Invitation

As the host society, the Association of British Neurologists (ABN) is honoured to invite you to the 10th Congress of the European Federation of Neurological Sciences (EFNS) to be held in the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow in September 2006. The ABN was founded in 1933 to promote education in and advancement of the neurological sciences, including the practice of neurology, in the British Isles. The Association currently has 1100 members, mostly consultant and trainee neurologists practising in the UK, with a number of retired members, honorary members from the UK and overseas, and some overseas members who have trained in the UK. The ABN is proud of its overseas connections and has previously held joint meetings with other individual European Societies, as well as being co-host in 2001 of the XVII World Congress of Neurology in London, in conjunction with the World Federation of Neurology and the European Federation of Neurological Societies.

The SECC, situated on the north bank of the River Clyde, is Scotland's national venue for public events. It's also the UK's largest integrated exhibition and conference centre: a world class facility set in one of Europe's most vibrant cities and only a short journey from some of the most beautiful countryside in the world and only a short walk from the City centre. The Congress programme covers clinical neurology and related neuroscience and will take the form of main topics, teaching courses, and focused workshops; the platform and poster sessions will bring participants up to date on diagnosis, management and recent advances across the spectrum of clinical neurology.

Scotland has a reputation for friendship and hospitality and historically regards itself firstly as European and secondly as part of the United Kingdom. The City of Glasgow reflects this in its diverse architecture and cosmopolitan culture. For those who have not previously visited Glasgow there are many delights and surprises in store. The University of Glasgow, situated in the West end, founded in 1451, is the second oldest university in Scotland and the fourth oldest in Britain; the magnificent Main Building of the University, designed in Gothic style by Sir George Gilbert Scott, is one of the city's best known landmarks. Other sites include the architecture of Charles Rennie MacIntosh and Alexander “Greek” Thomson as well as a multitude of green parks, art galleries, squares and the shops of the Merchant City and City centre. Within easy reach of Glasgow is the historic capital city of Edinburgh with many sights to visit including the Castle, Holyrood Palace and the controversial Parliament Building, designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles. To the north of Glasgow is the stunning Loch Lomond and the route to the highlands. To the west lies Stirling with its Castle and to the east St Andrews, the ancient university town and home of golf. Scotland also gave the world whisky and there are many distilleries to be visited along the wayside where you can observe the manufacture and, if so inclined, taste the product.

The ABN looks forward to seeing you in Glasgow in 2006, and is confident that the congress will maintain the high educational standards of the EFNS and provide a socially memorable occasion. Those who visit Scotland once always visit again. “Haste ye back”.