gala dinner at Prestonfield House
friday 11 october 2024
A very warm welcome and thank you to you all for coming along to this evening’s Gala Dinner. The event is the conclusion of 8 months’ intense fundraising work which has resulted in a significant sum being raised to support new six year bursaries at George Heriot’s School. The aim is to provide one six year Senior School bursary, possibly two if our fundraising dreams are met tonight.
Please look through this booklet to see the amazing prizes on offer tonight and help us achieve this goal. Thank you to all our generous benefactors. You are making a transformative difference to a child’s life.
Thank you
Our sincere thanks to:
– James Thomson and all the staff at Prestonfield House for making the event run so smoothly, for containing costs and for creating an original George Heriot cocktail
– Gavin Esler, for travelling up to Edinburgh and speaking this evening
– Grant Stott, for entertaining us all
– Grant Mitchell, for his magic
– The Eliot Murray 12-piece band
– Ian Gray, for his creativity and generosity
– Francesca Contini at Valvona & Crolla
– Alastair Morrison, Head of Junior School
– Robert Brown
– Tom Cooper at Tom Cooper Fine Furniture
– Stephen Finch at Furniture Maker
– Fingal by The Royal Yacht Britannia
– Dr David Jack
– Dan Manricks and Private Shopping at Harvey Nichols
– The Holyrood Distillery
– Stephen Paterson of Paterson + Co
– Ian G Black
– A generous anonymous donor for supporting the following auction prizes: Greywalls Experience, Liberty Gift and 101 Dalmatians Directors Box Experience.
We hope you have a splendid evening and look forward to sharing it with you.
With warm wishes
The Development Team at Heriot’s: Ailsa, Darren, Eilidh, Julie and Miranda
Running order
6:00
Piper welcomes guests 7:15 Call to Dinner 7:30 Welcome, Grant Stott 7:40
Hit or Miss game (£20 entry) Jinglin’ Favour reveal 8:00 Three course Dinner served
10:00 Gavin Esler
10:15 Campaign video 10:20 Live Auction
Raffle draw Silent Auction results 10:50
Thank you from Principal Gareth Warren
11:00 Dancing 12:30 Carriages
Specially curated Cocktails or Champagne on arrival
Dinner Menu
Cock-a-leekie, pheasant and ham terrine, whisky macerated Agen prunes, leek and smoked Cheddar arancini, pheasant consommé
Featherblade of beef en croûte, sour cream mash, honey-roast pumpkin, chermoula dressing, cavolo nero, jus
Passion fruit and mango cheesecake, coconut granola, exotic salsa
Toast to Founder
Dietaries will be provided for
Gavin Esler, Scottish journalist, television presenter and author, who is tonight’s after-dinner speaker
This evening’s host is Grant Stott. Award winning radio and TV presenter, actor and panto villain!
Tonight’s magician is Grant Mitchell. Grant has been captivating audiences across Scotland for the past 12 years with his unique style of magic and mindreading. He is current President of the Edinburgh Magic Circle, he has a trick or two up his sleeve.
Play to win
Raffle
Win a Paterson + Co exquisite Diamond set heart pendant in 18ct yellow gold. Value £1,525.
The winner has the option to receive this prize in either yellow or white gold.
value £500
Jinglin’ Favour winner Harvey Nichols private shopping experience + £200 gift voucher & Prosecco
Hit or Miss Valvona & Crolla Hamper
Auction lots
Lot 1
Muirfield Golf and Lunch
STARTING BID: £1,000
Head of the Junior School, Alastair Morrison has generously donated a round of golf for 3 with lunch in the club house at Muirfield Golf Course, Gullane.
Alastair will host your group at The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, the world’s second oldest golf club, and one of the most in demand courses, with waiting lists of up to 2.5 years to play a round on the hallowed
greens. Don’t bother with the waiting list and bid to join Mr Morrison before the year is even out!
(Note: Alastair is only available to host this prize during school holidays or at weekends. Due to strict club rules, he must be in attendance with the winning group.)
Donated by Alastair Morrison
24 hours of luxury in the hands of world class chef
Michel Roux and overnight stay at Greywalls Hotel
STARTING BID: £1,250
On Tuesday 25 Feb you and a partner will arrive at an East Lothian gem, the renowned and beautiful Greywalls Hotel, Gullane. Your experience will begin with an exclusive cookery masterclass with Michel Roux Jr as he demonstrates and prepares some of his favourite dishes! Afterwards, you have the pleasure of enjoying the fruits of his labour with a two-course lunch with paired wines.
