HERKES HERKESS HERCUS HARKES HARCUS HARKESS

“Hercus” Gathering 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th August 2011

Hi everyone,

I’m Neil Spacinsky your MC for the “Hercus” Gathering next August at Carfraemill, Scotland and I’m sending you this follow up email on behalf of the team that is coordinating all arrangements.  The Gathering continues to generate steam and momentum, and is certainly creating worldwide interest.  We have now reached a point where it is only about 9 months away, so it is time to finalise the activities.

 

As previously mentioned, the Gathering is set to take place in the Lodge at Carfraemill.  As assurance, two of our Team members have personally been to the Lodge to check and confirm its suitability for the Gathering.  

DRESS

While casual attire will be acceptable throughout most events, Friday evening will be the closing Banquet.  The Ladies will no doubt want to look their best at dinner so suitable semi-formal evening attire is recommended for this event.

SCOTTISH ATTIRE

Will be welcomed throughout but it is not in any way a must. (If you feel good in a kilt or tartan sash, go for it). The “Hercus” folk did not form part of any Clan, but were mainly tradesmen serving the people as needed.

We could have designed our own Tartan by having a Tartan woven especially for us, but this would work out to be extremely expensive.  As such, we have adopted the “The Flower of Scotland Tartan” for our kin at this gathering, and this can be worn by all Scots throughout the world.

WEATHER 

Rain can be expected anytime, the local saying is, “Sun before seven, rain after eleven” so clothing for changeable weather is advisable.  After the sun goes down there is a wee bit of chill in the air.  During the day it should be warm.   We can’t guarantee the weather.  I wish we could!

NIGHT ACTIVITIES

Drinking and Driving Laws are strictly enforced, to the point that no one in Scotland drives after a drink.  We urge all our Folk to keep this in mind while in Scotland.

TRAVEL

The preferred Airport to fly into will be most likely the large International Airport at Edinburgh.  Fortunately for us it is about a 40 minutes drive from where the Gathering will be taking place.

Other Airports that could be used are Glasgow Airport, also in Scotland, which is about 1 hour 30 minutes from Carfraemill, or Heathrow in London, which is about a 10 hour car drive to the place of the Gathering.

THE FAMILY TREE

This has been a massive project.  Team members have been active for many years working on its preparation and those attending will be giving talks and will be happy to answer questions on genealogy research.  A Master Family Tree will be available for your inspection.  Copies and supporting documentation will be available on CDs for the Folk for a nominal fee.

PHOTOGRAPHER

At any time during the Gathering, those of you that have a camera feel free to use it during the Gathering, but we ask you to use common sense and be polite.  For those of you without a camera we will have a photographer, who will be taking photographs and these will be available at the end of the gathering on CDs for a nominal fee.

This is the first Gathering of the Hercus Folk in 300 years and we are looking for a momentous reunion.  Family and friends are all invited.  We want this to be a great and memorable occasion for all, something to perhaps repeat in the future, and something to tell our grandchildren. 

FEEDBACK

It is important to us now in the final stages of the planning, for you to get back to us as soon as possible on three points:  FIRST, your payment which reserves you a place at the gathering.  SECOND, a list of activities you wish to attend, and THIRD, and very important to us right now, any thoughts or recommendations you may wish to express and give us.

REGISTRATION

Registration will officially open Tuesday night 2^nd of August, at Carfraemill.   We assume a number of people will be arriving early because official gathering activities will begin Wednesday morning.

ACCOMMODATION 

Lodging is expensive in the UK; fortunately Scotland is slightly cheaper.  For this Gathering it falls into four categories, the most expensive is probably hotels, then Carfraemill, B&B’s, and cottages (self catering) being cheaper.  Carfraemill is mainly an activities centre, but they have 10 bedrooms which can be hired.

ESTIMATED PRICE DAY TOURS – ABOUT £40 OR LESS

Price per person depends on the number of people who would like us to arrange tours for them.  We have several types of tours in mind that may be of interest.  These will really depend on the feedback we receive, as to whether or not we go ahead and arrange tours, or just let people do their own thing.