Young UK Focus: at Heart No wonder those in Scotland • Last year’s Festival. are so excited about 2018; Robin McKelvie discovers what’s on offer, from a slew of new distilleries to cruise ships with outdoor hot tubs.

orget all the standard images of rugged old castles, swishing kilts and whisky distilleries that have been doing the same thing for centuries. Today, as well as these traditional charms, there is far more going on for groups in Scotland, a country after all that boasts Fover 800 islands and over ten per cent of Europe’s coastline.

In Scotland 2018-style we are talking about Europe’s Photo credit: Visit Scotland. most exciting new gallery, wee cruise ships with outdoor hot tubs and whisky distilleries re-imagined for the 21st • A view out to St Ninian’s Isle. century. Symbolising this swathe of all things new and vibrant the year has been designated the Year of Young People 2018 by the national tourist office VisitScotland and the Scottish Government.

A series of events will be held up and down Scotland, both tweaks to existing events, like the world famous Edinburgh Festivals in August, through to a swathe of dedicated events and happenings, many of them accessible to groups. The focus is not just on youths, but younger children and families too.

groupleisureandtravel.com January 2018 39 UK Focus: Scotland

• The Engine Shed.

Learning new skills and sharing will be a major part of the year’s theme. The perfect venue for this is the newly opened Engine Shed in Stirling, an attraction that appeals to visitors of all ages. It aims to educate people about how the built environment around Scotland was crafted, from the ancient stone circles of the isles, through to ultra modern architecture. The centrepiece is a massive interactive map of Scotland, a brilliant way for groups new to Scotland to get a real feel for the country.

The capital sees new developments for 2018 too with one of the most exciting Fingal, a new luxury floating • Royal Yacht Britannia. hotel from the people behind the multi award-winning Royal Yacht Britannia (we recommend champagne and cakes aboard the Queen’s former private yacht). This ultra exclusive new hideaway in Edinburgh will Pick an Interest: Golf very much emphasise the exclusive feel of Britannia with only 23 rooms, ideal for small groups. The British Golf Museum - It sits at the heart of the home of golf, just 67 yards from the first tee of Now berthed in Edinburgh’s historic port of Leith, the the famous Old Course in St Andrews. Fascinating Royal Yacht Britannia, which marks 20 years of opening displays, exclusive shopping and an amazing café are in 2018, is a fascinating visitor attraction. Visitors can all under one roof at this must see attraction. take in the magnificent Royal Yacht with a handset tour which offers a rare glimpse into the public and private www.britishgolfmuseum.co.uk lives of the British Royal Family over five decks.

40 January 2018 groupleisureandtravel.com UK Focus: Scotland

• The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

• .

(pictured left) is the official home of Her Majesty The Queen in Scotland, used for ceremonies and entertaining.

Private guided evening tours allow groups to experience the charm of the palace when it is closed to the public. Tours also include the opportunity to visit the West Drawing Room, used by members of the Royal Family, and guests finish with a Photo credit: VisitScotland and Kenny Lam. glass of champagne.

Recently opened to the west of Edinburgh is the Ferry Crossing, the UK’s highest bridge, out in the Step aboard and follow in the footsteps of Royalty to see waterfront suburb of South Queensferry. A boat trip where Prince Charles and Princess Diana honeymooned and on the Maid of the Forth (group discounts available) Liz Taylor, Frank Sinatra and presidents Reagan, Mandela is the best way to get a sense of its scale as well as its and Gorbachev were wined and dined. Highlights of the tour siblings, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Forth include the State Apartments, the Engine Room and The Bridge and Forth Road Bridge. Queen’s favourite, the Sun Lounge. Another Scottish city is actually set to grab the If it’s royalty you’re interested in, standing at the end of headlines in 2018. The Wall Street Journal has Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse proclaimed Dundee ‘Scotland’s Coolest City’.

Top picks for groups

Mackintosh at Kelvingrove – 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, ’s most famous architect and a global design icon. Many Glaswegian buildings bear his dramatic imprint, but the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is the ideal place to understand more about his work with rarely seen objects on display. Private Mackintosh themed tours are available. www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/kelvingrove • The Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. Crieff Visitor Centre – This trim Perthshire town, birthplace of actor Ewan Macgregor, is home to the Crieff Art on the Scottish Riviera – Arts minded groups Visitor Centre, a great attraction in its own right and a should make a beeline for the ‘Scottish Riviera’ town of useful gateway to the region. Groups can check out the Kirkcudbright, with the opening in March of the Kirkcudbright produce of Glass, the Highland Drovers Exhibition, Galleries. Housed in a grand listed 19th century building Art Gallery, Restaurant and Gift Shop. this new cultural hub will boast a permanent collection and www.crieff.co.uk regularly changing temporary exhibits. groupleisureandtravel.com January 2018 43 UK Focus: Scotland

The reason is the city’s massive £1bn urban renewal project, Heading north now, seriously north – we are talking a which has the V&A Dundee, the only V&A outside London, 90-minute flight from Edinburgh to Sumburgh – we get to at its beating waterfront heart. When it opens in August the otherworldly Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland, this Kengo Kuma’s crafted gem will be an international hub where massive changes are afoot in 2018. of design in a city famous for design and new technology. Dundee is bidding to be European Capital of Culture in 2023 so get in now before everyone else. Its history and heritage are still star attractions alongside the ultra new.

