25 Jul Real Event: Derek Parker 90th birthday, June 2018
We had the pleasure of welcoming Derek Parker and his family and friends to stay at Dundas for two nights to celebrate his 90th birthday. They enjoyed a range of activities throughout the daytime including Falconry, Clay Pigeon Shooting, 4 x 4 Driving and Whisky Tasting. In the evening all of the guests were treated to a three-course meal in our Croquet Room followed by a Pipe Band performance in front of the Castle. Derek’s son, Mike Parker, summarised all of the elements of the event in a lovely letter, here are his comments and some photographs from the special celebration.
“Our event was carefully engineered by your event manager, Jennifer, who made the planning appear seamless. Final checks a few days before filled me with confidence that everything was in place and all of the suppliers were singing from the same hymn sheet. Jennifer entrusted Fleur as the manager for the weekend who also maintained a very high standard of professionalism and ensured our every need was met.'”
“Our estate tour was very much enjoyed by our more senior guests who were very entertained by your estate’s manager. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed the Clay Pigeon Shooting and the 4×4 wheel drive. As many had never tried either before, it was a little daunting but, with the excelled guidance of your experts, they left feeling a real sense of achievement and adventure.”
“The kilt fitting for the Gentlemen was a lot of fun by all accounts! The team you recommended did a sterling job of dressing our Gents and certainly knew what they were doing because the Guys did not have a clue. Our Gentlemen looked dapper indeed and I think rather took to their new found freedom!”
“We entered the Croquet Room and just had to say ‘WOW’! The table setting and flower arrangements were all so impressive. The dinner was staged to perfection. The waiting team were professional, polished and clearly well trained. The synchronous delivery of each of our courses carefully placed with a black-gloved hand was a spectacle to behold, and often not seen. The food too was excellent! Well done to David and your team in the kitchen.”
“After a wonderful banquet of food and heartfelt speeches, we were treated to the finale of the Pipe and Drum band, ‘Beating of the Retreat’, which just sent shivers down the spine and made everyone’s eyes well up with emotion at the sheer spectacle!”
“Finally, after the blowing out of the candles on the birthday cake, we settled down to be thoroughly entertained by ‘Ginny & the Tonic”, a wonderful singer and pianist duo who entertained us with all genres of music”
“The whole weekend was just a dream come true and we have received so many thank you cards from our guests saying it was a weekend like no other they had ever experienced and one they shall treasure for the rest of their lives. All of this was made possible by the truly professional team at Dundas, working their hardest to make sure each and every one of us felt special and looked after.”- Mike Parker on behalf of Derek Parker.
Photographs- Blue Sky Photography
Flowers- Planet Flowers
String Quartet- Capella String Quartet
Magician- Billy Reid
Band- Ginny and the Tonic
Pipe Band- Reel Time
Fireworks- 21CC
Cake- Liggy’s Cakes
Clay Pigeon Shooting and 4×4 driving- Maximillion
Kilt Hire and Fitting- Kiltpin Scotland