CAMRA’s Members’ Weekend, AGM & Conference is held annually in April and is open to all CAMRA members. Not only is it a chance to discuss motions at Conference, it also gives members the opportunity to socialise in the onsite bar, attend information sessions and explore the beer scene of different cities around the UK.
After hosting the event here in Sheffield last year, this year sees it held in Dundee, celebrating the 50th anniversary of CAMRA in Scotland. It is being held over the weekend of 26-28 April. You can register to attend on the CAMRA website and receive details in advance via email, alternatively you can just turn up and register on the door if capacity is available.
Many members make a longer break of the Members’ Weekend rather than just travelling up for the conference. As well as checking out the pubs of Dundee it is a base for day trips to other nearby Scottish towns and cities. There are also other things to do aside from drink, for example Dundee is home to the V&A Design museum and the opportunity to experience life in the Antarctic with Captain Scott and his crew on the RRS Discovery at Discovery Point!
The CAMRA event is being hosted at Caird Hall, located in the City Square. As well as the AGM & Conference this features a Members’ Bar which is a small beer & cider festival open exclusively to members and will principally showcase real ale brewed in Scotland.
Whilst it is a long way to travel from Sheffield it is easy enough to get to on the train with just one change – catch a Cross Country service up to Edinburgh and connect with Scotrail services to Dundee. The cheapest train tickets are available in limited numbers if you book a specific time in advance, they are also most likely to be available at the less busy times/days. See the Cross Country Trains website for availability and to book. Alternative LNER run a daily service between York and Dundee with connections available to/from Sheffield. Various third party agencies also sell train tickets such as Uber or Trainline.
If you need cheaper but slower options it is possible by coach – some direct coaches operate, otherwise it requires a connection in Edinburgh – check out Megabus.com, Flixbus and National Express.
Dundee fairly recently hosted a previous Members’ Weekend, in 2019. Read about that here.