Egyptologist Robert Hay (1799–1863) and Friends in Egypt
10-12 April 2022
Robert Hay was born in Duns Castle, Berwickshire in the Scottish Borders, and first visited Alexandria in 1818. In November 1824 he set off for Egypt again to record inscriptions and make architectural plans of all the major monuments there. Hay stayed in Egypt until 1828 and lived there again from 1829 to 1834. With a wide circle of interesting friends, he employed many now famous artists and was a fine water-colourist himself.
Programme and Keynote Speakers
The Robert Hay Seminar will include lecture sessions, discussions and (provided that Covid-19 restrictions allow) opportunities to view exhibitions. There will even be a special Middle-Eastern themed Seminar dinner to be held in Duns Castle itself!
Most of the invited speakers have now confirmed that they will be attending in person. These include our two keynote speakers, Larry Berman of Boston Museum, on ‘Hay’s Boston Collections’, and Jason Thompson, on ‘Robert Hay and his friendship with Edward W. Lane’.
Please consult the Booklet at the end of this page.
Booking
The event will be held at the Volunteer Hall and Duns Castle in-person, but Zoom access will also be available. In the unlikely event of tighter Covid restrictions being reimposed, it is envisaged that the Seminar will be run as a Zoom-only event.
Booking will open on 7 February. To book your spot, please use the following link to our Eventbrite page.
Bursaries and Visas
ASTENE is offering four (4) bursaries to existing ASTENE student members, to students newly joining ASTENE, and to non-members (who must join to ASTENE to benefit from a bursary). Each of the bursaries is worth approximately £250 and covers the Seminar registration fee (£60) and a contribution to the cost of travel, meals and accommodation during the Seminar. If you wish to apply, please download the form at the bottom of this page (Important Documents) and return it to 2020dunshayastene@gmail.com. The deadline for bursary applications is 1 March 2022. Applicants will be informed about the outcome of their application by 8 March 2022.
For visa applications, ASTENE can provide Letters of Invitation if required.
Fees
The Seminar rate (not including accommodation) to be booked via Eventbrite is as follows:
Prelude 10 April (3 pm to 5.30 pm approx.). Free, but advance registration is required.
Main Seminar (11 and 12 April): £30 for one day; £60 for two days;
Attending via Zoom: £20.00 for one day; £40 for two days.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
A full refund is only possible if your booking is cancelled before 28 February 2022.
If you cancel between 28 February 2022 and 13 March 2022 you may only receive a 25% refund.
No refund can be made if you cancel your booking after 13 March.
All requests for changes, cancellations or refunds must be submitted to 2020dunshayastene@gmail.com or mailed at
Robert Hay Seminar, The Old Post Office, 9 Main Street
Swinton, Duns, Scottish Borders TD11 3JJ
Any agreed refund will be sent to you after the completion of the Seminar.
Logistics
Accommodation. Accommodation is available at Duns Castle and its cottages, see the section "Accommodation in Duns and the Scottish Borders" for more details.
Refreshments. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at the morning and afternoon breaks. A light lunch will also be available at the Volunteer Hall on 11 and 12 April. Please provide details of any dietary requirements to 2020dunshayastene@gmail.com
Seminar Dinner (excluding drinks): this will be held on Monday 11 April 2022 in the wonderful venue of Duns Castle at £35 per head, to be booked via Eventbrite.
Car Parking: There is no on-site parking at the Volunteer Hall, but plenty of parking nearby, around the town and the Town Square. For those staying or attending events at Duns Castle there is plenty of parking beside the castle.
