London, like all offices, has a Social Committee responsible for arranging monthly events for the whole London office.  Previous events have included a Burns Night Supper complete with Scottish dancing, haggis, songs and poetry.  Summer BBQs, Duck Tours and Halloween themed nights have also featured.

Like the other offices, Edinburgh has a Social Committee who organise events throughout the year.  Previously organised events include a wine tasting night as a 'get to know the Summer Students', which all staff were invited along to. It was a particularly good night, with everyone honing their taste buds to the various wine regions around the world. Tasting notes and a bit of guidance from the 'expert' didn't go astray either. However after eighteen bottles, everyone considered themselves something of a connoisseur.

Recently have participated in the Corporate Decathlon for the last few years.  This competition includes sports from Volleyball to Ballroom Dancing- and each event is supported with training sessions and support from local sports providers.

At the end of the 2006 Decathlon event there was a Ball. It was held at the Marriott and turned into a very 'interesting' night. A full size bouncy castle was an attraction that just couldn't be passed up by the members of Team McGrigors, despite short skirts, ball dresses & kilts! During the night there were various presentations of trophies, as well as a demonstration by Team McGrigors of their winning cheer (consisting of the members of the team spelling out McGrigors with their bodies!!). This was followed by some very enthusiastic, if sometimes painful, ceilidh dancing.

One of the Edinburgh stalwart’s is the monthly Café McGrigors. Always a firm favourite in particular with the Trainees as a warm up for a night on the tiles. Also with more senior members of staff who have had a particularly tough week and are looking to wind down into the weekend. These nights are always a good opportunity for staff to mix with people from other departments & catch up on all the latest gossip!

The social committee organise office wide events to which everyone is invited.  These range from quiz nights to Halloween parties, Burns night celebrations to comedy nights, together with the annual Christmas bash.

Hockey, football and netball clubs are open for anyone, from novice to professional, to join – all that is required is a bit of enthusiasm, some commitment and a high pain threshold together with a well stocked first-aid kit.

The trainees also have their own lively social scene which included a trainee Christmas night out.  The theme was 'bling’ (with a Capital B!) and the trainees dressed up suitably, flashing their shiniest gold chains and whitest trainers. They took over a Glasgow restaurant before heading to the local nightclub where they wowed onlookers with their dance moves. The trainees have also organised other events such as a visit to the dog racing and football tournaments.

A couple of the Glasgow based trainees recently organised a ball for trainees from all Scottish law firms.  This was held in the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh and raised over £4,000 for the Variety Club of Scotland.

Trainee Feedback on McGrigors social scene:

When I joined McGrigors I was met with a great bunch of interesting people who soon became good friends both in and out of work. The camaraderie that is created is great and there is always someone who is willing to join in with whatever activity you can dream up! Examples include ice-skating, skiing, football, tennis, hockey, rugby, as well as an unlimited numbers of nights out. But as mentioned if you can think of something different, someone will no doubt be willing to join you!

This became even more apparent when I moved office and found myself being instantly incorporated into the social circles of a number of the trainees at that office. As a result each time I moved office I knew that I would be welcomed and I now have good friends in Edinburgh, Glasgow and London, all of whom I keep in touch with and visit regularly. I believe this aspect of trainee life at McGrigors is unique and one that I would highly recommend.

The Belfast Office has been busy in past few months attending social, charity and in-firm events.  Celebrations at the new trainee's arrival, and a Partner's departure, were dutifully carried out at a local teppanyaki restaurant called the Harbour View followed by (many) cocktails in the Merchant Hotel.  The ladies of the office recently attended one of the shows at Belfast Fashion Week (the gents politely declined!).

The projects team have strived to keep their clients entertained through day trips to Down Royal Racecourse and Shandon Park Golf Course.

Members of the office regularly participate in voluntary work - such as participating in the "Time to Read" project at local primary schools and spending a day a Ballybeen Women's Centre.  The Real estate team did its bit for charity and entertained clients in one when they hosted a table at the annual NCH (the Children's Charity) event in the Ramada Hotel.

Think of Aberdeen.  If you can, picture a watery maze of grand canals, admiring the Byzantine architecture whilst embarking on a romantic gondola ride……..then you're thinking of Venice.  Think again!  The Granite City has much to offer, and we, the socialites in the Aberdeen office, take full and uncompromising advantage of all there is on show (and some that's kept under the counter).

We in the most northerly location of McGrigors like to add our own "Je ne sais quoi" to our events.  Whether it be a traditional Robert Burns Supper ("Rabbie Burns – Fa's i' boy?"*), a sophisticated cocktail and canapé evening ("Far's the drink?"**) or simply a getting to know one another over a foaming flagon of ale ("Aye Aye, Fit like?”  “Steamin' min!"***) there’s always a lot to see and do.

* Robert Burns – who was that gentleman?"
** Could you be so kind as to point me in the direction of the alcoholic beverages?
*** How the devil are you doing?  I'm rather tiddly old boy!"

The themed Christmas Party is a must, with the recent "James Bond" evening attracting such entertaining characters as Octopussy (i.e. tux plus eight toy cats), golden eye (i.e. tux plus gold eye shadow) and Thunderball (i.e. tux plus lottery ticket).  The more observant among you may note a running theme to the attire.  However, the more cynical of you may also note a running theme in the lack of effort put into the evening by the 'tux wearing fraternity' of McGrigors Aberdeen Office.  In their defence, the 'Ursula Andress bikini wearing fraternity' of McGrigors Aberdeen Office doesn't bear thinking about!

Sports fans will also feel at home, with the regular viewings of local, national and international events making for memorable evenings which often sprawl into the weekends.  Locally, the North East offers a range of walking, hiking and trekking opportunities, is overflowing with golf courses and watersport facilities and can even offer, within Aberdeen City itself, such events ranging from the sublime Aberdeen FC's relentless pursuit of mediocrity "Any Goal will do" to the "more interesting" Aberdeenshire Lawn Bowls Championship "Any Bowls a Goal".