German Incentive at Dalhousie Castle
Thursday 3rd October 
 
Morning 
Arrival of the group at Edinburgh Airport where they will be met by a qualified German speaking guide (subject to availability). Once all guests have collected their luggage, departure from the airport for the short transfer into Edinburgh. 
 
Upon arrival in the city centre, the group will be taken on an introductory panoramic tour of Edinburgh. 
 
Edinburgh, the beautiful Capital City of Scotland, is situated amongst green volcanic hills. Its earliest settlement was founded on the Castle Rock, a formidable crag overlooking the surrounding area, offering perfect defense against attack. As the population grew in size, dwelling houses sprang up outside the Castle Walls and spread down the Royal Mile, the Old Town of today. In the 18th Century, the City further expanded when the Georgian New Town was built by eminent architects, the City was the focal point of the Scottish Enlightenment. Today, the lively cultural life of Edinburgh continues with the International Festival and Fringe, the Scottish National and Chamber Orchestras, the Galleries and Museums and three thriving Universities. The City is a financial centre, second only to London in importance. 
 
A short visit to the Castle will also be advised, finishing at 13.00hrs, once the group have witnessed the firing of the One O’Clock Gun. 
 
Edinburgh Castle is perhaps the most famous of all Scottish Castles. Situated on the top of the Castle rock which has been inhabited since before Roman times, the Castle houses buildings from the 11th century and onwards. Royal Residence for many generations and home of the Scottish Crown Jewels - the oldest in the world. The Scottish National Memorial Chapel and the interesting museum housed within the precinct makes the visit a highly recommended one. 
 
13.15hrs 
Lunch will be arranged for the group at Jacksons.  
 
Jacksons, a restaurant set in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town on the Royal Mile. There is a bistro style to this cellar restaurant, with alcoves, stonewalls, pine tables, tapestries and discreet lighting. The menu is traditional Scottish fayre but treated in an unusual and imaginative way. 
 
14.30hrs 
Departure of the group from Jackson’s and transfer to Leith, the port area of Edinburgh. 
 
15.00hrs 
A visit to the Former Royal Yacht Britannia will be arranged for the group. 
 
17.00hrs 
Check-in for the group at Dalhousie Castle. 
 
For over 700 years Dalhousie Castle has nestled in Scotland’s beautiful countryside, providing warm Scottish hospitality. Major restoration has transformed this 13th Century Castle into a unique hotel & restaurant, offering the luxury of modern day comforts whilst retaining elegant touches of the past. Just 7 miles from Edinburgh city centre and 14 miles from Edinburgh Airport, Dalhousie Castle is the perfect venue for conferences, meetings, banquets and weddings. From the moment you arrive, a warm wholehearted Scottish welcome awaits you, to ensure you feel completely relaxed and at home. The friendly atmosphere of the Castle, created by a very special relationship between the staff, management and guests, and the warmth and style of timeless interiors guarantees to make every visit a memorable one.  
 
Dinner 
Dinner this evening will be served in the hotel’s Dungeon Restaurant. The cuisine at Dalhousie is of an excellent standard and makes full use of the wide range of local produce. 
 
Friday 4th October 
 
08.30hrs 
Following breakfast, the group will congregate at the front of the hotel where they will meet up with their drivers for today’s event. Four landrovers will await the guests.  
 
Split into teams of 4, the guests will be given maps and a series of instructions and they will need to navigate their driver to a specific location from where they will be able to continue with the rest of the morning’s events. The outward journey can be arranged in a number of ways; for example, we can include questions on what the group will see en-route, or have them have to collect specific items as they journey towards Loch Lomond. 
 
10.30hrs 
Upon arrival at the end destination at Loch Lomond, the guests will meet their next mode of transport – canoes. The canoes will be provided for the short transfer from Balmaha to Inchcailloch. Once on the island, a treasure hunt will be arranged in the island. 
 
Loch Lomond is one of the most beautiful Loch in Scotland, and one which has been immortalised in poetry, verse and song. More than 30 picturesque islands stud the Loch, the largest of which are Inchmurrin (‘The Isle of Spears’) with its ruined Castle and Inchcailloch (The Island of Old Women), which was the ancient burial place of the clan MacGregor, whose most famous son was none other than Rob Roy! The scenery around Loch Lomond varies tremendously. From rolling agricultural pasture land in the south, to mountains in the north, with the imposing Ben Lomond (3194ft) on the eastern shore. 
 
Should the group not wish to make the crossing to the island by canoe, we can arrange for a small boat to transfer them over. 
 
12.45hrs 
Return of the group to the mainland, where they will reboard their landrovers for the short transfer to Ross Priory. 
 
13.15hrs 
Lunch will be arranged in the main dining room at Ross Priory. 
 
This former priory, now owned by the University of Strathclyde is proudly on the southern edge of Loch Lomond. The views from the Priory over the Loch, at least four different islands, and towards Ben Lomond are truly spectacular. 
 
14.45hrs 
Departure from Ross Priory and transfer to Glengoyne Distillery. 
 
15.15hrs 
Arrival at Glengoyne Distillery, where the group will partake in a VIP tour. 
 
