Winter incentive ideas
 
DAY 1 – Thursday 9th March 2006 
 
10.50hrs Arrival of the group at Edinburgh Airport, where they will be welcomed by a qualified French or Dutch-speaking guide (subject to their availability). Once all the guests have collected their luggage, departure from the airport and transfer into the centre of town, where an introductory panoramic tour will be organised. 
 
Edinburgh is really two towns in the one city. There is the Old Town, which is medieval in appearance and is full of high “tenement” buildings with their narrow alleyways which lead into small courtyards behind. The Old Town is the original Edinburgh, but as the population grew, the need for expansion beyond the original city walls was required, and the New Town was developed in the 1800s. The New Town is Georgian in appearance with elegant town houses with private gardens and classic crescents. The New Town was originally intended for the rich inhabitants of Edinburgh and for the incoming businesses. 
 
Lunch For the group’s first lunch, we would suggest arranging a relaxing pub lunch for them. One possible lunch venue would be the Sheep Heid Inn. 
 
Nestling the shadow of Arthur Seat, close to Duddingston Loch, The Sheep's Heid is said to be one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh, dating from 1360. The name derives from the design of a snuffbox given by King James VI. Previous regulars include Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie who is thought to have visited during events during the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745. The Sheep’s Heid has a very old-world feel to it and is the ideal location for a fun and relaxed evening. 
 
Afternoon Following their lunch, their tour of Edinburgh will continue. During the course of the afternoon, a visit could be arranged to Edinburgh Castle for the guests. 
 
Edinburgh Castle is perhaps the most famous and most photographed of all Scottish Castles. Perched on top of an extinct volcano, which has been home to various communities since before Roman Times, the Castle houses a collection of buildings which date from the 11th century onwards. The Castle was a Royal Residence for many generations and is now home to the Scottish Crown Jewels - the oldest in the world. The Scottish National Memorial Chapel and the interesting museums housed within the precinct make the visit a highly recommended one. The Castle is also an active military garrison and is home to various Scottish regiments. 
 
Later Transfer to the group’s chosen hotel and check-in. If we arrange for a separate luggage van to take their luggage from them when the group first arrive at the airport, we could arrange for their bags to be waiting for them in their rooms when they arrive at their hotel. 
 
Evening To mark their arrival in Scotland, we would propose arranging a whisky tasting and dinner for the group at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. 
 
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is a private association for whisky enthusiasts, with members throughout the world. The society is able to secure whiskies which have a far higher percentage of alcohol than can be purchased externally. The society’s headquarters are located in what was an old wine warehouse in Leith, the port area of Edinburgh, however in 2004, the Society opened additional tasting rooms in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. During a visit to the SMWS, guests will be told about the different types of whiskies (highland, lowland, Speyside and island) and will be advised on how best to appreciate whisky (both by smell and by taste). This is an absolute must for those interested in Scotland’s national drink. 
 
 
DAY 2 – Friday 10th March 2006 
 
Morning Following a hearty Scottish breakfast, departure from the group’s hotel and transfer to a private estate where a full day of activities will be arranged for the guests.  
 
The day will offer the guests the possibility to take part in some field sports activities in the morning, followed by an afternoon of highland games. We would propose arranging it in this format so that guests may enjoy a beer or 2 at lunch, whereas if the motorised activities were kept to the afternoon, no alcohol could be served. 
 
Upon arrival at the estate, the group would be welcomed by the activity team who, whilst a warming cup of coffee is served, will explain how the days events will unfold. The group would be split into 4 teams (or clans). 
 
Morning activities: 
Clay Pigeon Shooting – 2 stands 
Quad Bikes 
Off Road Driving – 3 vehicles 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lunch Guests would return to the converted farm steading where a warming farmhouse lunch of soup followed by a hot main course will await them. 
 
Afternoon Upon conclusion of the lunch, a piper will lead the guests back out to the events field, where this time they will test their skills at some traditional and some no-so-traditional highland games events. These would comprise: 
 
Tossing the Caber 
Weight over Bar 
Welly Hurling 
Highland Dancing 
Haggis Malt Challenge 
Tug o’ War Finale 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Later After all teams have tried their hardest to prove themselves to be the strongest clan, the guests will return to the barns for tea & fruitcake. The scores from both the morning and afternoon’s activities will be tallied and then the scores will be announced. The activities can be arranged in a fun or serious format, and prizes can be presented (optional). 
 
Evening For this evening, we would propose arranging a light, informal evening in Edinburgh, starting with a dinner at a restaurant in the Old Town followed by participation in one of the walking tours of the High Street. 
 
Dinner could be arranged in various restaurants, but possibilities are either Merchants or Jacksons. 
 
Under the arches of George IV Bridge lies Merchants, a jolly restaurant with bright scarlet walls to liven up the cosy, rustic feel. Welcoming armchairs await those who forgot to book and the extensive bar reassures all those fond of their aperitifs. The dining area stretches back providing plenty of room for larger parties, while mirrors open up the area divided by the occasional white drape adorning the old beams. The menu has a fairly traditional selection of haggis, lamb and beef but there are specialities such as mille-feuille of scallops and monkfish or game such as guinea fowl served with bacon and calvados. This restaurant is popular with tourist, local inhabitants and the local business population. 
 
