The Royal Month. 15 - 31 July, 2006
The Queen and Her Consort vacate Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle at the end of July and move to Balmoral Castle in Scotland for their annual summer vacation. The Buckingham Palace State Rooms are opened to the public during this time. Members of the Royal Family are normally prominent at various July events such as Henley Royal Regatta, the Great Yorkshire Show, the Polo International Day and the Sandringham Flower Show on the Royal Estate, which the late Queen Mother made her own.
Royal Insight Full list of Royal Engagements for the year compiled by the Buckingham Palace Press Office
The Prince of Wales Official weekly diary of Royal Engagements for the Prince of Wales and his family.
The Royal Collection Visitor information, opening hours and online booking for the Royal Palaces, Residences and Queen's Galleries.
Royal Pageantry
Buckingham Palace State Rooms
Date; 26 July - 24 September, 2006.
Venue: Buckingham Palace, Westminster, SW1A 1AA, London.
Description: Summer opening of the State Rooms and Gardens of Buckingham Palace to the public. The State Rooms form the heart of the working palace and are lavishly furnished with some of the finest treasures from the Royal Collection - paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Poussin, Canaletto; sculpture by Canova; exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain, and some of the finest English and French furniture in the world. The Palace's 39-acre garden is an oasis for wildlife, and visitors can enjoy a garden walk that offers superb views of the Garden Front of the Palace and the 19th-century lake.To celebrate The Queen's 80th birthday, the largest ever exhibition of Her Majesty's evening dresses and personal jewellery will go on display; charting royal fashion from the 1940s to the present day, created by British couturiers Norman Hartnell and Hardy Amies, and of those designers who have worked for Her Majesty in more recent years. The selection of jewellery includes private gifts to The Queen from members of the Royal Family to mark special occasions, and some of the most famous and historic pieces in Her Majesty's collection, such as the Vladimir Tiara, the Cambridge Emerald Necklace and two brooches set with stones from the famous Cullinan Diamond.
Further Information & Tickets: Book online or buy tickets at the special temporary kiosk in Green Park opposite the Palace Gates. Wheelchair Accessible.
Getting There: Nearest Underground station: Green Park, Hyde Park Corner (Piccadilly Line).
Dress: There is no dress code.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: The Royal Horseguards Hotel An elegant and spacious Victorian building overlooking the Thames at Westminster with all the amenities and comforts one can expect from a member of the Thistle group of hotels. Special "London Weekend Break" offers and "Show me London" packages and make this an excellent option this summer.
Britannia Reservations
Swan Upping: Annual Census of the Queen's Swans
Date: 17 - 23 July, 2006.
Venue: River Thames, upstream from Sunbury to Pangbourne.
Description: Swan Upping, the annual census of the Thames swan population, takes place each year in July when the new season's fledgling cygnets have been successfully bred and survived the vicissitudes of spring. Flying The Queen's banner and wearing traditional scarlet uniform, Swan Marker David Barber is rowed upriver at the head of a colourful liveried flotilla of Thames rowing skiffs from Sunbury-on-Thames to Abingdon in Oxfordshire; a five day journey. His role is to count, measure and ring the newly hatched cygnets and ensure that the Queen's swans are healthy and not threatened by environmental factors or human agency. The Swan Warden, an Oxford professor, also ensures that the swans' health is monitored; a crucial task with the swan population under threat from avian flu brought by migrant water fowl from Europe and Asia.
Swan Upping originates from the 12th century when the birds were prized by royalty and nobility as a banqueting delicacy. As well as claiming ownership of all game in the royal hunting forests, the Crown made similar claim to all swans; a right still claimed over all unmarked swans in open water; an effective measure of conservation for the country's 30,000 indigenous mute swans which grace our waterways, (the whooper swan is a winter migrant visitor). In practice, swans no longer decorate the royal or any other banqueting table, and the Queen only exercises her ownership on parts of the River Thames and tributaries. This Thames ownership has been shared with the Vintners' and the Dyers' Livery Companies of the City of London which were granted their rights in the 15th century and exercise their right to accompany the Queen's Swan Marker on his journey in their own pennanted skiffs.
Although a traditional part of summer's Royal pageantry, the census activities of the Queen's Swan Marker and City Livery companies play a crucial role in waterways conservation and environmental education, and local schools are encouraged to participate. The Queen's Swan Marker is a respected source of advice and information on swan welfare and river wildlife.
