Not only will the 8th International Martes Symposium be filled with fascinating and informative presentations and posters from top Martes scientists and conservation biologists, but we are also planning a variety of social events to ensure that delegates have enjoyable and refreshing breaks from talks and panel discussions. Please come join the social events that we have planned and build new friendships and relationships with other Martes researchers from around the world.
For those who may not want to attend the conference but wish to attend the social events, lunches and refreshment breaks, a special “Non-delegate” ticket option is available at the conference registration site and are available for purchase for each day of the conference.
- No-Host Pre-Conference Social
Monday Sept 11, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
If you’ve arrived early in Aviemore and are looking to meet up with friends and colleagues before the conference gets underway, we will be having an informal no-host gathering in the Cairngorm Suite’s bar the evening before the conference.
- Martes Working Group Welcome Social
Tuesday Sept 12, 5:00 – 6:30 pm in the hotel’s Cairngorm Suite
What better way to meet other Martes researchers from around the world than at the Martes Working Group Welcome Social? Please join us for a complimentary refreshment and snack while perusing the poster session, chatting with poster presenters, and mingling with delegates. A great opportunity to forge new relationships and collaborations with top Martes researchers and conservation biologists!
- Ceilidh (traditional Scottish music and dance)
Wednesday 13th, 7:30 – 10:00 pm in the hotel’s Cairngorm Suite
Join us for a night of traditional Scottish music with renowned Highland musicians, Hamish Napier and Patsy Reid. We’ll start with a seated concert featuring Hamish’s own compositions, inspired by our Scottish woodlands and native wildlife. This will be followed by the option to get your dancing shoes on for a traditional Scottish ceilidh dance. The Cairngorm Suite bar will be open all evening to quench your dancing thirst! Non-delegates are welcome, please book extra tickets at registration. (£10)

- Conference Dinner
Thursday 14th, 6:30pm, at the hotel’s Inverdruie Restaurant
This will be a buffet-style dinner, so no need to order in advance. Please let us know at registration if you have any allergies or specific dietary requirements.
Non-delegates are welcome, please book any extra spaces at registration.
- Live Auction/Raffle
Thursday Sept 14, following Conference Dinner
One of many fine traditions that we relish at our symposia is the raffle of bizarre items (when people bid and pay money to take away things they never realised they wanted) kindly brought and donated by delegates from all over the globe. The funds raised are used to support travel bursaries at future symposia. It is never too early to start sourcing items to bring, so please start scouring your cupboards, labs, bookshelves and local junk shops for entertaining and (ideally) desirable treasures that you could donate, whether they be Martes-related or not. Always great fun!


