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We then streamed home to allow time to get to our various hostelries and prepare for the dinner to be held in a huge windowed marquee in the grounds of the Tomich Hotel. Car parking had been arranged in an adjoining field and, on arrival we were met by Ian McGugan and Jim Kinnaird, who were officiating as car park attendants, brollies at the ready. In the event of rain they would have escorted people to the marquee. From 6.45pm about 200 people were individually greeted by the Chairman, David Murray, Secretary Doreen McGugan and Heather Avis, before proceeding to their seats. The marquee looked splendid, the walls decorated with GRC of Scotland banners and a multitude of national flags as a compliment to our overseas friends. The tables looked most attractive with blue napkins, blue vases containing golden flowers, depicting the Club’s colours, and bottles of red and white wine and Highland water.




Jim's voice had recovered with a rest, after the sterling work of the afternoon. He welcomed everyone in true Scottish tradition, being extremely amusing which set the scene for a really jolly evening. Ian Muir, the Catering Manager from Inverness, was introduced; he and his catering team were to provide us with a truly scrumptious meal. He, too, had a tremendous sense of fun and could get together with Jim to form a duo comedy act. After a few words from the Club's President, Sir Robert Spencer Nairn, including a warm welcome to guests and congratulations to the Executive Committee for all their hard work, the well dressed ladies and gentlemen of the Committee were photographed by Lynn, the men particularly resplendent in their kilts. Next came the awards for the winners of the afternoon's events. The Haggis hurling had joint winners throwing a magnificent 67 feet, Wayne McGrath of Australia and Gordon Kipps of England, the tug-of war by England, and the scurry was won in an exteremely fast time of 12.4 seconds by Lorna McFadzen's SHOW BRED Ceilcaesar Zeta. This was her first attempt at such an event and her success shows that show bred dogs can be as fast or faster than their working cousins.



Then, what we had all been waiting for, scotch broth followed by a superb buffet, salmon (scottish of course), chicken, coronation chicken and gammon supplemented with salads, pastas and vegetables. The extensive sweet menu was amazing and delicious, rounded off with coffee and mints. To feed over 200 souls including an overflow in the hotel, having brought the meal from Inverness, must have been quite a feat and the caterers certainly rose to the challenge. While the meal was in progress, Jim went from table to table, asking our overseas visitors to introduce themselves. They gave their name, kennel name and nationality, most saying how happy and thrilled they were to be present. As each person finished speaking there was a huge round of applause. The visitors were from all around the world, Australia, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Sweden, and a large contingent from the USA. The menu had a space for names of guests and Fiona enjoyed getting a great many signatures after the dinner and the following day.




There then followed a short speech from Mrs Jessie Harrow of Dingwall, whose grand-father Duncan MacLennan, was Head Gamekeeper and Stalker to Lord Tweedmouth. She dwelt more on the Christian side of his life than his work with dogs and afterwards a number of people approached her to say how much her words had been appreciated. In a book called "We Twa" writen by Lord Tweedmouth's daughter, Ishbel, and her husband Lord Aberdeen, she recalls how Duncan was loved by all the Tweedmouth family. I was pleased that Jim had taken up my suggestion that Jessie be invited. Valerie Foss and I had journeyed to see her in Dingwall a few years ago, she had been so hospitable and had given us previously unseen historical photographs of dogs from Guisachan. After a short break, the dancing began, the first being the Gay Gordons. Sir Robert and Lady Nairn, took to the floor accompanied by another couple and Frank and I. For us it was a nostalgic moment, as we had met Scottish Country Dancing. A few dances later, there was a demonstration by a group of Scottish Dancers which was very special, so light on their feet and smiling broadly. The Strath then reverberated to Disco type music, the lights were dimmed and the floor became crowded, what a fantastic evening everyone had enjoyed. A fitting finale to a fabulous day. By the time most people had left Tomich, the heavens opened once more, how lucky we had been to remain dry.




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