Scots in London (SIL) - dynamic and passionate Scots- wishes you a happy new year and invites you to SIL Q1 2006 Quarterly Extravaganza: 'Burns Nicht as Burns would have liked it!'

Date/Time: Wednesday 25 January 2006, 6.30pm sharp for 7pm ? late. Venue: Lansdowne Club (Ballroom), 9 Fitzmaurice Place, Mayfair, London, W1J 5JD - 5 mins walk from Green Park tube station - Map.

The club is an opulent and exclusive private members club in the heart of Mayfair, built in 1763 as a grand town house for the Scottish Marquess of Bute, the incumbent Prime Minister, designed by fellow Scot Robert Adam, later owned by Gordon Selfridge (1920-29), the department store magnate. Dress: Club rules - jacket and tie, no jeans or trainers.

Superb value for an amazing venue, great company, guid food, music/entertainment, slainte: Haggis, Neeps & Tatties (buffet-style and veggie haggis option), Speakers/Entertainers, Poetry, Singing, Piping, Networking, Ceilidh Band(tbc) and complimentary dram of Whyte & Mackay Scotch Whisky and Deuchars IPA (tbc). SIL - providing a distinct buzz, distinguished blend! Reserve your place on the guest list. Join SIL list. RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it All welcome, including friends (no passport checks!). Numbers limited so reserve asap.

6.30-7.30pm: Piping on arrival by The Legendary Pinstripe Highlanders. You will be greeted by your host and receive a warming whisky and/or luscious welcoming beer from the attentive staff. Take time to meet people, network and enjoy. Fiddler Donald Stewart will delight you with the finest fiddling, while professional photographer Ian Macaulay and professional film-maker Caroline Gardiner snap up the SIL atmosphere.

7.30-8.00pm: Welcome introductions will be made by your host / sponsor(s)/ Scottish Guest Celebrity (tbc) and the Pinstripe Highlanders will pipe in the Haggis (to be served buffet style with neeps and tatties), followed by a memorable Address to the Haggis/Tam O'Shanter by Andrew Fox, Scotland's Young Globetrotting Burns Talent.

8.00-9.30pm: The traditional SIL group photograph, followed by entertainment - 'Burns Nicht as Burns would have liked it!' - opened by Goldie and Grant (tbc), Fabulous Scottish Opera Singers (by demand!), poetry by Robert Burns (and his own works) recited by Richard Price, Talented Scottish Published Poet, Star of the Informist School, followed by Robin'Rab'Somerville, providing a Quinessentially English take on Scots 4 laughs and Star Act, Les Peters, Scotland's Foremost After-Dinner Speaker / Entertainer with the emphasis on good times.

9.30pm - end: Singing and fiddling/ceilidh music/dancing, jigs and reels from Mairi Armstrong (tbc), Professional Scots Singer with amazing credits, Donald Stewart and The Highlanders Ceilidh & Reeling Band (tbc). Network, chat and enjoy. Carriages await.

Check out the photos from SIL Q4 2005 bash at the Caledonian Club http://homepage.mac.com/eddietait/ScotsInLondon/PhotoAlbum61.html / www.scotsinlondon.com - Brand new SIL website due Feb 2006. Thanks for all your support in 2005!

Thanks to all 260+ SIL who attended the last quarterly Q4 2005 bash at the Caledonian Club (see photolink below). From door monies, you helped to raise GBP1,500 [GBP1,000 went to London Scottish (Rugby) Football Club and GBP500 went to The Royal Scottish Corporation] - sincere thanks. Let's kick off 2006 with a big yin...