Unauthorized killing and eating of a swan is still illegal but will no longer result in your being branded or maimed, (13th century); deported to the Caribbean sugar plantations, (18th century); or sentenced to prison with hard labour, (19th century).
Further Information: Schools and groups wishing to participate in the census should contact the Swan Marker's office. Tel: 01628 523030. Subject to change, the Swan Marker's census schedule is as follows:-
Day 1. Monday
Sunbury Lock 09.00 (Departure point)
Shepperton Lock 10.45
Penton hook Lock 12.30
Romney Lock 17.30
Day 2. Tuesday
Eton Bridge 09.15 (Departure point)
Boveney Lock 10.15
Boulters Lock 13.30
Marlow Lock 17.45
Day 3. Wednesday
Marlow Bridge 09.30 (Departure point)
Hurley Lock 10.30
Hambledon Lock 11.45
Henley Town 13.30
Marsh Lock 16.30
Day 4. Thursday
Sonning Bridge 09.00 (Departure point)
Caversham Lock 10.30
Mapledurham Lock 12.45
Goring Lock 17.30
Day 5. Friday
Moulsford 09.00 (Departure point)
Benson Lock 10.15
Culham Lock 16.00
Abingdon Bridge 17.15
Tickets: No tickets are needed. Just turn up at lock or bridge and enjoy the spectacle. The most picturesque spots to view the passing flotilla are on days 2 and 3 at Eton, Marlow and Henley, or from the deck of a hired boat.
Dress: Casual.
Accommodation: Macdonald Compleat Angler. This historic 400 year old hostelry overlooking the weir near the lock at Marlow has been patronized by generations of Thames leisure enthusiasts and gourmets and has even been the venue for a Hungarian State Dinner for The Queen. Luxury en-suite rooms with balconies overlooking the river, Pimms or cocktails served on the river terrace or lawn and superb dining in the award winning restaurant assure this an accolade for Courtesy, Comfort and Cuisine from Britannia - and a return visit from you.
Fleur-de-Lys Hotel 3-Star coziness in ye olde coaching inn nestled in sleepy, mediaeval Dorchester-on-Thames near Goring. Highlight of village life here is the sound of ye olde church clock tolling the midnight hour! En-suite rooms with sloping, oak-beamed ceilings for £75 per night per room including ye hearty yeoman's breakfast.
Kris Cruisers. Self-drive rental boats or luxury cruisers for day, weekend or longer vacations are available. Waterway vacation enthusiasts will hire a cabin cruiser for a leisurely vacation. The Thames is particularly beautiful on this stretch and well endowed with picturesque riverside pubs and restaurants.
Take a copy of Jerome K.Jerome's Three Men in a Boat with you for bedside reading.
Britannia Reservations
Horticultural Shows
125th Sandringham Flower Show
Date: 26 July, 2006.
Venue:Sandringham Park, Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6EN.
Description: An increasingly important annual summer flower show in the grounds of the Queen's favoured English country retreat. Members of the Royal Family, (notably the late Queen mother), enjoy visiting this charming show to support their neighbours and local charities. Do visit the house when it is open, (not on this date unfortunately), built in 1870 by the Prince and Princess of Wales, later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. There are 247 rooms and 60 acres of grounds on the estate which recommend themselves to a longer visit. Take time to see the museum with displays of Royal life and estate history. House and facilities are totally accessible for wheelchair users. You may follow two nature trails and make use of a visitor's centre, restaurants and shop.
Further Information & Tickets: Contact Sandringham Estate Cottage Horticultural Society Trust, York stables Cottage, Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6EB; Tel: 01485 540860. Tickets are sold at the gate. Show proceeds to charity. Wheelchair accessible and facilities. For general information about the estate and contact, check the website.
Getting There: In Norfolk just north of King's Lynn. Check out directions on the Estate's website.
Dress: Smart country clothing.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: Garden House. Stay in one of the Queen's cottages on her estate! Garden House, once the Head Gardener's abode, overlooks the ornamental garden beside Sandringham House. The house has four bedrooms, sleeping 8, and an AGA stove. Rental from upwards of about £571 per week. Details, photos and booking enquiries online.
Britannia Reservations
Polo
The Polo season lasts from beginning of May until September but July marks the sport's most important month. Matches take place across England at major clubs including the Beaufort, Cowdray Park, Cirencester Park, Epsom, Guards, Ham, Stoneliegh, Park and Tidworth. There are in fact a total of 32 major grounds in England and two in Scotland catering for some 50 clubs plus 40 Schools and 23 Universities which now compete in fixtures and at national tournaments as participating members.
