Lanark for the Scottish National 2026

The journey north for all of us started well before the start of the Rehearsal Rally. The Rally WhatsApp group was pinging with messages and photos showing our progress, and even our most northerly members headed that way for a change. Arriving at Lanark Racecourse we met up in the marquee for registration, and were presented with a goody bag complete with whisky and Lanark's own Border Biscuits - and a lot of money spending/saving offers probably none of us could use!

Rehearsal day on Thursday meant squeezing into the ever-decreasing pool of available cars and heading a few miles to a very nice village hall venue. The songs were sounding good, and we felt well prepared for the concert due just after the official Rally opening ceremony. Friday was a day off for us, and spent socialising, shopping, exploring or visiting. And of course there was time for an evening gathering outside the caravans for a few songs and maybe a drink or two.

The weather definitely turned for the Saturday opening ceremony, but fortunately wasn't as wet as it had threatened. We were thanked by the organisers for our attendance - actually we were the largest CAMC Centre attending, reported as 20 units. After Flags we transferred out of the wind into the marquee, for an unexpected free bar and a very long buffet table. 'Rusty Nails' and beers were obviously passed over (haha) as we selected soft drinks or hot drinks as more appropriate for a group about to sing :)

The concert went down really well and we enjoyed performing. Our hosts joined in the background singing 'Flower Of Scotland', but were much more enthusiastic with the impromptu encore 'Sweet Caroline'. And then we took our turn at the bar!

I can't say too much about the off-site Saturday Night Dinner Dance and Sunday Night Concert because I didn't go - but apparently Brian had a good time!

Rally numbers started dwindling as people headed home or onwards, and the WhatsApp group was still quite lively for the rest of the week. Rumours of a mystery bug spread. Fortunately there seem to be no permanent effects, though it seems some did suffer quite badly. But whatever the source, water or food or personal contact, it seems we will never get to the bottom of it…

Mike J

I can report that the Dinner Dance was wonderful-considering that no-one knew what the menu was, in my opinion you couldn’t fault it. No choice just 3 courses brought out to everyone, and it was delicious. Obviously everyone had partaken of plenty of Rusty Nails, so the various dances were lively to say the least.

The Scottish dances which they called were good fun, and the rest were made more entertaining by our wonderful MD (Brian), who had been showered with favourable comments after our performance, and plenty of shots too! He was in very good form on the dance floor, and we have a short video to prove it!

The following night was a duo with an accordion and a comedy repertoire, and they too were quite entertaining. We were transported down to the same hotel both nights in coaches, so no driving or walking involved.

Viv D