101 st International Friendship Meeting Edinburgh, May 11th until May 14th, 2017

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1 101 st International Friendship Meeting Edinburgh, May 11th until May 14th, 2017 Two years ago, when we proposed Edinburgh as the location for the next BCI friendship meeting, we had several reasons for this choice. The last time there was a BCI friendship meeting in Edinburgh was 25 years ago, it was the 51st BCI friendship meeting, many of us were not members yet at the time. The city is also convenient for transportation - the connection is easy for most participants. Furthermore, in recent years, we have chosen our destinations in Central Europe (Munich, Basel, Salzburg), so it was the right time for a change. At the time when we agreed that the 101st friendship meeting will take place in Scotland, we could not have foreseen that Brexit will bring such importance for Scotland. The country has, of course, a lot more to offer: an ancient history, mysterious traditions underpinned by ancient legends and myths, beautiful nature, where many movies were shot, and of course lovely Scottish people. Scotland s most beautiful city Edinburgh has welcomed us with beautiful weather. The Balmoral Hotel, "For a beer" in The Balmoral Hotel BCI-Info

2 where we were accommodated, is an experience itself. Originally built as a railway hotel near the train station, characterized by a typical clock tower, which is five minutes fast - so that the travellers do not miss their train. Today the most famous hotel in Scotland with staff in traditional kilts. After our arrival, Mr. Marc Brutty welcomed us in traditional kilt as a true Scotch. All 41 participants met for a beer in the lobby on time, no matter where and when did who arrive from. Thursday: Dinner in the Restaurant The Cannonball House We started the evening with a walk through the city centre to the iconic restaurant The Cannonball House, which represents a piece of Scottish history. Welcome by Mr. Marc Brutty in a traditional kilt in front of the restaurant There is really a cannon ball stuck in the front facade of the building. It can be argued whether the cannon ball was actually shot in the wall of the castle during the Jacobin rebellion, or rather by the engineers to mark the water level, but it is clear that the door of the house is the oldest door knocker in the world. The restaurant offered us not only Scottish specialties, for example traditional Scottish Haggis, but also many other delicious meals. We really enjoyed the evening. Part of the dinner was beer tasting. The beer was provided by the family brewery Knops and was presented personally by Mr. Knops, who introduced a suitable beer for each course. The overall atmosphere of the evening was perfected by the magnificent view over the Edinburgh Castle. After dinner, drink followed in the bar in the Hotel Balmoral offering 460 varieties of whiskey. Walk through the city centre to the Cannonball House Whiskey tasting in the bar of The Balmoral Hotel BCI-Info

3 Dinner in the Restaurant the Cannonball House Friday: Guided tour, gala dinner and ceremonial enthronement in Winton House On Friday morning we split up into two groups. In these smaller groups we explored the city with city guides. We visited the Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish Parliament. From the Edinburgh Castle there is a beautiful view over the city. The large part of the castle is still used as administrative premises, the rest is open to tourists. It was also interesting to see the Parliament building, where we learned a much interesting information about the history of Scotland. After the tour we enjoyed lunch together in typical Scottish restaurants. The afternoon was free time, everyone could explore the city, go shopping or relax in the spa area in our hotel. At 4 pm we met again in the lobby of our hotel for the departure to the castle Winton House, where the gala dinner and ceremonial enthronement took place. Winton House was built by the Setons following a grant of land by David I to Phillip de Sayton in The origins of the house date from 1480 when George, 4th Lord Seton, commenced the building of Winton Castle, a tower standing 4 stories high, surrounded by a defensive curtain wall. In 1779, Winton House acquired Mr. Hamilton Nisbet. At the beginning of the 19th century, Winton House was rebuilt and slightly expanded. Winton House is considered a masterpiece of Scot- Visiting the Scottish Parliament Lunch in a typical Scottish restaurant BCI-Info

4 tish Renaissance architecture. It contains ornate and intricate plaster ceilings, fine furniture, family treasures and many paintings by notable Scottish painters. Since 1971 is Winton House a category A listed building in the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. The building also housed the Scottish Parliament offices while the main building at Holyrood was being constructed. We were welcomed by Mr. Marc Brutty in front of Winton House with a musical performance by the bagpipe player Kenny Campbell. The welcome took place in the hall of the castle, which is linked to the history of the castle. Events such as our enthronement are very important nowadays as they help the current owners to pay the castle s high operating costs. The enthronement took place in the largest room of the castle, the so-called drawing room. The admission and welcome of new members is always the highlight of every friendship meeting, this friendship meeting in Edinburgh was no exception. Our new members became Mrs. Ingrid Kollmar, Mrs. Pia Kollmar, Mr. Dr. Erwin Vaih, Mr. Günter Frommelt and Mr. Ralph Hilkert. Hereby I would like to welcome our new members in BCI once again. After the enthronement, Dr. Tobias Lock, Lecturer of EU law and co-director of the Europe Institute in Edinburgh, held a lecture on Brexit and Scotland. For all of us, it was interesting to hear first-hand information about Brexit. Today, Scotland is to a certain degree dependent on the UK, so potential separation from the UK is not as simple as some people think. It is mutually beneficial for both sides. For visitors, Scotland is a beautiful country, industrial production (except Scotch Whiskey) has been reduced to minimum. Development of education, modern technologies and tourism are largely supported. After the lecture, an invitation for a beer followed. Unfortunately, the weather was not so nice, so we could not enjoy our drink at the beautiful outdoor terrace, as originally planned. Then we were shown in the dining room where the Gala dinner followed. Gala dinner in such beautiful surroundings and atmosphere was for all of us the experience everyone will remember. After returning to our hotel those of us who were interested visited the whiskey bar with 460 varieties of whiskey. The BCI Presidium with new BCI members Mrs. Ingrid Kollmar, Mrs. Pia Kollmar, Mr. Günter Frommelt, Mr. Dr. Erwin Vaih and Mr. Ralph Hilkert BCI-Info

5 Mrs. Pia Kollmar having a speech about our new member and her mother Mrs. Ingrid Kollmar Lecture from Mr. Dr. Tobias Lock Saturday: 49th BCI General Meeting, voluntary guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, Gala dinner in the Hotel Balmoral On Saturday the 49th Annual General Meeting of the BCI took place in the "Esk Room" of the Hotel Balmoral. The main point of the program was the election of new presidium members for the next election period. Following members were elected new members of the presidium: Stanislav Procházka as president, Andy Rothacker as vice-president, Paul Josef Greineder as treasurer, Seinosuke Kuraku as assessor und Emöke Rohner as assessor. Mr. Rüdiger Ruoss wrote an article about the 49th Annual BCI General Meeting, which was published separately on our websites. After the General Meeting, our members enjoyed lunch at The Doric Bar & Restaurant, Edinburgh's oldest gastro pub. On Saturday morning, the ladies and other companions had an individual tour at the "Hopetoun House" in the Scottish Lowlands, which ended with lunch at The Stables Tearoom at Hopetoun House. On Saturday afternoon a voluntary guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarch was organized. Most of us attended this tour. In the evening the "Holyrood Suite" in the Hotel Balmoral was prepared for a gala dinner. On Sunday some of us travelled back home, some of us have extended the stay in this beautiful country. The 49th Annual General Meeting of the BCI This was the end of the 101st International Friendship Meeting of BierConvent International. I am looking forward to our next 102nd friendship meeting in Dinkelsbühl in May BCI-Info