SCOTLAND MEANS BUSINESS

By Jacques Tytgadt

'Visit Britain' invited mid of November '04 several incentive houses and BBT Online to discover the diverse incentive possibilities in Scotland. Looking back, it now seems like a fairy tale. Everything was well planned, smoothly organized, and professionally executed. The places we went to, were breathtaking in terms of scenery, the country, with its rich past, abundance of smashing castles, and ever changing skies, left us with an indelible souvenir. Not to talk about the hospitality and the friendliness of the people.
Before going into details of the trip, it is with pleasure that we want to express our gratitude to the organizers. Thanks to Myriam De Mulder for being an excellent companion, and special thanks to Lorna Hutchison for being a marvellous guide.

Day 1
If there has to be one negative aspect to mention, it probably would be the less convenient connection to Edinburgh, which kept us in Heathrow for two hours coming in as well as flying out. As the group to participate was very enjoyable, it gave us time to get to know each other, and so time passed before we knew.
At our arrival in Edinburgh, we were picked up by our guide, and on our way to Ballathie House, we stopped to visit Scone Palace, situated near Perth, and the former place where the Kings of Scotland were crowned.
The castle and the surrounding gardens are very impressive, but walking in, made us discover a overwhelming atmosphere and an incredible collection of beautiful furniture, paintings statues and so on. It was like going back in time. Everything is well maintained and clean.
We then were brought to Ballathie House, a charming hotel, that overlooks the river Tay, rich with salmon. It has 42 individually styled bedrooms.
As many hotels in Scotland, this place has a very warm and cosy interior, and we were served an excellent meal, and first class wines, and of course salmon was not lacking.

Scone Palace Perth-PH2 6BD Tel: +44 1738 552300 www.scone-palace.co.uk Contact: Elspeth Bruce	Ballathie House Hotel Kinclaven Stanley-PH1 4QN Tel: +44 1250 883268 www.ballathiehousehotel.com Contact: Nikki Cromarty

Day 2
After an excellent breakfast our guide Lorna took us with the coach to Stirling and we had plenty of time to visit this very impressive castle that dominates the city.

Considered the grandest of all Scottish castles, it offers a magnificent setting for exclusive evening events. The Great Hall has recently been restored to its 1 st-century splendour and is Scotland's largest medieval hall. It can accommodate up to 300 people in one of Scotland's most prestigious venues.

Stirling Castle
Historic Scotland
Salisbury Place
Edinburgh-EH9 1 SH
Tel: +44 131 668 8686
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Contact : Morna Reekie

Going from there, we arrived for lunch at the magnificent Westin Turnberry Resort Hotel on a hill overlooking the sea.
Turnberry boasts 800 acres of glorious countryside, golf, fishing, riding and falconry next to a beautiful spa setting with professional massage assistance.
It has been a golf resort for almost 100 years, but now also has a cookery school.
The Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy will ensure you improve your swing.

The Westin Turnberry Resort
Turnberry
Ayrshire – KA 26 9 LT
Tel: +44 1655 33 1000
Fax: +44 1655 33 1706
www.westin.com/turnberry
Contact: Louise Rattray
louise.rattray@westin.com

After an afternoon spent on site activities, we were driven by coach to Culzean Castle for a champagne reception. The arrival at dark through the splendid gardens, illuminated with torches, and at the sound of pipes was absolutely smashing.
Culzean Castle towers above the Ayrshire cliffs. The National Trust for Scotland runs it. It is one of the finest examples of work by the architect Robert Adam. Culzean can hold banquets for up to 100 people.

Back at the Turnberry Hotel, we were granted a excellent meal, accompanied by an outstanding show, were music, dance and humour were brought with dedication and professionalism. Worth mentioning was the tiny but vigorous and driving lady violin player, whose talent was doubled by a refined feminine appearance.

Day 3
After an extended, but tasteful breakfast, the majority of the attendees went for a workshop. In the meantime we had the chance to visit another splendour of Scotland's castle patrimony: Glenapp Castle.

The castle has been the home of the Cowan family since 1994. For six years, their full occupation has been the restoration and conversion of the castle and his thirty acres of magnificent gardens. That work is now finished, and Glenapp has been restored to its rightful glory.
Next to a breathtaking view through the windows of the living room, the castle offers graceful lounges and elegant dining rooms as well as 17 individually furnished and decorated bedrooms, suites and seemingly endless oak panelled hallway and corridors. All are handsomely furnished with personally chosen antiques and fine oil paintings, and individually decorated to the highest standards in traditional style.
As a conclusion, Glenapp Castle definitely is worth a visit, and hence a stay, because seeing it will make you want to stay.