Polo's governing body in Britain is the Hurlingham Polo Association. The Association's website has details of all UK clubs, fixtures, tournaments and news. The International Women's Polo Association, based at Ascot Park Polo Club, now has representatives in 33 countries worldwide and is involved in the organization of 10 International tournaments. Its website gives full details of its activities.
The Schools & Universities Polo Association organizes training and tournaments for the 40 member schools and 23 member universities.
Apart from horse racing, Polo is the most favoured of the Royal Family's sporting pastimes. Their support is reflected in the social composition of clubs across the country. The Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales have both been active players as are now Prince William and Prince Harry. Prince Charles still manages to captain his own Highgrove side occasionally, playing charity matches. July is the high-goal Polo month of the year. It includes the British Open Championship played at Cowdray Park for the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup and the year's biggest match, the Coronation Cup, sponsored by Cartier and played at the Guards Polo Club, Windsor Great Park.
Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup Tournament
Date: 22 - 23 July, 2006.
Venue: Cowdray Park Polo Club, Midhurst, West Sussex GU29 OAQ
Description: The world's most sought-after polo prize, with the finest teams competing over three weeks for the prestigious Gold Cup, during which 40-plus matches are played. The winning team, ("four") will gain international fame. The finals weekend, 22/23 July, will attract members of the Royal Family as well as nobility, actors and media figures. The tradition and country house feel of this venue add to the event's charm: The glossy social magazine Tatler has said that Cowdray is one of the top clubs in the country yet still retains the inimitable style of English country-house polo"
Further Information & Tickets: The best way to see the polo is as a non-playing member, although you do not need to be a member to attend. Benefits of membership, (2006 fee: £155 first year, £125 thereafter), include free entry to all the summer polo at Cowdray Park including the Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup; access to the Members' Enclosure with two guests; a car pass; and invitations to social events and much more. For full details and online booking see website. There are also ample corporate-hospitality opportunities. Packages include a private fully lined marquee in a prime position close to the polo ground, champagne reception and private garden enclosure. See website for contact details.
Getting There: Cowdray Park lies at the foot of the South Downs about 90 minutes drive from central London. Once at Midhurst, head almost a mile east on the A272 and follow the signs.
Dress: Inside the Members' Enclosure, men should wear a jacket and tie, and ladies should wear dresses or long skirts. Take binoculars and (weather permitting) sunglasses
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: There are three excellent neighbourhood options.
The Spread Eagle Hotel. Comfortable rooms and an attractive health spa. Described by poet Hilaire Belloc as "..that oldest and most revered of all the prime inns of this world ..."
The Angel Hotel. A historic 16th century coaching inn, with much interior architectural interest (Tudor beams, open fireplaces, antiques in bedrooms), the hotel typifies the best of England's historic small country hotels.
Park House Hotel. A beautifully maintained, recently renovated, Victorian country house.
Britannia Reservations
36th Cartier International Polo Day
Date: 30 July, 2006
Venue: Guards Polo Club, Smith's Lawn, Windsor Great Park, Egham, Surrey TW20 OHP
Description: The Cartier International Polo Tournament, sponsored by the Hurlingham Polo Association in aid of the Polo Charity Trust, is probably the season's most glamorous polo event, frequently drawing the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and, in more recent years, Princes William and Harry. Prince Harry plays in the Prince of Wales team v. Hurlingham for the Golden jubilee Trophy in the morning and England plays New Zealand for the Coronation Cup in the afternoon. Expect Her Majesty to present the Cup. All other Polo clubs cease activities on this day and migrate to pack the augmented stands at Smith's Lawn to enjoy the polo, listen to the military bands, watch Pony Club parades and socialize in an exclusive celebrity and sporting atmosphere.
