11 minute read
DESTINATION: SCOTLAND
Burrell Collection.
“Geein it laldy” in bonny Scotland…
A MICE Familiarisation trip adventure in the Scottish sunshine with Cashel Travel and euromic.
By Kathy Lavery, business development manager, South Africa, euromic
Scotland — a thrilling and revelatory past, a cornucopia of ancient and ultramodern landmarks, and the enduring legends of bygone kings and queens in whose steps we walked on our journey in this truly magical destination.
Pairing Glasgow with Edinburgh for travel incentives offers a dynamic Scottish experience. While Edinburgh is known for its historic charm and iconic landmarks like Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, Glasgow complements it with vibrant cultural scenes, including its thriving arts scene, diverse culinary offerings, and lively nightlife. Visitors can explore Glasgow’s world-class museums then hop over to Edinburgh to stroll along the picturesque streets of the Old Town or attend one of its many festivals. The proximity of these two cities allows groups to enjoy the best of both worlds, from Edinburgh’s regal elegance to Glasgow’s edgy urban vibe, making it an enticing option with ‘creative accounting’ to help your budget for incentive travel.
Cashel Travel, United Kingdom and Ireland DMC partner in the euromic portfolio, showcased the best of the best for immersive experiences in Scotland, including a rare sighting of the Aurora Borealis… it’s amazing what reputable DMCs can pull off nowadays…
Cashel Travel and euromic cordially invites you to delve into the handpicked and immersive discovery of Scotland we were lucky enough to experience!
The first stop was Glasgow with a stay at the brand spanking new Sandman Signature Glasgow Hotel, a seamless blend of contemporary luxury and Scottish charm. Positioned between Glasgow City Centre and the West End, an ideal base for exploring the city’s renowned shopping and diverse culinary scene.
What’s the first thing to do in Scotland…? Learn to play the bagpipes of course!
After being musically welcomed by a fully kilted-up Scottish bagpiper, we explored the Museum of Piping at The National Piping Centre. It holds three hundred years of piping heritage! We were given a private tour of The Museum of Piping. We then received a full demonstration of the bagpipes from the Bagpiper Host, Brody, along with an opportunity to learn how to play the pipes… it was a blend of difficulty meets hilarity and stomach muscles we didn’t know existed, to say the least.
The next stop was a curator tour and lunch at the Burrell Collection. This remarkable collection will take you on a tour of 6,000 years of history. The Collection holds treasures from all over the world. Highlights include one of the most significant collections of Chinese art in the UK and objects from ancient civilisations, including Roman sculpture and Egyptian pottery more than 2,000 years old. There are medieval treasures including stained glass, arms and armour, and over 200 tapestries that rank amongst the finest tapestries anywhere in the world. Entrance is free of charge, so it’s a great optional or leisure activity stop for incentive groups for the culture vultures. A wonderful place truly, as well as world-class ‘scran’ at the fabulous Benugo restaurant.
We headed to dinner with a fabulous concept… Mharsanta, a Culinary Gem in the Heart of Glasgow.
Mharsanta stands as a beacon of traditional Scottish hospitality and cuisine. This acclaimed restaurant, whose name means ‘merchant’ in Gaelic, is a celebration of Scotland’s rich culinary heritage, offering a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can indulge in authentic flavours crafted with passion and care. The restaurant prides itself on sourcing the finest local ingredients, from succulent Highland beef to fresh seafood from the nearby coasts. Signature dishes include haggis and neeps. The evening saw a tasting menu created to showcase Scotland’s finest produce accompanied by tasting sessions including The Glenlivet, Caorunn Gin, Innis & Gunn, Johnnie Walker & Talisker. We were surrounded by digital screens of Scotland’s great scenery with master distillers, brewers, and chefs talking through the products they had before them.
The next day, after an educational panoramic tour of Glasgow, we found ourselves castle bound to Craufurdland Castle Estate where we immersed ourselves in the rich history and charm of Laird Simon and Lady Adity with a ‘Meet the Laird & Lunch’ experience. This unique event offered us a delightful combination of personalised interaction, historical insights, and a delicious lunch. The experience began with an exclusive opportunity to meet and greet the current Laird of Craufurdland, over a glass of bubbles, and petting his dogs! We engaged in personal conversations with the Laird, learning about the estate’s intriguing history. This intimate interaction provided a rare glimpse into the life and legacy of a Scottish Laird and their ancestral home with stories, anecdotes, and loads of laughs.
After a brilliant lunch at the castle, it was onward to Ayrshire to the fabulous Trump Turnberry, a luxury hotel and golf resort located on the Ayrshire coast. It is one of the most prestigious and iconic golf destinations in the world. The hotel offers elegant and luxurious guest rooms and suites with stunning views of the Ailsa Craig, Isle of Arran, and the Firth of Clyde. Trump Turnberry is best known for its world-class golf courses. The Ailsa Course and the King Robert the Bruce Championship Course. The Ailsa Course has a rich history and has hosted numerous prestigious golf tournaments, including The Open Championship.
The iconic Turnberry Lighthouse stands near the 9th hole of the Ailsa Course. It serves as a halfway house for golfers and is also available for private dining events. We were lucky enough to enjoy champagne and canapes at the Turnberry Lighthouse in the Scottish sunshine overlooking the seaside. This was truly memorable, followed by the most incredible meal at the hotel’s restaurant. It was here that we witnessed the magical Northern Lights.
