The organisers of the 2009 McCrae's Battalion Trust pilgrimage to Contalmaison are now taking bookings for this year's trip.

The group will be based in a superb hotel in the centre of Amiens, a major city with a huge selection of atmospheric pubs, restaurants and tourist attractions.

Travelling out on the ferry from Hull again, the adventure will be 'bookended' by two great social nights.

Historian and McCrae's Battalion trustee Jack Alexander, who'll be leading the party, has incorporated some new locations into the itinerary - including the sites where Hearts players Jim Speedie and Jim Boyd were killed. There'll be a couple of surprises as well - including one which should be particularly memorable!

The ceremony - as always - takes place on 1st July, when the group will be joined in France by representatives of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government. Hearts managing director Campbell Ogilvie is particularly proud to be representing the club for his first time.

The official coach leaves Edinburgh from Waterloo Place on Monday 29th June and returns on Friday 3rd July. The cost is £399 per person - which includes the cost of breakfast and evening meals on the ferry.

Trustee Jack Alexander said: "Our annual pilgrimage is just a wee bit different from most battlefield excursions.

"We don't go out to Belgium and France to be miserable. We go out to remember the lads in a way that we think they would like us to remember them.

"With a smile on our faces. The sombre moments are all the more moving as a result. Each trip has been different; no two remotely the same.

"We've had ditched buses, lost club captains, bruised soldiers and all sorts of unexpected challenges.

"In the opinion of most of our regulars, you will never forget the Memorial or the extraordinary time you spend with us. So please consider signing up. We'd love to have you along."

Anyone interested in reserving a seat is welcome to contact the MB Trust through their website, www.mccraesbattaliontrust.org.uk or phone Trust secretary Alan Owenson on 01875 812455 (evenings and weekends).