Now that you are sated, we recommend you take a good walk in the hotels
beautiful walled gardens or a walk along East Lothians famous sandy beaches before you join guests for an exclusive dinner with matching wines, once more hosted by Michel Roux Jr himself and, after a wonderful night’s sleep, a delicious Breakfast the next morning.
Donated by an anonymous Former Pupil
Lot 3
Stephen Finch
STARTING BID: £300
Stephen, a renowned furniture maker in Edinburgh was asked by a Former Pupil if he could make something special for the We are all George Heriot Campaign, and he kindly agreed.
Stephen is a passionate believer in salvaging and repurposing locally sourced native Scottish Hardwoods.
After a tour of the school and a much consideration Stephen has designed and produced a stunning piece.
This is your opportunity to own this piece of Heriot’s history. A truly unique item.
Stephen is available for private commission, contact him directly at stephenfinch.co.uk
Donated by Robert Brown
Lot 2
The following images are samples of Stephen Finch’s work, and not the prize.
Hand crafted bowl, by Tom Cooper
STARTING BID: £200
Tom Cooper, a renowned furniture maker in Edinburgh was asked by a Former Pupil if he could make something special for the We are all George Heriot Campaign, and he kindly agreed.
Tom, like Stephen is also a passionate believer in salvaging and repurposing locally sourced native Scottish Hardwoods. Therefore, we went foraging and from the grounds close to Goldenacre we discovered a big old log of recently felled wood. He has shared this with fellow maker and donor Stephen Finch.
After a tour of the school and a much consideration Tom has designed and produced a stunning piece, a response and interpretation of the famous ‘Loving Cup.’
This is your opportunity to own this piece of Heriot’s history. A truly unique item. We imagine many of you will enjoy this for many years.
Tom is available for private commission, contact him directly at tcfinefurniture.co.uk
Donated by Robert Brown
Lot 5
Tea for two with Champagne at the AA Hotel of the Year, Fingal Hotel, Edinburgh
STARTING BID: £200
Enjoy a range of the finest teas followed by a selection of perfectly formed sandwiches. Take a seat under the shimmering ceiling of this Art Deco masterpiece and indulge in exquisite savoury and sweet delicacies. Enjoy your glass of Champagne and allow the views
of Leith Docks to entertain you, like an ever-changing image.
This Afternoon Tea for two could be yours just in time for the festive season.
Donated by Fingal Hotel
Lot 6
Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh for 6 people
STARTING BID: £850
Join Instagram influencer, Ian G Black (@ iangblack, 1.7m Instagram followers) as he leads you and 5 friends on a Private Walking Tour of Edinburgh, taking in the historic city’s most photogenic spots. The tour will help you capture Edinburgh in the best possible way, sending you home with lots of memories to keep and photos to share with your family, friends
& followers. This 4 hour tour will include tea coffee at The Gleneagles Townhouse before taking in the famous sights of Edinburgh including Calton Hill; The Royal Mile, St Giles Cathedral, Victoria Street, The Vennel Steps and more.
Donated by Ian G. Black
Lot 7
Rugby legends gourmet dinner for 12 in Edinburgh, date to be agreed
STARTING BID: £6,000
Gourmet dinner for your party of 12, in the finest of townhouses in Edinburgh’s New Town, on a date to be agreed.
Your hosts will be our own Andy Irvine and legendary All Black stand-off, Andrew Mehrtens. Andy needs no introduction.
New Zealand rugby has had few players who have won such wide popularity and affection as Andrew Mehrtens, who in a 12-year career from the late 1990s at first class level, became a national figure rather than simply an icon of his Canterbury province. He left behind a formidable record: 281 first class games and 3,178 points, 108 games for Canterbury scoring 1,056 points, 87 for the Crusaders
scoring 981 points, 72 games for the All Blacks with 967 points in 70 tests. His test aggregate was a record for a New Zealander until Dan Carter surpassed it in November 2009.
The hosts will be happy to discuss any subjects, but there is likely to be some debate around which is the greatest rugby nation of all time, Scotland or New Zealand (excluding results and performances on the pitch).