Further Information & Tickets: Guards Polo Club, Smith's Lawn, Windsor Great Park, Egham, Surrey TW20 OHP; tel: 01784 437797; fax: 01784 471336, or online at www.guardspoloclub.com Corporate hospitality packages are available, (with access to the Smith's Lawn Enclosure which is not open to the general public), from sole agent Keith Prowse
Getting There: The club is based at Smith's Lawn within the Great Park at Windsor, near the Savill and Valley Gardens. Cars should follow the M25 to Junction 13, and then take the A30 turning to Basingstoke and Camberley. Opposite the famous Wentworth Golf Club, turn right on to the A329 until you see the Seven Stars Public House on the right. Turn right into Blacknest Gate Road and drive through Windsor Great Park for one mile, to the Guards Polo Club on your right. The nearest train station is Egham (trains from London Waterloo on the Reading line). Helicopters may land by prior arrangement at Home Farm; tel: 01344 620858
Dress: This is as much a social as well as a sporting event, so expect to feel most at home in the latest high-fashion summer elegance.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: Runnymede Hotel & Spa. 4-Star accommodation with an attractive neo-classical swimming pool and sports facilities including five outdoor tennis courts and a dance studio.
Great Fosters Hotel. Immaculately preserved stately home conversion dating back to Tudor days, with accommodation ranging from 4-Star de-luxe to simple.
The Macdonald Castle Hotel. A onetime coaching inn with elegant Georgian frontage facing onto Windsor High Street in the shadow of the Castle. Fine dining and 3-Star four-poster-bedded comfort.
Britannia Reservations
Golf
British Open Golf Championship
Date: 20 - 23 July, 2006.
Venue: 2006 - Royal Liverpool, Meols Drive, Hoylake, Wirral, CH47 4AL.
(2007 - Championship Course, Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland; 2008 July 17-20 Lancashire Course, Royal Birkdale, Lancashire; 2009 July 16-19 Ailsa Course, Turnberry, Ayrshire, Scotland; 2010 July 15-18 Old Course, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland).
Description: The British Open attracts the world's top golfers and tickets are prized. The event is steeped in history. The first British Open tournament was played over three rounds of Prestwick's 12 hole course in 1860 at the initiative of the Earl of Eglinton and Colonel James Fairlie. By 1894 other courses were added to the rota.
Further Information & Tickets: Check out the official website, contact the club hosting the tournament for the year, (see above), or write to The Open Championship, Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 9JD, Scotland. Tel: 01334 472 112. Fax: 01334 475 483. Book online at the official website.
Getting there: Details on the website.
Dress: No dress code unless you have a member's badge for a private enclosure.
Accommodation:Contact the host club for recommendations.
Britannia Reservations
Regattas
Scandia Cowes Week
Date: 29 July - 5 August, 2006.
Venue: Cowes, Isle of Wight and Solent.
Cowes Yacht Haven. Cowes Week Photo |
Description: Cowes hosts a number of sailing and powerboat regattas during the summer months. Highlight of the year is Scandia Cowes Week which has grown from a race between just seven yachts in 1826 to one of the most famous sailing regattas in the world; an international sporting event involving 1,000 yachts and 8,000 competitors from around the globe. Royal males have raced their yachts at what used to be known as the Cowes Royal Regatta since the future King Edward VII, (then Prince of Wales), and Kaiser Wilhelm competed there during Queen Victoria's reign.
The racing week is supported by a busy entertainment programme, esplanade and marina fair with marquees and vendors booths, and a spectacular fireworks display on the last Friday night. Visitors participate in, or watch, a multitude of races organized by the Combined Yacht clubs, under the aegis of the Royal Yacht Squadron and enter into the wildly noisy nightlife of discos, pubs and private parties.
The RYS is socially the smartest of the smart at Cowes, with The Queen as Patron and the Duke of Edinburgh as Admiral. Entry is restricted to members and guests only, though ownership of a yacht competing in the normally biennial Admiral's Cup will doubtless gain you temporary membership.
The RYS Members' Ball is the social highlight of Cowes Week, (mess kit or tails preferred, black tie accepted). A livelier and socially less rarified time can be had at the Royal London Yacht Club which gives a cocktail party and black tie ball at their esplanade premises. The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club also hosts a ball and offers temporary membership to visiting yachtsmen. The Island Sailing Club grants temporary membership badges to visitors, excellent food and liquid sustenance for nauties and their crewmates, and a fine view of the racing from their High Street premises. All the racing, with accompanying loudspeaker commentary, can be seen from the shore with start and finish lines opposite the RYS steps.
Further Information: Organisers Cowes Combined Clubs, (whose drinks parties are among the best), are at 18 Bath Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7 QN. Tel: 01983 295329. Yacht Ventures offer skippered yacht charter facilities for corporate hospitality or private munificence on a full week or day only basis with reserved berthing in the Cowes Yacht Haven.
