Special Event prepared for Van De Watering Sport Promotion
2 nights Dalmahoy Golf & Country Club Hotel, Edinburgh 
2 nights The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder 
2 nights Thainstone House, Inverurie 
 
Day 1 
 
Party arrives Edinburgh International Airport to be met by fully qualified guide & transfer to Dalmahoy Golf & Country Club Hotel. 
 
Situated just minutes from Edinburgh Airport Dalmahoy has been sympathetically developed around an elegant Georgian mansion in its own splendid parklands. The hotel boasat 2 superb golf courses and a state of the art leisure club. 
 
Using Dalmahoy as a base for the first two nights guests can explore Edinburgh and/or play a round on the hotel’s championship East Course. 
 
Suggested excursions: 
 
1. Edinburgh City Tour 
Edinburgh, the beautiful capital city of Scotland is situated amongst green volcanic hills and its earliest settlement was on the castle rock itself, overlooking the city and surrounding area. The Old Town of today grew up around the castle walls and in the 18th century the Georgian New Town was designed and built by eminent architects. 
 
While in the past Edinburgh was the focal point of the Scottish enlightenment, today the lively cultural life of the city continues with the world famous Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe, the Scottish National and Chamber Orchestras, the Galleries and Museums and three thriving universities, not to mention the city’s newest attractions - the former royal yacht Britannia and Dynamic Earth, the world’s very first geological museum. 
 
The city is also a financial centre, second only to London in importance 
 
Visits can be made to: 
 
The Castle - this landmark dates back over 900 years and today houses the splendid Scottish Crown Jewels and the Famous Stone of Destiny upon which Scottish monarchs were once crowned. Your guide will regale you with stories of bloodthirsty sieges and executions and also the sad, romantic history of Mary Queen of Scots. 
 
The Royal Mile - The Royal Mile is the oldest part of the city and is characterised by its high narrow buildings and network of inner closes and courtyards. There are a great number of fascinating building to visit, including St Giles Cathedral, John Knox’s House and The Museum of Childhood. 
 
Palace of Holyroodhouse & Abbey - The Abbey was founded in the 12th century by King David . Now a ruin it contains the graves of several Scottish kings. The Palace is the official residence of Queen Elisabeth II when she visits Scotland and offers perfect views of Arthur’s Seat abd Salisbury Crags. 
 
At Greyfrars Kirk Scotland’s most famous canine, the terrier Bobby mourned his dead master faithfully for years and is commemorated today by a statue just outside the cemetery on George IV Bridge. 
 
The Georgian New Town - Charlotte Square, the finest example of Georgian architecture and Princes Street, with its gardens and the monument to Sir Walter Scott, author of “Lady of the Lake” and “Ivanhoe” are of particular interest. You can also visit the former home of Robert Louis Stevenson, author of “Kidnapped” and “Treasure Island” 
 
2. Old Town Dinner & Ghost Walk 
This evening transfer into the heart of the city’s historic Old Town for dinner with a surprise in a popular restaurant. 
Situated off Candlemakers Row, close to Greyfriars Cemetery, Merchants is well known for its warm atmosphere, friendly service and excellent cuisine which features the very best of seasonal, local produce.  
 
When coffee has been served the ghostly figure of Mr Adam Lyal, deceased, will appear to take the party back in time. He will conduct a walking tour through the narrow closes of the High Street, introducing participants to the darker side of Edinburgh’s past. 
 
Adam Lyal was a highwayman, executed for his crimes on 27 March 1811. Hear his terrible tales! Visit the scenes of weird and supernatural happenings and meet the colourful characters from Edinburgh’s past!. 
 
 
 
Day 3 
 
After breakfast drive north across the River Forth through the ancient Kingdom of Fife and into the gentle rolling Perthshire countryside to the Gleneagles Hotel for check in. 
 
Gleneagles is Scotland’s most famous and prestigious hotel. Situated in the heart of the Perthshire countryside it offers leisure and sports facilities which are second to none. It also has 3 championship golf courses, the King’s, the Queens and the Monarch as well as the 9 hole Wee Course. Guests can also fish for trout on site. 
 
Suggested excursion: 
 
1. Glenturret Distillery and Scone Palace 
From the hotel drive via Perth to the village of Scone for a visit to the palace. 
 
Scone Palace is home to the Earls of Mansfield and was the ancient crowning place of Scottish kings and queens, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. Here you can admire the fabulous historic collections housed in the Palace and wander through the splendid gardens. 
 
The Palace is open to the public from Easter to October but to render your guests’ visit “special” we can arrange for them to have tea/coffee and shortbread in a private room . 
 
From Scone proceed to Crieff and the Glenturret. Set in the gentle rolling Perthshire countryside and dating back to 1775, Glenturret is Scotland’s oldest distillery. Today it still produces a range of quality malt whiskies with a mellow, distinctive flavour. 
 
A VIP distillery visit includes a guided tour of the plant, audiovisual presentation, visit to the folk museum and, of course, an opportunity to sample the end product. Then lunch featuring the very best of local produce and before returning to the hotel journey a chance to purchase some souvenirs in the distillery shop.  
 
 
Day 5 
 
From Gleneagles drive to St Andrews for a round of golf on one of the town’s world famous courses before proceeding to Inverurie to check into Thainstone House Hotel. 
 
Set in 40 acres of private gardens and parkland, Thainstone is a charming rural hideaway just a short drive from Aberdeen. 
 
Suggested excursion: 
 
1. The Speyside Whisky Trail 
More than half of Scotland’s Malt Whisky Distilleries are to be found in the Grampian Highlands and seven of the most famous are to be found on the World’s only Whisky Trail. Today the party will explore the Speyside area, visiting the Glenfiddich Distillery for a guided tour & tasting. Before lunch a visit can also be made to the Speyside Cooperage Centre where casks and barrels for the whisky industry are produced. It also houses a fascinating audio visual presenation “Acorn to Cask” which illustrates the history of barrelmaking or “coopering” which is so important to the whisky industry. 
 
Lunch en route, then continue to Tomintoul and the Glenlivet Distillery for a guided tour & tasting before returning to the hotel  
 
Day 7 
 
Transfer to Aberdeen Airport for departure flight.