Prepared for Pamela Shepherd MICE Representative Dream Escape July 2013

Prepared for Pamela Shepherd MICE Representative Dream Escape July 2013

Catherine Warner July 2009 dreamescape.co.uk

Day OneArrival into Edinburgh Our experienced guides and curators will greet the group on arrival at Edinburgh Airport or the train station. It would be a short transfer to your choice of Edinburgh Hotel where we would arrange for a drinks reception in a private hospitality suite and a smooth check-in. We could tie in measuring the gentlemen for Scottish Dress during this drinks reception. Guests could have the opportunity to pre-purchase tickets to the Fringe Festival or alternatively we could arrange to bring the Festival to the guests at the Sheraton Hotel where the whole group could dine together in the Edinburgh Suite – this would be a casual and relaxed evening. Another option would be for us to offer a ‘Dine-Around’ whereby we would exclusively reserve a range of different restaurants and guests would pre-select their preferred restaurant with some more suited to children’s requirements. Return to the hotel this evening and we would provide a turndown gift of a miniature bottle of whisky from The Scotch Malt Whisky Society together will a small silver hip-flask that can be engraved. This would be accompanied by a formal wax sealed invitation to tomorrow evenings Gala Dinner. dreamescape.co.uk

Day TwoOptional Daytime Tours Edinburgh Panoramic Tour Depart your hotel this morning with our expert blue badge guides and enjoy a wonderful walking tour of the city. Explore all the non-touristy areas on the Royal Mile. After a relaxed lunch in the Old Town you’ll wonder down to the Palace of Holyrood at the foot of the Royal Mile, HM, The Queens official residence in Scotland. You’ll also have the option of a visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia or the amazing Royal Botanic Gardens where we can arrange a guided tour with one of the horticultural experts. Glamis Castle & St Andrews Leave Edinburgh this morning heading for Glamis Castle – the childhood home of the late Queen Mother. This is a true fairytale castle and certainly a real step back in time. Your VIP Visit commences as you are welcomed by the Piper and walk through the main door and taken on a private tour with one of the in-house experts. We can then arrange for a private light lunch in the 16th Century Kitchens. You’ll then depart for St Andrews for a short walking tour around the University town where the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge studied. Return to your Edinburgh Hotel later in the afternoon. dreamescape.co.uk

Day TwoOptional Daytime Tours Loch Katrine & Stirling Castle After a relaxed breakfast you’ll depart Edinburgh and drive up to stunning Loch Katrine for a ride on the Steamship, the Sir Walter Scott. For the active members of the group we can arrange for them to go one-way on the boat and enjoy an easy cycle back along a flat path along the side of the Loch. A gourmet picnic will be provided for all guests before you head-on to Stirling Castle for a private tour of arguably the most important castle in Scotland’s famous history. Return to your Edinburgh hotel by road after the tour. Roslyn Chapel & Glenkinchie Distillery Today you can explore a small chapel that came into the public consciousness following the release of the book ‘ The Da Vinci Code’. It is an architectural gem located not far from Edinburgh and most certainly worth visiting to witness the extraordinary craftsmanship. You’ll then drive into the wonderful East Lothian countryside for lunch at a local Inn before you head onto the Glenkinchie Distillery for a private tour and tutored nosing and tasting at this lowland distillery. It’s then a short journey back into Edinburgh and to your hotel. dreamescape.co.uk

Day TwoOptional Daytime Tours Private Golf Competition For the golfers in the group we can arrange a private golf tournament at Archerfield Links in East Lothian, the Gleneagles Resort or possibly one of the courses in St Andrews but sadly not the Old Course! On arrival guests will be welcomed with tea, coffee and bacon rolls. There would then be a shotgun start with prizes for nearest the pin on the par 3 holes. At the end of the round, drinks and lunch would be served in the clubhouse and prizes awarded for longest drive, worst drive etc. Spa packages would also be available for non-golfing partners during the competition. Return to Edinburgh later in the afternoon. Highland 4x4 Safari & Falconry Experience Depart Edinburgh with your guide and driver who will take you to the edge of Loch Tay. You’ll embark on a private 4x4 Highland Safari for half a day with one of the qualified rangers. Covering around 20km on private hill roads and tracks you’ll reach a height of around 2000 ft through terrain that is home to Squirrel, Deer, Osprey and Red Grouse. Lunch in a local Inn before you participate in a wonderful hands-on private Falconry display. It’s then time to return to your Edinburgh Hotel later in the afternoon. dreamescape.co.uk

Day TwoGala Dinner Gentlemen will have full Scottish Dress waiting for them in their rooms upon return to their hotel. Ladies will in turn be provided with a tartan sash and brooch to wear over a formal evening dress. Assistance will be offered to Gentlemen to make sure they are dressed appropriately. VIP coaches will transport all the guests to the opulent Prestonfield House just a short drive on the outskirts of Edinburgh. There will be a lone piper to welcome everyone and a drinks reception with canapés. Guests will then be taken through into the dining area which can seat up to 500 and which we can dress as required, still with plenty of stage room for entertainment. We would suggest a pre-dinner whisky tasting hosted by one of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Ambassadors. This would be followed by a gourmet Scottish dinner together with entertainment from comedians in Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival and other traditional musical entertainment. We could, of course, arrange for a surprise pipe band and Scottish Dancing without wanting to overdo it given that they will be visiting the Tattoo the following evening. Transportation back to the hotel would depart every 15-20 minutes. Overnight in Edinburgh dreamescape.co.uk

Day ThreeEvening Military Tattoo After a day at leisure in Edinburgh (we can provide a guide booklet of things to do for each member in the group) the party would depart the hotel on foot for the walk to Edinburgh Castle. Transport can be arranged for people unable to walk. Arrive at Edinburgh Castle for a private drinks reception with substantial canapés and a selection of food bowls. You’ll have exclusive use of the Jacobite and Queen Anne rooms. After the reception you will walk down to the East Stand and take your seats for the evening performance of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo starting at 9pm. There is also the option to use up to 168 premier seats if there is a way to segment the group into different tiers. Depart the castle at the end of the performance and the group can make their own way back to the hotel for drinks which of course can be set up privately if required. Overnight in Edinburgh and scattered departures the following day. End of Services dreamescape.co.uk

All of our programme overviews provide just the basic itinerary information. There is of course a huge amount of detail that sits behind each proposal. If you have any questions or queries about any part of your proposal please do let us know. We look forward to hearing from you to confirm your dream escape. enquiries@dreamescape.co.uk dreamescape.co.uk

Prepared for Pamela Shepherd MICE Representative Dream Escape July 2013