Scotland's Festival of History, August 2012, Chatelherault

[Montsegur]

Ahead of our move next August to a new home at Chatelherault, an impressive 18thC house and 500 acre estate, just off J6 of the M74 at Hamilton, we are running a small, free admission taster event on August 19 this year.

The idea is to let all groups, traders et al see the site and highlight any potential problems ahead of next year. It keeps the event in the public eye, lets the estate management see what we can do, and also lets us put something on for potential spsonsors.

Groups so far represented are – Swords of Dalriada; Legio VIII Augusta MGV; Glasgow Vikings; Medieval Clydesdale; Historic Saltire; TASI (The Carrick Free Company); Beowulf; 1st 95th Rifles; The Gordon Highlanders; Kamppfgruppe Schottland; The Desert Rats; Western Desert Recce Group; Scottish Vintage Arms Shooting Club.

Periods represented are Celt/Picts; Roman; Viking; Medieval; Jacobite; Napoleonic; WW1 and WW2.

We also have come and try archery, a couple of traders (we are offering free trading pitches) and falconry.
There are also some other groups who hope to have some representation there on the day and possibly also some demonstrators.

The event at Chatelherault (brown signage from J6 M74 at Hamilton) is on Sunday 19 August, 10-4am.

We will have portaloos on site overnight Sat/Sun and during the show, and a catering unit there on Sunday. There is an option to camp/set-up on Saturday.

There is free admission to the House – which has a shop, displays and cafe – and 500 acres of estate to enjoy.

If anyone is still interested in coming along please let me know asap.

[Montsegur]

Everything looks good for the festival's small taster show at Chatelherault this weekend.

Although it is mainly being held to check out the site ahead of the normal show moving to this impressive 18thC house and 500 acre estate next year, rather than as a public event, we have already achieved good publicity. Radio and tv slots, and six regional papers have this week, between them, given us more than four pages of features with colour pics. In each case they came to us, rather than us having to chase them for publicity, which is encouraging.

On site we have 14 groups, covering Picts/Celts through to WW2 and first Gulf War - several traders and demonstrators, musicians, come and try archery and falconry.
Larger than we anticipated so it will be a good test of the new site before we bring 600+ onto it in 2013

I'm extremely grateful for all the support we have had from those who offered to take part.

[Montsegur]

Bizarrely I've just discovered that Strathclyde's finest are promoting the festival

http://www.strathclyde.police.uk/whats_ ... f_history/

Maybe other organisers shsould try their local rozzers for publicity too .......................

[mel secker]

Looking forward to this new venue, Lanark was good but Hamilton is much easier access for all concerned, straight off the M74.
Lovely grounds and the weather sounds good all weekend, wish you every success, see you Sunday

[Mr Ben]

I will be there with Gordon Highlanders 1914-1918, really got to support this event.

[squamatus]

Thanks George & Crew for an excellent weekend! What an amazing site for future festivals - I'm certainly looking foward to 2013. All the other groups were really friendly, and as for the visitors, I don't think we ever had as many at Lanark... so who knows what a full turnout of traders and performers will attract!

[Mr Ben]

Indeed well done, I had a great day, its a spendid site, easy to get to and I'm sure can soon be the best event in Scotland .

[Mart]

superb weekend on a great site that certainly holds alot of potential well done to George and the crew

[Mrs George]

I just wanted to add my thanks to everyone who supported us this weekend - reenactors and traders, including those who came along simply to say hi or to look at the site to help with planning for next year. A great response from MOPs, and a great setting. And of course, helpful staff from the venue was a bonus....

It seems that Lanark is dead, long live Chatelherault! A packet of Border Biscuits to the person who comes up with a catchy nickname - SFOH or Chatelherault don't trip off the tongue like Lanark did.

[squamatus]

I must admit we've been calling it "Not-Lanark"!