Discretely located by Jackson's Close on the historic Royal Mile in a 300 year old listed building in the heart of Edinburgh's 'old town', Jacksons is a cosy basement restaurant with the sort of period feel that visitors adore. The interior is not so much Scottish as based upon a medieval film set, with tapestry hangings softening the rose-coloured rough stone walls, jewel-coloured tapestry chairs, cosy nooks and crannies, wrought iron candelabra and a profusion of flora including trailing ivy and the obligatory thistles. Service is a slick and professional team effort, and there's the distinct feeling that the staff are enjoying themselves as much as the customers. 
 
After dinner, a private Murder & Mystery walking tour would be arranged for the group. Please note that the tours are carried out in English. 
 
Guests will depart on a private Murder & Mystery, lead by Adam Lyal – their costumed guide. He will guide the group through the back streets and alleyways of Edinburgh’s Old Town, telling tales of her history and of some of her most famous (and infamous) characters. Considering that your guide is, in fact the ghost of Adam Lyal – Adam Lyal having been hung for his crimes as a highwayman – who knows how many other ghostly characters will put in an appearance during the tour. 
 
 
DAY 3 – Saturday 11th March 2006 
 
Morning Following breakfast, the group will gather for a briefing by one of the activity staff who will explain how the morning’s activity will take place. The guests will be invited to participate in a taxi rally around Edinburgh. 
 
A traditional black cab can seat up to 5 passengers (3 facing forwards & 2 facing backwards), but for the sake of passenger comfort, we would advocate no more than 4 persons per taxi. However, based on a group of 25 pax, the most logical booking would be 6 taxis (5 with 4 pax, and 1 with 5 pax).  
 
Each team will be provided with a questionnaire, maps, a cash float and a Polaroid camera with a 10-shot film. They will then be challenge to answer a number of questions in various categories: 
 
 Navigation – the teams are the ones who tell the taxi driver where to go.  
 
 Information Hunt – following questions and going by the clues provided, the teams are challenged to visit as many places of interest as possible. 
 
 Scavenger Hunt – teams are provided with a list of items to beg, borrow or ….. These will range from the absurd to the ridiculous, and points are awarded according to which items they return with. 
 
 Photo Hunt – a list of shots to be taken will be provided. The teams are challenged to maximise their points by going for the most challenging shots on the list. 
 
Lunch We would propose arranging lunch for the group at a restaurant in the town of South Queensferry, situated just outside Edinburgh. 
 
Orocco Pier is a relatively new venue that is located in the traditional heart of South Queensferry. Whilst the exterior of the building is of a traditional style, the interior is the complete opposite – spacious, innovative and very contemporary in style. The dining room at the restaurant offers some of the most spectacular views towards the Forth Rail Bridge. 
 
Afternoon If the group wished to enjoy some time at leisure in Edinburgh, we could arrange a direct transfer back to their hotel by coach or alternatively, we could arrange a private visit for the group to nearby Dalmeny House. 
 
Set in lovely grounds overlooking the Firth of Forth, Dalmeny is the family home of the Earls of Rosebery who have lived here for over 300 years. The present house dates back to 1815 and was built in the Tudor Gothic style by William Wilkins. The portrait gallery houses a magnificent collection of paintings and also to be admired are the 18th century furniture, tapestries and porcelain from the Rothschild Mentmore Collection, not to mention the Napoleon Collection. 
 
Evening For the group’s final night in Edinburgh, we would propose arranging a dinner for them at Prestonhall. 
 
Prestonhall was built by Robert Mitchell in 1791 for Alexander Callander who had recently returned from India where he made his fortune as a trader in the East India Company. The house was suitably comfortable and well appointed for a man of his position and it remains to this day the family home of the Callanders. Prestonhall is renowned for its fine, beautiful interiors. Much of the furniture dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries and provides a superb setting for receptions – the present proprietor has hosted members of the British Royal family. The house is now considered to be one of the finest Georgian houses in the south of Scotland. 
 
Upon their arrival at Prestonhall, a piper dressed in full dress regalia will be playing (optional). The guests will then be welcomed by the present owner of the House, Major Henry Callander. The Major is a charming gentleman who takes great pleasure in welcoming people to his home, and delights in telling stories of the home, the many wonderful artefacts contained within and of his ancestors.  
 
Guests will be taken on an informal tour of the House whilst pre-dinner drinks and canapés are served. This can conclude with a short display of Highland dancing in the Music Room (optional). Dinner is then served in the Dining Room. The tables will be enhanced with pieces of the family silver and candles. 
 
Musical entertainment during dinner could be provided by a clarsach player (optional). A clarsach is a traditional celtic harp, so the music is quite soft and gentle and would not over-power any conversations between guests. 
 
 
DAY 4– Sunday 12th March 2006 
 
Morning Following the late finish to the previous night’s formal dinner, we would propose a later breakfast for the guests before their onward transfer to Edinburgh Airport.  
 
For a flight departing at 11.55hrs, the group would need to check in no later than 10.15/10.30hrs, so this would require a departure from their hotel by 09.45hrs.