Ruby Wedding

Where
If the weather on the day is fine, the proceedings will start in the garden at Larick House (GR NR822607) and then be concluded half a mile down the road in the Whitehouse Village Hall. (GR NR 817612) If the weather is inclement, everything will take place in the Village Hall. You pass the Hall just after turning up towards Larick House so watch for a sign saying what has been decided. Note: there is no mobile phone signal at the foot of the hill in Whitehouse but there is a signal for most operators up at Larick House.

Parking
If you can walk between the two venues, can we suggest you leave your car at one or the other to save traffic on a rough single track road. If you don’t mind having your car blocked in, you will be able to park at Larick House. Otherwise, you can use the Village Hall car park or park across the A83 in Whitehouse. If you need to use a car, let us know and we will make special arrangements. Anyone camping at Larick House will obviously be able to park here. If you are catching the bus and would like to be met, let us know.

The Event
John’s sister Kathleen (kathleenmsmith737@hotmail.com) has agreed to act as MC. She will start things off at 1500 so it would be nice if everyone could be here by then. Just to get in the spirit of things, it would be fun if you could all wear something red! We don’t want any presents but we’d love you to bring a preferably signed, weatherproof, memento that we can incorporate into a mosaic which we will build in the garden.

Order of Ceremony

1500 Things kick off

1515 Kathleen introduces the speakers (Best Man and Daughters of the Bride). Anybody else is welcome to contribute their thoughts/memories. Please give Kathleen a heads up, especially if you have a juicy story to share, but all contributions on the day will also be welcomed (we hope!)

1530 (roughly) Cake cutting and Toast.

1535 Singers. Again, if you would like to contribute your talents at this point, please let Kathleen know.

1600 Ceremony ends with collection of mementoes.

1730-1800 Migrate to Village Hall

Evening Food , Drink & Entertainment

1730 Bar (free) opens. There will be wine, beer and soft drinks available. If you have a special tipple feel free to bring it yourself. Wine glasses will be available and some others but we hope you’ll be happy to slurp from bottles/cans in order to save on hire/borrowing/washing up. If you have any special dietary requirements or questions, please let us know.

1930 Ceilidh Dancing called by Neil and Dorothy.

2000 Cabin Fever www.facebook.com/CabinFeverArgyll – 60s, Soul and Blues music

2100 Tea and coffee, snack.

2130 Ceilidh Dancing

2200 Cabin Fever

Although we have scheduled some quiet spells, anybody who wants a bit of peace and quiet is welcome to retreat to Larick House during the evening. There will be floorspace at the Village Hall and at Larick House for anybody who hasn’t arranged accommodation and we will be providing brunch from 10.00 on the Sunday morning.

Thank you so much for accepting our invitation. We are really looking forward to seeing so many ‘old’ friends and hope that it will prove a happy reunion for everyone.

John and Suse Coon, Larick House, Whitehouse, Tarbert Argyll. PA29 6XR
01880 730360. mob: 07734 699607 or 07882 117658
www.larickhouse.co.uk
Follow Lothian Life on Twitter http://twitter.com/lothianlife or Suse on http://twitter.com/TheSeaweeder

THINGS TO DO

We appreciate that some of you are coming to a part of the world you have only heard of in song and may like to explore a bit while you are here. We have some brochures and maps. Can we recommend (apart from the obvious Mull):

Gigha (pronounced Geeya) and Achamore Gardens, a ferry hop from Tayinloan

Walk part of the Kintyre Way

Skipness Castle and Seafood Cabin (views to Arran)

Glenbarr Garden Centre and cafe, Clan Mac? Centre

Campbeltown has a Heritage Centre and there are cave paintings on Davaar Island which is accessible on foot when the tide cooperates.

There are several pleasant walks around Tarbert, to the White Shore or the Castle.

Further north, Kilmartin Glen is bursting with archaeology and the cafe at the Museum is pretty good.

We may also be able to arrange a spot of sea kayaking.

TRAVEL

We are on the A83 to Campbeltown. It’s hard to get lost but we have had delivery drivers who want to stop at Tarbet Loch Lomond rather than carrying on for another hour and a half to Tarbert Loch Fyne. You should also be aware that if your GPS is set for shortest route it will take you to Hunter’s Quay for the 2 ferries (see below). You should also be aware that the Rest and Be Thankful is sometimes closed in case of avalanche, involving a scenic but time consuming detour via Crianlarich and Loch Awe. Assuming all is straightforward, en route is Loch Lomond and the possibility of a boat trip from Tarbet, Crarae Gardens and Ardkinglas Gardens, as well as the Oyster Bar and Tree Shop and Loch Fyne Brewery at the head of the loch (Fyne) and of course Inverary with the Jail, Castle and ship museum. Nearer here, Auchindrain Museum of Country Life has a nice cafe and gallery run by volunteers.
Whitehouse itself is 6 miles past Tarbert and a mile past the Kennacraig Ferry Terminal (where you get the ferry to Islay and Jura). As you come down the hill into Whitehouse, prepare for a left turn into the farm road that brings you to the Village Hall and to Larick House.

For those of you wanting to avoid the long drive round you can come via Arran or via the Cowal peninsula. Both trips involve paying a fair amount of money to Calmac but are very scenic. Together, they form the famous Five Ferries cycling route that can be done in a day from the Central Belt.

There is also the equally famous 926 bus from Buchanan Street, Glasgow, that brings you to within 100 yards of the Village Hall 5 times a day, free if you have your bus pass, otherwise it’s as little as £6 single if you book in advance. Ask for or book for Whitehouse, (village on A83). There are very few other buses, especially at night and one taxi by special arrangement.