ACES 2011: Conservation Conflicts: strategies for coping with a changing world

Overnight to Cairngorms (£150)

Afternoon of 24th Aug 2011 - 25th Aug 2011, includes overnight stay

Cairngorms trip provides an opportunity to explore some of the real issues facing land managers in Scotland today. The field trip will take you to the heart of the Cairngorms National Park where you will spend a day and a night, discussing with the park authorities, land owners, conservationists, stalkers and gamekeepers the challenges facing conservation today. You will discuss the different perspectives and have a chance to see and discuss alternative land use practices.

register for this trip

Out and about around Aberdeen/Scotland in August

*note these trips are orgnised by companies external to the conference, ACES 2011 is not responsible for content.

Isle of Arran 5 day Trip 15th August - 19th August £338 book online
Depart 08:25 Skene St, Return 17:00 Skene St

Resort:
The Isle of Arran is the most southerly Scottish island, sitting in the Firth of Clyde between Ayrshire and Kintyre. This island may be small, just 19 miles long by 10 miles wide, but Arran has a remarkable diversity of landscapes and seascapes. The pretty villages along the beautiful coastline are complemented by a rugged and mountainous interior in the north and green rolling hills and woodland in the south. Our excursions include a guided tour of the island, stopping at various places of interest along the way. We travel to the coastal town of Brodick, where we have included entry to the Arran Heritage Museum. There is also the opportunity to visit the impressive Brodick Castle & Country Park, with its displays of fine paintings, antique furniture and beautiful gardens. We visit Arran Aromatics and Scotland's newest distillery of Malt Whisky, Isle Of Arran Distillers. There is also leisure time to explore Blackwaterfoot.

Hotel:
THE KINLOCH HOTEL - The Kinloch Hotel has a superb seafront location in the village of Blackwaterfoot. This family run hotel offers guests a friendly, relaxed atmosphere while ensuring all your needs are catered for. The restaurant has a variety of dishes to suit every taste, prepared using the best of local produce. The leisure facilities include an indoor swimming pool, sauna and fitness room. For your convenience there is a lift in the hotel.

Fare includes:
# Luxury Coach Travel.
# Morning coffee on first day.
# Ferry crossing Ardrossan/Brodick/Ardrossan (crossing time 55 minutes).
# Four nights dinner, bed and breakfast at The Kinloch Hotel, Blackwaterfoot.
# Programme of excursions.
# Guided tour of the Island.
# Entry to the Arran Heritage Museum.
# VAT.

Aberdeen City Tour Friday 19th August & Sat 20th August 13:00-14:30 £7.50 book online

This tour offers you the opportunity to discover the delights of the Granite City. Departing from Broad St. opposite Marischal College, Scotland Explorer will take you on a journey that explains Aberdeen’s development from the first settlers to the oil capital of Europe.

Inverness and Loch Ness - join the hunt for Nessie Sat 20th August £35.00 book online

Travelling north-west from Aberdeen Broad St., we have a comfort stop at Baxters of Speyside, before travelling on to Culloden for lunch then on to Inverness. There is an optional boat trip on Loch Ness on board the Jacobite Queen for a one-hour cruise of the famous Loch – look out for Nessie! After the boat trip, we head north back to Inverness for free time before travelling south east, returning to Aberdeen.

Food & Drink of North East Scotland Thurs 25th Aug 09:00-16:00 £30.00 book online

Scotland Explorer departs from Aberdeen Broad St. and heads north-west through Aberdeenshire and to Moray before stopping at Strathisla Distillery, originally founded in 1789, Scotland’s oldest, continuously operating distillery. There is no better place to experience the age-old craft of whisky making at first hand. Many of the buildings have changed little from the old cobbled courtyard to the distinctive double pagodas, making it one of the most picturesque distilleries in Scotland. You will learn about single malt and blended whiskies and how the history of both are entwined, and of course experience the product for yourself! From Strathisla, Scotland Explorer continues north to Fochabers, visiting the world famous Baxters of Speyside. Founded in 1868, you can take a step back in time and discover the history of Baxter in the old grocery shop. A trip to Baxters wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the restaurants, where a sample of delicious Scottish fayre is served, including Baxters famous soups, pancakes fresh from the griddle and home baked pastries, all in a relaxed and friendly environment. From Baxters, we head east along the coast, passing Buckie and travelling through Banff before heading south through Aberdeenshire and on to Aberdeen.

University of Aberdeen Zoology Museum (Mon-Fri)

The University has the only large, international collection of zoological specimens in the north of Scotland. The Zoology Museum is responsible for the care and development of the University's collections of zoological specimens, for promoting their use for teaching and research within the institution and for enhancing the understanding and enjoyment of zoology by the general public.