Glenapp Castle
Ballantrae
Ayrshire
KA 26 0NZ
Tel: +44 1465 831 212
Fax: +44 1465 831 000
info@glenappcastle.com
www.glenappcastle.com
Contact: Graham & Fay Cowan

Back to Turnberry, hop on the coach, heading to the Marine Hotel for lunch.
Before this, we enjoyed a warm and welcoming aperitif, were champagne was not absent.
The Marine Troon hotel has just undergone a three million pounds refurbishment, overlooking the famous royal Troon golf course. The Marine was the hosting hotel for the July 2004 open championship.

The Marine Hotel
Crosbie Road
Troon - KA 10 6HE
Tel: +44 1292 31 4444
Fax: +44 1292 31 6922
Contact: Walter Kaskonas
wkaskonas@paramount-hotels.co.uk
www.paramount-hotels.co.uk

Soon after lunch we departed for a trip through the beautiful greenery, enjoying the gorgeous landscape, to arrive at the Glengoyne distillery.
Glengoyne stands just north of the Highland line and so qualifies as a Highland distillery. It was built in 1833 at the foot of the Campsie Fells near the 50ft waterfall from which it takes its supplies. It was bought by Lang Brothers in 1876 and was sympathetically restored and extended in the 1960's.
Ian MacLeod & Co. are current owners of Glengoyne, having bought the distillery from Edrington in 2003.

The Glengoyne Distillery
Dumgoyne
Near Killearn
Glasgow
G63 9LB
Tel: +44 1360 550254
Fax: +44 1360 550094
Contact : Sarah Douglas/Frances McDade
reception@glengoyne.com
www.glengoyne.com

After this tasteful intermezzo we arrived at the Cameron House Hotel for dinner and overnight. Cameron House Hotel and Resort stands on the peaceful southern shores of Loch Lomond looking out across its waters to the majestic hills beyond. It is conveniently located just 20 minutes from Glasgow International Airport, occupying over 100 acres of magnificent woodland. This exclusive 96 bed-roomed 5 stars resort provides deluxe accommodation, award winning cuisine and superb sporting and leisure facilities including two swimming pools, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, solarium, snooker room, squash, tennis courts and a health and beauty salon. Outside, another world unfolds with clay pigeon shooting and archery.
On the hotel's own 46ft motor cruiser Celtic Warrior guests can sail on the Loch and experience first hand the spectacular views and stunning countryside.
Worth mentioning are the breathtaking suites of which the “Katrine” one is the most beautiful.

Cameron House Hotel
Loch Lomond
Dunbartonshire – G83 8QZ
Tel: +44 1389 755 565
Fax: +44 1389 759 522
events@cameronhouse.co.uk
www.cameronhouse.co.uk

Day 4
The morning after made us discover a totally different aspect of beautiful Scotland. After three days of ever changing, cloudy sceneries we discovered that temperature had gone down, but was compensated by sunshine and a clear blue sky. After breakfast we left somehow to our sorrow this heavenly place, promising ourselves to come back.
On our way back to Edinburgh Airport we noticed the impressive Edingburgh Castle that probably deserves a visit, but due to time pressure we were not able to discover.

And so we arrived at the Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club for lunch and show around. Marriott Dalmahoy is set in 1,000 acres of wooded parkland, only 7 miles from Edinburgh city centre and 3 miles from the airport. It has 215 guest rooms and offers award winning dining, two golf courses and extensive leisure facilities including indoor pool and health & beauty. Dalmahoy also boasts a superb range of conference facilities up to 350 people, making it the perfect venue from your every day team meeting to your annual conference. Worth mentioning is that the traditional Marriott set-up is maintained behind Scottish castle outside walls. The well furnished bar has a breathtaking view over the surrounding golf courses and has a inviting balcony terrace.

The Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club
Dalmahoy Kirknewton, Nr Edinburgh
Midlothian , Scotland EH27 8EB
Tel: +44 870 4007299
Fax: +44 870 400 7399
Contact: Sara Stockdale
events.dalmahoy@marriotthotels.co.uk
www.marriott.com/edigs

After a well served and enjoyable lunch we departed for Edinburgh airport heading back to Brussels!