.

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The programme is provisional. If there are changes to the programme, appropriate

amendments to the charges will be made.

The package charge does not include accommodation which can be arranged at the Self

Catering 2 & 3 bedroom Villas and Apartments at The Inchmarlo Resort, Banchory. The

charge at Inchmarlo per twin room per night is £65 which includes a welcome basic food

package.

For those wishing not to stay at Inchmarlo, the following may be of interest.

Burnett Arms Hotel

Email: theburnett@btconnect.com

Telephone: 44 (0) 1330 824944

Tor-na-coille Hotel

Email: info@tornacoille.com

Telephone: 44 (0) 1330 822242

Raemoir Hotel

Email: hotel@raemoir.com

Telephone: 44 (0) 1330 824884

Douglas Arms Hotel

Website: Email: enquiries@douglasarms.co.uk

Telephone: 44 (0) 1330 822547

Banchory Lodge Hotel

Email: enquiries@banchorylodge.com

Telephone: 44 (0) 1330 822626

For any further information or assistance with any of the above, please contact:

James Burnett of Leys Estate (Fiona Lees)

Banchory Business Centre

Burn O' Bennie Road

Banchory

Scotland. AB31 5ZU

Email: info@leysestate.co.uk