The following day, after a sumptuous breakfast, we sampled some of the activities on offer. Clay Pigeon Shooting, testing our aim in the most idyllic sceneries and an entertaining golf clinic at Ailsa Golf Course. A clubhouse lunch was enjoyed at ‘Duel in the Sun’ before our departure with a gin and tonic to whet our wee whistles.
Trump Turnberry also offers horse riding along the beach or through the countryside. Falconry sessions allow guests to engage with majestic birds of prey. Archery, and quad biking provide additional thrills for adventure seekers.
We were on our horses from Turnberry to experience a private ‘Rekindled’ experience at
Rosebank Distillery, a private tour before the distillery was even open to the public. It was a treasure trove of history and flavour, renowned for its triple-distilled Lowland single malt whisky, and, of course, another opportunity for ‘a wee dram’. Established in 1798, it has a storied past marked by periods of closure and revival, most notably reopening in 2017, after being mothballed in 1993. The distillery’s unique whisky profile, characterised by its light, floral notes, owes much to its traditional worm tub condensers and the use of barley malted on site.
On to Edinburgh, we drove to The Radisson Blu Hotel in Edinburgh, an architectural gem nestled on the historic Royal Mile, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The hotel seamlessly blends modern amenities with historic charm, as its building incorporates parts of the 16th-century Bailie Fyfe’s House. With 238 rooms, the hotel offers stunning views of iconic landmarks such as
Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. The hotel’s location also places guests within walking distance of major attractions such as the National Museum of Scotland and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, making it a perfect base for exploring the rich heritage of Scotland’s capital.
We were treated to an exclusive welcome drinks intimate event in the hotel bar — the Itchycoo, before heading off to Fazenda restaurant. This restaurant is known for its churrasco-style dining, where servers bring skewers of grilled meats and carve them tableside for guests. Fazenda Edinburgh is a popular destination for meat lovers and those looking for an interactive dining experience. It is located on George Street in the city centre and ready to host large South African meat-eating groups up for the challenge.
One of the highlights of the trip was a pre-opening tour of the iconic Edinburgh Castle. The castle receives up to 8,000 visitors per day, so having the castle to ourselves was mind-blowing! Playing a seminal role in Scotland’s extraordinary history and one-time home of Mary Queen of Scots, King Arthur (yes, really!) and King of Scotland, James VI, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most breathtaking and instantly recognisable fortresses in the world today. Crowning the city atop a 340-million-year-old brooding volcanic crag, its fabled chapels, vaults, museums, and very own Scottish Crown Jewels set our imaginations ablaze.
Papple Steading was the next experience, sensitively restored with meticulous attention to detail, Papple Steading is Scotland’s finest 19th-century farm.
After a brief inspection, we found ourselves making our very own skincare products at a Meadow-grown skincare workshop. Seilich products, founded by botanist and nature conservationist Dr. Sally Gouldstone, offer a unique skincare experience rooted in sustainability and nature’s abundance. They source ingredients from their wildflower meadow in the Lothians of Scotland, where the meadows provide sanctuary for pollinating insects.
Next was a foraging experience where Buck and Birch expert, Rupert taught us how to safely identify and sustainably harvest a variety of plants and fungi available in season for delicious meals and craft drinks. Combining their knowledge and fascination for native ingredients, Buck and Birch create a dining experience for us using only ingredients harvested from the wild. We enjoyed a tasting of their award-winning liqueurs experiencing natural flavours that encapsulate the spirit of nature with some tasty wild nibbles, beautifully presented in a true Scottish setting.
Another special evening followed with a private tour and pre-dinner drinks and dinner at the Georgian House, complete with bagpipes and highland dancers!
Situated in historic Charlotte Square, The Georgian House provides a glimpse of life in the New Town in the 18th century. The house has been magnificently restored to show a typical Edinburgh New Town house of the late 18th and early 19th century. We were treated to a private tour to see the fine collections of period furniture, porcelain, silver and glass that reflected the lifestyle and the social and economic context of the time.
The trip drew to a close with the final few experiences, an excursion to the Mary King’s Close, a fascinating historical site that offers a glimpse into life in the city’s past. Named after Mary King, a merchant burgess who lived there in the 17th century, the close is a series of narrow streets and hidden alleyways preserved beneath the Royal Mile. In the 1600s, it was a bustling area, but it was later partially built over, leading to stories of it being haunted. We explored the underground labyrinth, which included preserved rooms, streets, and even remnants of a plague doctor’s dwelling!
The Johnnie Walker Princes Street Experience, in the heart of Edinburgh, takes whisky-loving visitors on a memorable journey through the legendary whisky brand’s nearly 200-year history — and what a journey! Featuring rooftop bars, a live performance area, private dining opportunities and, state-of-the-art immersive tasting rooms — alongside tours and tasting experiences. There’s a lot to see across its eight floors! The breathtaking 1820 Rooftop Bar, with what are probably the best views across the city, is a popular spot for cocktails, whisky tastings, and light bites. This fantastic spot was the farewell lunch setting before jetting off as part of euromic’s hosted buyer group to IMEX Frankfurt.