Getting There: Seasoned sea salts and mermaids will sail their boat into Cowes yacht marina. The rest take the Red Funnel car/passenger ferry or passenger only Red Jet from Southampton to Cowes, or the Wightlinkcar/passenger ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne or Lymington to Yarmouth.
Dress: Outside the strict confines of the RYS events, dress veers from salty nautical to fashionable London casual. If you are without the gear, one of the many Cowes nautical boutiques will fit you up. Binoculars or nautical grandfather's telescope are a useful prop.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: Quay Management. Well established agency offering onshore rentals and personalized back-up services of cleaning and cooking; small hideaway apartments to large crew houses, for the duration of Cowes Week. Cowes is small and overwhelmed by competitors and spectators for both this and the previous week's event. Early booking is essential. If in difficulty call the Wight Accommodation hotline 01983 813813, email: hotline@islandbreaks.co.uk.
Britannia Reservations
Equestrian Events
Longine's Royal International Horse Show
Date: 26 - 30 July, 2006.
Venue: The All England Jumping Course, London Road, Hickstead, West Sussex RH17 5NX
Description: Britain's oldest horse show, dating from 1907. The event attracts show-jumping's greatest horses and riders. The Queen is patron and members of the Royal Family are often in attendance during the four days of eventing, showing, and international show-jumping which culminates in the prestigious King George V Gold Cup and the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Douglas Bunn, who created the All England Jumping Course at Hickstead, said his intention was "to put on the best show-jumping possible at a venue that is superior to anything found in the world". The refined crowds you will see at Hickstead each summer suggest he has succeeded in his aim.
Further Information, Tickets, Accommodation: As for British Jumping Derby Meeting.See my diary for 1 - 15 July.
Getting There: As for British Jumping Derby Meeting.
Dress: Smart.
Agricultural Show
Royal Welsh Show
Date: 24 - 27 July, 2006.
Venue: Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth, Wells LD2 3SY.
Description: This vast national agricultural show, established in 1904, incorporates exhibitions of Welsh livestock, farm machinery, horticulture, forestry and conservation, amid beautiful Welsh countryside. The show attracts up to 230,000 visitors, and has everything from shearing and sheepdogs to garden design, horseshoeing and arena displays. The show's competitions attract around 7,000 livestock entries, and it claims to have the world's largest displays of sheep breeds, Welsh ponies and cobs. The aim is on family entertainment as much as specialist agricultural business with the very best of Welsh produce, flowers, and crafts, on display. Overseas visitors are offered the hospitality of a special pavilion.
Further Information & Tickets: Check website or contact Catherine Hughes, Royal Welsh Agricultural Society, The Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells LD2 3SY. Tel: 01982 553683. Fax: 01982 553563. Email: info@rwas.co.uk. Tickets on sale at the gate @ £16 per day, (concessions). Disabled access and facilities.
Getting There: If driving from South Wales, travel by the A470 to South 1 car park and then by footbridge or bus to the Showground. From South-East Wales, travel via Gilwern and Crickhowell and then via the A479 and A470 roads to South 1 car park and then by footbridge or bus to the Showground. Motorists from North East Wales should use the A483 road via Llandrindod Wells to North 2 car park and to North 8. Those driving from Mid-Wales should use the A487 road to Capel Bangor and the A44 and A470 roads via Rhayader until they reach the North 7 car park; or, if travelling from the eastern approach of Mid-Wales, take the A481 to park in North 1 car park.
Dress: As with many of the country shows, expect to dress smartly but informally to blend in with the local rural visitors who will have made an effort for their day out.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice:: Llangoed Hall. A distinguished late-Edwardian house overlooking the Wye River designed over a Jacobean original by architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis. Owned and run by Sir Bernard and Regine Ashley of Elanbach textiles fame, it is situated 11 miles from Builth Wells, and stands where the Welsh Parliament stood 1,400 years ago. A stately dining room provides an appropriate backdrop to the culinary expertise of a chef who does wonders with the local Welsh lamb and wild salmon taken from the Wye. Enjoy his award winning cooking and the excellent wine list. This is a Hotel of world beating standard that gains the Britannia accolade for 'Courtesy, Comfort and Cuisine'. It is worth your patronage at any time of year.
Britannia Reservations
The Country Landowner's Association Game Fair
Date: 28 - 30 July, 2006.
Venue: Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire.
