Highland Fling 2007 - A virgin’s view 

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We decided to go on the Highland Fling this year because of two reasons

 1)    We had never done this event before

and

2)   We had never really visited the Scottish Highlands.

 So off went the cheque and then I thought I had better look up how far it was.  Auto route told me that 569 miles was the shortest route – that’s a long way for my BMW M635 csi – still it could do with a run I thought.  So we decided to make a real holiday of it and take extra days going up and coming back to see other sights so a route was planned taking in Newcastle, Lindisfarne, Glasgow, Oban and Loch Lomond.  This article is not about that but rather the event itself.

 A week before we were to depart Gerry had unexpectedly to go into hospital for an operation.  Disaster.  The operation would mean that she would not be able to get in and out of the M635 so a hard choice had to be made – cancel or go in the RAV 4.  Well, to cut a long discussion short, the RAV 4 it was.  So off we set.

 When we arrived at the HQ for the event (Coul House) we were met with a cream tea and a jolly welcome from Fiona and Mike, the organisers, as well as the hotel’s proprietor Stuart.  Our room was elegant and well furnished with lots of space - a real treat after our Travelodge accommodation on the way up.

 Just a small touch – the room’s hospitality tray had real biscuits, 3 choices of tea and also a teapot to make that early morning cuppa.

 So after a quick wash and brush up and a read of the routes and quizzes and other things that were included in the welcome pack we went down to meet the other Bears and look over the cars (I hid ours!)  The get-together in the bar was a great way to meet the others and we quickly realised that we were not alone in making this event part of a holiday.

 The evening meal was relaxed and also a gastronomic treat.  It is worth noting here that we had chosen our meals prior to coming to the event.  This was because the hotel has a small team in the kitchen and as we were 36 in number this would have caused real problems – however the descriptions provided to us to choose from were spot on and the food was simply a great experience.  During the meal each table had to come up with a limerick including “motoring” words given to them by Mike (he is an evil man - nothing rhymes with Cobra) – this turned into a real dirty contest with bribes (donations to CHAS) being taken for hints provided by Mike.  (By the way we had Zonda).  After a chat in the bar we retired for the night.

 Breakfast was a special event as well, as we could choose from a variety of cooked breakfasts.  However for me the star was the coffee – great taste and plenty of it – this is my test of a real hotel!

 Then it was off on the first trip.  I had bought good map of the area and had marked out the route from the route instructions on it (just in case).  Today’s task from Fiona was to find the most beautiful autumn leaf – Hmm!  The route was fantastic – the leaves on the trees were changing colour and the scenery was just breathtaking.  The trip stopped at Inverewe Gardens.  Here we walked round and enjoyed the fantastic flowers and trees.

 The return to the hotel was just as beautiful.  The roads were quiet and had fantastic bends and straights.  Boy was I missing the M635 as

 trundled around in the RAV 4 –still it gave a good view over the hedges!

 We arrived back in time for a cup of tea and time to prepare for the Gala dinner – boy did we scrub up well.  The ladies looked fantastic and we blokes dusted off the dinner jackets – some even wore the kilt or tartan trews.  Stuart, the hotel owner and Chris, his Assistant Manager, even wore their kilts for the occasion.

 The dinner was out of this world – and as for the desserts – I have never seen a kitchen handle preparing and delivering so many soufflés at the same time.  Chef Garry Kenley you are a brave man!  Exhausted we crawled into bed.  How are they going to follow  that I thought?

 Next day up with the lark – well not really.  After another hearty breakfast we set off for the route to Dunrobin Castle – the Polar Bears planned to have a display here and collect some more donations for the CHAS charity.  We all got to the castle and we were joined by other classic car enthusiasts including the local MG club so we formed up in the car park and made a fine sight – lots of bears were sold and also donations were received.

 We all had a chance to look round the castle and the grounds and also attend the display of falconry, the star of which was a Blue Eagle.  It ran along a wall which caused great amusement to us all and when it came to the fist this bird talked to his handler - well it looked like that!

We all had lunch at the castle then wound our way back to the hotel via a fantastic view point at the top of The Struie.

This final evening meal was very relaxed and again of stunning quality – I must have put on a half a stone this weekend I thought as a struggled into my trousers.  After the evening meal we all met up in the lounge to hear the results of the Quiz.  It was a fiendish quiz – and not without controversy - the question on the Commando Memorial, well!  Fiona and Mike were working well and distributed various other prizes for such things as how far folk had come (Och I am even writing in Scots now) and who looked the smartest at the Gala Dinner etc.

 The organisation of this event by Fiona and Mike was faultless and their friendship and that of the other Bears made this a weekend to remember for a very long time.

 The final morning arrived – and yes we were off again – this time to see Castle Urqhart and the locks on the Caledonian Canal where we had coffee together.  The final stretch included views of the locations (the house and church) used in the Monarch of the Glen series.

 Again the views were fantastic and it was with sadness and regret that we left the others to go onto the final part of our holiday.

Would we recommend the Highland Fling to other Bears from the south – certainly - and will we go again?  Just try and stop us.  Many thanks to Fiona and Mike and also best wishes to Shaun and Shaunetta.

 By the way, the total raised for CHAS over the weekend was £482.60 in addition to the £900 donated by participants in lieu of entrance fees.  Since then a cheque for a further £250 has been received from the Highland MG Owners’ Club.  Members of The Mandate Chapter and the Jeanne D’arc Lodge in London, both of which I am a member, have donated £223 and £130 respectively.  A topped-up cheque for £1,250 will now be presented to CHAS.

                                                David Marsh

Footnote:  I have to congratulate David on having persuaded his fellow Masons to “sponsor” him on the Highland Fling Tour.  Upon his return he had to recall his bravery in the face of being forced to consume gourmet meals, drink champagne, drive on wonderful traffic-free roads and generally be in the company of 35 other like-minded Bears.  He did however also do a presentation on the work of CHAS which had obviously been well received for them to have been so generous.  Many thanks for your sterling effort.