The incentive and MICE event offer in Scotland is constantly growing, with the addition of new hotels, restaurants, venues and activities, giving incentive buyers an ever-increasing choice of experiences.
We’ve picked out a few that we’re excited about as we think they can each offer something truly unique to our incentive clients. Here are some fresh new ideas for small, high-end incentives, plus two amazing venue options for larger incentive groups.
Restaurants & venues
Commanding capital views
Take in unrivalled panoramic views across Edinburgh, and delicious Scottish food, at one of the city’s newest restaurants. Seating up to 48, it’s the ideal lunch or dinner spot for smaller groups, and can be booked exclusively.
From field to fork
Experience the best of Scotland’s natural larder at a new state of the art cook school and restaurant in highland Perthshire. Learn some new skills and cook delicious food, through a bespoke masterclass, designed specifically for your group. Or, stop at the farm restaurant for a special seasonal lunch, prepared with the finest local ingredients.
Distilleries
Scotland is a hotbed of new gin and whisky distilleries, we can almost always include a visit in our programmes, or bring a tasting to a special location for your guests. Glasgow has just welcomed a new distillery at the docks and this year Edinburgh will also see a new distillery opening, nearly 100 years since the last whisky was distilled in the city. Out-with the cities, there are exciting new distilleries opening across Scotland, include, Arran, Islay, the Borders, Speyside and more.
Hotels
A boat like no other
An exquisite floating hotel, permanently berthed at Leith Docks in Edinburgh. It has 23 luxury cabins and can accommodate up to 60 people for an exclusive event. The attention to detail on this ship is incredible!
Beer on tap
For an edgier experience, one of Scotland’s best-known breweries is launching a hotel on-site at the brewery. Rumour has it that each room will have beer on tap! Launching in 2019, it’s sure to be a unique experience.
The wild Highlands
For groups who are willing to travel that little bit further to the heart of the highlands, there are two new exquisite hotels that have just recently opened. One, which was officially opened by HRH The Duke and Duchess of Rothseay (i.e. Prince Charles & Camilla), showcases some of the most amazing Scottish interior design we’ve ever seen!
The other sits quietly in the shadows of Glencoe (above) and has been a welcome retreat for travellers for over 250 years. Few places will you wake to such views, and an abundant opportunity to see Scottish deer and other wildlife.
Island life
We’re very exciting about a new hotel that has opened on Islay, one of the islands off Scotland’s west coast. The drive to Islay isn’t for the faint hearted (although it’s also accessible via a short flight), but the scenery makes it well worth the travel time. And this fantastic hotel is the icing on the cake. With 47 bedrooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, spa and cinema all on site, it’s a fantastic base for incentive groups who want to visit distilleries and to relax and enjoy island life.
Edinburgh’s newest arrivals
It’s always exciting to see what new hotels can bring to Edinburgh. Competition is high, so hotels are always striving to find innovative ways to impress, which means a great offer for our clients.
This summer a new 98-bedroom hotel in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town is set to open, offering a delicate balance between modern hotel living and historic Edinburgh. And, more importantly, it’s going to have a rooftop champagne lounge – we can’t wait to visit.
Later in the year, a 5* boutique hotel is set to open on one of Edinburgh’s most prestigious squares. With approx. 70 bedrooms it will be ideally placed for mid-sized incentive groups travelling in 2020.
And for larger groups…
Although best suited too small to medium incentives, Scotland has some amazing hotels and venues that work perfectly for bigger groups.
We’re delighted to see the re-birth of one of Glasgow’s most notorious venues, set underground in the substructure of Glasgow’s Central Station. It has the flexibility to be used for conferences, product launches, parties and dinners, accommodating between 30 – 700 for dining.
This summer a secret 13th Century Castle is being unveiled. Unseen for almost a century, a major project has unlocked the castle’s libraries, dining rooms, state reception rooms and private beaches for exclusive group events. The castle can hold up to 120 for dinner, or many more in a marquee that’s set on the 2,000 acre site. This is a venue like no other!
If you’re planning an incentive or event and would like to include one of many new hotels and venues that are opening in Scotland, the please get in touch!