Pushing beyond the city’s boundaries a world-class heritage attraction awaits nearby at Glamis Castle, a favourite of the late Queen Mother. Here you can explore a 600 year old castle that echoes with tales of Macbeth and more recent Royal revelry. Superb group tours are available.

Back in the Central Belt one UNESCO World Heritage listed attraction groups sometimes overlook is well worth attention. New is a real timewarp, a perfectly preserved on the banks of the lifeblood that dates back as far as the 18th century. It may have been a part of the , but pioneering attempts were made to educate and look after workers and their families. Worth a whole day.

• Right: Glamis Castle. Below: Shetland Beaches.

Take a cruise Spirit of Scotland – The most New Seahorse – The people luxurious vessel now cruising behind the characterful St Hilda Hebrides Cruises – This brilliant family- the Great Glen, you can look old world sailing ship (itself worth run operation now operate two vessels out for Nessie from the comfort looking into for groups who want in the Scottish Hebrides – Elizabeth G of an outdoor hot tub on this more hands-on cruising and to and the Proud Seahorse. The latter only graceful canal boat. Six crew for help with the ropes) have just joined the fleet recently, but has already a maximum of twelve passengers bought a new vessel, Seahorse II, proved very popular with a maximum of ensure a high level of personal and she will be cruising Scottish 11 guests, a luxurious interior and a hot service. Dedicated whisky and waters in 2018. A maximum tub on deck where you can view the big golf cruises available. of eight guests make her ideal Hebridean skies dram in hand. www.europeanwaterways.com/ for private group hire. www.hebridescruises.co.uk fleet/spirit-of-scotland www.sthildaseaadventures.co.uk

44 January 2018 groupleisureandtravel.com UK Focus: Scotland

Ferry fares will be slashed as the SNP’s RET (Road And for the more adventurous groups, join David Equivalent Tariff) comes in as part of an attempt to Urquhart Travel for island-hopping, coast exploring bring more people into these wildly remote isles. There and whisky distilleries. The our operator also offers are now two airlines flying to the isles from Scotland’s trips with literary trails through grand castles, cities making it easier to travel to. There has never been a majestic landscapes and the stunning Munros; better time for groups to explore Orkney’s 80 odd islands mountains in Scotland with a height of more than or Shetland’s 100 plus islands. The isles are microcosms 3,000 feet and named after Sir Hugh Munro who of what Scotland in general offers, landmark attractions surveyed and catalogued them in 1891. bolstered by new temptations and improved ways for groups to get there . www.visitscotland.com

• The , Orkney.

Pick an Interest: Whisky

Macallan - Big changes are afoot this year at one of the most famous distilleries in Speyside. They are forging a brand new Tolkien-esque semi-submerged visitor centre and distillery, which will massively up production as well as bring a new restaurant, tasting space and state-of-the-art visitor experience. www.themacallan.com

Lindores Abbey – Local legend has it that the first ever written mention of whisky was right here. 2018 sees whisky production return to this abbey in Fife in the form of a spectacular new distillery. Whisky and champagne afternoon tours available as well as group tours. Accommodation opens this year too. www.lindoresabbeydistillery.com

The Famous Grouse – This blend has its home Home of Caithness Glass at the historic Glenturret Distillery just outside Watch the skilled craftsmen at work Crieff. A variety of tours are available at the in a close-up studio environment (Mon-Fri) distillery, with the best offering access into the hallowed warehouses. Superb visitor centre and recently revamped café too. Handy for the Crieff Visitor Centre. www.thefamousgrouse.com

• New Macallan Visitor Centre.

...... CaitHness Glass restaurant Gift sHop ......

...... Garden Centre Gallery antiques ...... play area free parkinG exHibition ...... 180-seater restaurant & extensiVe free CoaCH parkinG

Open 7 Days 9.00am – 5.00pm. Muthill Road, Crieff, PH7 4HQ Tel: 01764 654014 Restaurant Reservations 01764 654065

www.crieff.co.uk

46 January 2018 groupleisureandtravel.com Crieff Visitor Centre - Group Travel & Leisure.indd 1 11/21/2017 9:35:10 AM