Glengoyne Distillery was established in 1833 in the Campsie Hills, 14 miles from the centre of Glasgow. Because of its location, the distillery only just qualifies as a Highland Malt Whisky, straddling the imaginary line from Dundee to Greenock which separates the Highland from the Lowland malts. The distillery has been owned by Lang Brothers since 1876, and produces a light-bodied malt which is clean and fresh on the nose and palate. As well as the 10-year old, the distillery also produces a 17-year old which is well worth a try. 
 
16.30hrs 
Departure from Glengoyne, and return to Edinburgh. For the return journey, a coach will be arranged to collect the guests from Glengoyne. 
 
18.00hrs 
Arrival of the group back at Dalhousie Castle. 
 
19.30hrs 
Departure from the hotel and transfer to Stac Polly. The transfer will take approximately 30 minutes. 
 
20.00hrs 
Arrival at Stac Polly, where dinner will be arranged in the restaurant’s private dining room. 
 
Stac Polly, from which the restaurant takes its name, is a magnificent mountain on Scotland’s West Coast, the tartan curtains and decor reflect the heather clad hills and make for an air of cosiness. The strength of Stac Polly’s menu is its originality and takes full advantage of Scotland’s glorious larder to provide exciting interpretations of modern and traditional Scottish cuisine. 
 
22.00hrs 
Departure from Stac Polly and return to Dalhousie Castle. 
 
Saturday 5th October 
 
Morning 
Departure in the midmorning from Dalhousie Castle for an excursion into the Borders region of Scotland. This is a fairly unknown area of the country, but one which has lots to offer. This will be a leisurely affair with time being taken to fully appreciate the wonderful countryside and the splendid views. 
 
 
Our destination will be Traquair House. 
 
Traquair is the Oldest Inhabited and most Romantic house in Scotland. It is over a thousand years old and is still a family home. Traquair is a beautiful tower house, which contains, among other things, a charming collection of Jacobite artefacts. Indeed, the Maxwell-Stuarts were supporters of the Royal Stuarts and they will only open their Bear Gates again when a Stuart reclaims the throne. Catherine Maxwell-Stuart, the current owner of Traquair has followed in her father’s footsteps and continues the family beer brewing tradition in the tiny brewhouse behind the house.  
 
Upon arrival at Traquair, the group will be taken on a tour of the House, which is filled with wonderful artefacts. A falconry display will then take place within the House grounds, before the group move to the dining room, where lunch will be served. 
 
Afternoon 
Followng lunch, guests can either remain in the Dining Room or can move across to the Brewhouse, where an ale tasting session will be arranged. Guests will be able to sample some of the house beers – some of which are incredibly potent! 
 
The house is situated in delightful grounds. There is plenty to see and do for visitors, whether they wish to enjoy a wander through the grounds, marvel at the peacocks in the walled garden, explore the craft village, or get lost in the maze behind the house. 
 
Later, return to Dalhousie Castle. 
 
18.30hrs 
Departure from Dalhousie Castle and transfer to Prestonfield House. 
 
19.00hrs 
Arrival at Prestonfield House. A piper in full Highland Dress will be waiting to greet the group on their arrival.  
 
One of Scotland’s finest historic buildings, surrounded by 13 acres of designed parkland, yet only 5 minutes from the city centre. Magnificently furnished with the original family collection of paintings and antique furniture many dating from the building of the house in 1688, the interior represents a unique example of Scotland’s rich decorative heritage. 
 
The guests will be shown up to the Tapestry Room, where pre-dinner drinks will be served. The Tapestry Room will be exclusive to the group. 
 
20.00hrs  
Following the drinks reception, guests will make their way downstairs to the New Dining Room, where dinner will be arranged. 
 
A clarsach player can be supplied to provide background music during dinner. The clarsach is a traditional Celtic Harp, so the music would be gentle and non-obtrusive. 
 
22.00hrs 
Following dinner, departure from Prestonfield House and return to the Dalhousie Castle. 
 
Sunday 6th October 
 
09.30hrs 
Following breakfast, check-out and departure from the Edinburgh Thistle and transfer to the Braid Hills Driving Range. 
 
10.00hrs 
Arrival at Braid Hills. During the course of the next two hours, a golf clinic with skills competition will be arranged.  
 
The Braid Hills Driving Range is a superb venue which has plenty of covered shooting bays, offer video & playback facilities etc… This is located close to the centre of Edinburgh, so would be approximately 15 / 30 minutes from the group’s hotel. During the course of the 2 hours, the clinic could be arranged so that one hour is general tuition with the following hour being arranged in a fun competition format. 
 
This would be a light-hearted and informal activity which is aimed at being fun, rather than serious competition. The tuition can be geared towards the experience of the participants, so if they already play golf, then the tuition can be more in the form of correcting their “faults” etc… 
 
Lunch 
A light lunch can be arranged on site as the Driving Range does have a function room available which overlooks the shooting bays. A cold buffet could be arranged, but please note that the Driving Range does not have a liquor licence so no alcohol could be served with the lunch. 
 
Afternoon 
Departure from Braid Hills and transfer to Edinburgh Airport.