Description: Annual Fair organized by the Country Landowners Association to promote countryside sports, pastimes and rural crafts. This year the fair takes place again at Broadlands, the Palladian stately home of Lord Mountbatten. The Prince of Wales, who is passionately interested in maintaining the Britain's rural life, is a frequent visitor to this fair, described as the world's most extensive event catering for the interests of all country sport enthusiasts and everyone who lives, works or simply enjoys the pleasures of the countryside. It acts as an umbrella to many major shows each of which stand alone as the most comprehensive in their field - shooting, fishing, gundogs, gamekeepers/estate management and falconry. Expect some 900 exhibitors covering all these interests, plus horticulture, food and wine, art and antiques, specialist vacations. Broadlands itself is worth a visit and open to the public during July and August.
Further Information & Tickets: All details and online booking through the CLA Game Fair website or at the gate. Mobility powered scooters available. Call: 0870 126 1751. Disability facilities.
Getting There: Broadlands is 2 hours from London via the M3 and M27 motorways, situated on on the A3090 Romsey by-pass, ½ mile from Romsey town centre. Drivers should leave the M27 motorway at Junction 3 if approaching from the North and East, or Junction 2 if approaching from the West, and follow the signs to Broadlands.
Dress: Country casual.
Travelsleuth Accommodation Choice: Macdonald White Hart hotel A striking 17th Century building with an elegant classical facade situated in Salisbury's town centre opposite the mediaeval Cathedral with fine dining.
Macdonald Wessex Hotel. Overlooking Winchester's mediaeval Cathedral, resting place of Saxon kings and King Arthur's famous 'Round Table' in what was England's ancient capital. Fine dining and four-poster bedded comfort.
Britannia Reservations
Scotland. Highland Games
The Scottish Masters Championships
Date: 22 - 23 July, 2006.
Venue: Bught Park arena, Inverness, Scotland.
Photo Credit: Inverness Highland Games |
Description: This is one highland Games not to be missed! Competition entries are flooding in from Scottish expats all over the Scotland and Scottish enclaves in USA, Canada, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Australia for these 2006 Scottish Masters Championships. There is an impressive line-up of national champions competing in the individual events including Weight over the bar, Weight for distance, Shot putting, Stone putt, Braemar Stone putt, Scot's Hammer throwing, Heavy Hammer throwing, Light Hammer throwing and Tossing the caber. Add to this a lively mix of Highland Piping and Highland Dancing competitions, lowland athletics and the attractions of Tulloch's Traditional Music Tent, Scotland's biggest Clan exhibition, spectacular aerobatics, armed forces displays and a grand parade of massed pipe bands and you have the colourful recipe for a memorable two days in what, over the past decade, has become the Capital of the Highland's major summer attraction.
Further Information: Competitor's online entry form. For other enquiries contact The Inverness Highland Games Committee, The Highland Council, Education Culture and Sport (Inverness Area), The Town House, Inverness, IV1 1JJ, Scotland or use the online email facility. Registered Charities applying for free stand space should email: gerry.reynolds@highland.gov.uk
Tickets: £5, (Concessions), at the gate. Check the official website for online advance booking facilities.
Getting There: Air: Nearest airport Inverness with regular flights from major UK cities. Rail: Caledonian Sleeper train London - Inverness nightly. Road: Take the M90 from Edinburgh to Perth and the A9 from Perth through the Highlands to Inverness, passing through the most breathtaking scenery of the Cairngorms. Pause en route to see Blair Castle at Blair Atholl and the whisky distillary at Tomatin. A wee dram will help you on your way.
Dress: This is Kilt Country. Wear it!
TravelSleuth Accommodation Choice:Bunchrew House Hotel & Restaurant Relax in the impressive Baronial splendour of this converted 17th century mansion on the shores of the Moray Firth which gains the Britannia accolade for Scottish Courtesy, Comfort and cuisine. The award winning restaurant offers the best of local Scottish meat and seafood and a fine wine and Malt whisky list to complement the meal. From £87 pp per night.
Inverness Highlands List Elsewhere, Inverness offers a wide variety of accommodation from the luxurious to the cosy.
Britannia Links: Blair Castle, Blair Atholl.
Britannia Reservations
Ongoing Events
Royal Shakespeare Company. Stratford-upon-Avon summer season. Ends October.
Glyndebourne Opera Festival. 2006 Season. Ends 27 August.
Royal Academy Summer ExhibitionEnds 20 August. Featured, June Diary.
Travelsleuth's Diary Memo
Book now for the Glorious Goodwood Festival, (August); Gatcombe Park Eventing, (August); Burghley Horse Trials, (September).
|