The prize includes pre-dinner drinks in the house bar, and gourmet dinner with accompanying wines and spirits.
Donated
by
Ian Gray
Lot 8
Port-an-Eilean, Strathtummel, Pitlochry, Friday to Monday
STARTING BID: £6,000
Superb Luxurious Mansion in the Scottish Highlands for the weekend, for 16 guests.
Port-an-Eilean is a fabulous family holiday home offering an abundance of varied activities to suit every age group in every weather. Port-an-Eilean is situated in a breathtaking setting on the north bank of Loch Tummel, surrounded by 40 acres of natural and ancient woodland, with magnificent views towards Schiehallion. Three outside seating areas are designed to make the most of the stunning views throughout the day, as well as affording opportunities of spotting deer, pine martens, otters, ospreys and
sparrow hawks to name but a few of the wildlife abounding. The outdoor theme continues with a spectacular all-weather tennis court/five-a-side pitch, which also doubles as a netball pitch, giving ample opportunity for parents versus the kids activities. Volleyball and badminton are also playable on an adjacent grassed area.
If the weather doesn’t suit, there is a stunning games room available, equipped for table tennis, table football, pool and darts.
Fishing for salmon, trout, pike and perch off the banks and jetty is possible in season. For the more adventurous, hunting and shooting can be arranged nearby by separate negotiation.
The house itself has recently been refurbished to an extremely high standard. The library and bar areas are perfect for pre-meal drinks and the drawing room with grand piano is the ideal spot to congregate for after-dinner festivities and fun. Log fires in all of the main reception rooms add to the ambience. For those seeking solitude, the tower room is the place to escape to with
a newspaper or good book.
There are 9 ensuite double bedrooms in the main house, all with quality beds and bedding, and a four-bed dormitory to keep the kids happy. The kitchen with Aga is extremely well equipped and opens up Lochside to make for an idyllic ‘sitooterie’.
The local pub is half a mile from the entrance to the property.
Dates, outside of high seasons, to be agreed with the owner.
Donated by Ian Gray
Silent auction lots
Silent Auction Lot 1
Holyrood Distillery tour for two
MINIMUM BID: £50
Join a guided flavour-forward experience, learn how gin and whisky are made and explore the craft distilling methods at Holyrood Distillery.
One hour group tour
Donated by Holyrood Distillery
Silent Auction Lot 2
Liver health consultation: two people
MINIMUM BID: £150
It takes just 30 minutes to conduct a full examination using FibroScan® whose equipment uses a non-invasive technique to assess liver health and provide immediate results.
Donated by Ian Gray
Silent Auction Lot 3
Liver health consultation: five people (corporate booking)
MINIMUM BID: £500
It takes just 30 minutes to conduct a full examination using FibroScan® whose equipment uses a non-invasive technique to assess liver health and provide immediate results.
Donated by Ian Gray
Silent Auction Lot 4
The Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2024
MINIMUM BID: £300
The exclusive and in demand Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar is packed with 28 luxury products, including 18 full-sized products from the famous London Stores Beauty Hall. Favourites such as Skin Rocks, Ex Nihilo and La Mer. You will also discover a brand-new Liberty LBTY. fragrance hidden inside one of the drawers. If that’s not enough, Liberty has also hidden a select number of golden tickets worth £1,000 in the calendars, which lucky winners can spend online or in-store.
This hot ticket item would make the most wonderful pre-Christmas surprise for a loved one, or just a ‘daily pick me up’ for oneself during the month of December as you count the days down to Christmas as little more luxuriously.
Donated by an anonymous Former Pupil
Silent Auction Lot 5
One voucher and consultation with Dr David Jack
MINIMUM BID: £300
Cryo Collagen treatment is expertly designed to firm, lift and brighten the skin.
Cryo Collagen Treatment combines the power of cutting-edge techniques such as the Red Algae Oxygen Treatment and Cryotherapy for overall skin rejuvenation and instant, long-lasting luminosity.
Donated by Dr David Jack
Silent Auction Lot 6
101 Dalmatians at the Edinburgh Playhouse
MINIMUM BID: £300
Two tickets to 101 Dalmatians at 7pm on Saturday 23 November, in the Directors VIP box, includes a half bottle of champagne per guest, a box of premium chocolates and a house programme.
Donated by an anonymous Former Pupil
