Every two months we’ll bring you a selection of the latest products and experiences across Scotland that are travel trade-ready and sure to enhance your clients’ stay. From exhilarating boat trips on the Tay, to a royally-endorsed museum in the Borders, keep reading for all the latest.
Discover what these businesses have to offer this October:
- Orkney Brewery
- Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
- Saltdog Marine Boats and Tours
- Crerar Hotel Group
- Yaldi Tours
- The Great Tapestry of Scotland
- Service Course
Get a taste of the far north at the Orkney Brewery
Location: Stromness, Orkney
Focus: Food and drink, visitor attractions, private tours
Website: www.orkneybrewery.co.uk
Contact details: Orkney Brewery Travel Trade Listing
Seasonality: Open from April to October
The Orkney Brewery is based in the former schoolhouse for Quoyloo. The 4-star visitor attraction is in the heart of Neolithic Orkney, just 1 mile from Skara Brae.
What makes it special?
- Expert tours – The tour gives guests a first-hand, behind-the-scenes insight into the craft of brewing quality fine ales. Travel through 5,000 years of history, traditions and crafts with a knowledgeable guide.
- Family friendly – Kids can enjoy playing dress up in Victorian school uniform on the children’s tour. There are also puzzles and activities, including collecting special stamps along the tour.
- New Kirkwall shop – Orkney Brewery Peedie Bottle Shop is now open in Kirkwall for those who can’t make it to the visitor centre in Quoyloo. Visitors can pick up Orkney Brewery beers, merchandise, snacks and even some keg samples to take home.
- Gift shop and café – visitors can browse the gift shop and take a break in the tasting hall, which serves delicious local Orkney produce.
All the useful details:
- They have parking for all sizes of vehicles.
- Tours last approximately 30 mins, depending on the size of your group.
- Private tours can be arranged on request.
- The tasting hall café can seat up to 50 people.
Escape to the country at Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort
Location: By Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Focus: Self-catering accommodation, food and drink, golf, fishing, activities
Website: www.forbesofkingennie.co.uk
Contact details: Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort Travel Trade Listing
Seasonality: Open all year round
Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort is situated just off the stunning Scottish coastline in Angus. Its peaceful natural setting makes it the perfect spot for golf, fishing, dining, events and luxury self-catering holidays.
What makes it special?
- Luxury accommodation – Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort is home to 14 self-catering lodges sleeping from 2-10 guests per lodge. There are also two luxury glamping shepherd huts with private hot tubs and waterside views and new luxury escape pods which accommodate up to four people.
- On-site dining – The Scullery restaurant and Cairn O’Mount bar are open 7 days a week and offer homegrown produce from their family farm next door at Omachie.
- Excellent facilities – There’s a 9-hole golf course, 18-hole Cairngorms putting green, well-stocked fishing pools and a maze all on site, making this a wonderful holiday destination for a short break or a longer stay.
All the useful details:
- Broughty Ferry and the City of Dundee are only minutes away. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Aberdeen are all within easy reach.
- They have two event spaces for use and accommodation is suitable for all year-round stays.
- They have recently invested in 6 electric vehicle charging stations.
- Travel trade rates can be offered on accommodation, food, golf, fishing or even entrances to attractions nearby and any unique packages you would require.
Blow away the cobwebs with Saltdog Marine Boats and Tours
Location: Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Focus: Activity, outdoors and active, cruising/shore excursions, bespoke tours, unique experiences
Website: www.saltdogmarine.com
Contact details: Saltdog Marine Boats and Tours Travel Trade Listing
Seasonality: Open from April to November
Saltdog Marine Boats and Tours provide fast RIB Boat Seafari trips on the Tay Estuary, departing from the scenic harbour adjacent to Broughty Ferry Castle. Formerly known as Pirate Boats, they have rebranded following an extensive break and new investment and are now the number one outdoor activity in Dundee and Angus with a 5-star rating.
What makes it special?
Your clients will enjoy seeing plenty on their trip, including the V&A museum, lighthouses, Bottlenose dolphins, grey seals and much more in safe and comfortable boats with knowledgeable guides. They can choose from the three following tours:
- One Hour Trip from Broughty Ferry – Their most popular trip and a great way to experience the open water with a tour at the skipper’s discretion taking in local sights and wildlife.
- Dundee to Perth return – This trip lasts approximately 4-hours, taking in some of the sights in Dundee, heading up through Newburgh, on to Perth and back to Broughty Ferry.
- Corporate Experience – Whether it’s entertainment or simply a memorable outing, their corporate RIB boat trips guarantee an unforgettable experience. SaltDog can offer up to three boats to cater for 34 people.
All the useful details:
- Individuals as well as small and large groups can be catered for, from 7 years old and over.
- Tours are in English and can be provided in French on request.
- Car and coach parking is available close by with easy drop off/pick up space.
Exceptional Luxury Getaways with Crerar Hotel Group
Location: Argyll & Bute / Aberdeenshire / Moray Speyside / Highlands
Focus: Luxury hotels, food and drink, spa, unique experiences
Website: www.crerarhotels.com
Contact details: See Travel Trade Listings – Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa / Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa / Oban Bay Hotel / Balmoral Arms / Thaistone House / Golf View Nairn / Glencoe Inn & Gathering
Seasonality: Open all year round.
Get ready to introduce your clients to a remarkable collection of four and five-star hotels across Scotland. Crerar Hotels offers a collection of dog-friendly hotels and inns that enable guests to access the true beauty of Scotland. Each property has its own personality and charm and will no doubt provide an unforgettable Scottish experience.
After significant investment into the properties, Crerar Hotels are now welcoming small groups, FIT and higher yield clients across the US, Europe and UK markets in particular. The group was sold to an Investment Joint Venture in early 2023, to sit alongside beautiful Dunkeld House Hotel and Fonab Castle. Here is a quick rundown of what you can expect:
Argyll & Bute
- Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa is roughly an hour’s drive from Glasgow city centre and airport. A tranquil location that is very easy to get to, this fabulous hotel is known for top local food & drink served in its popular bar and restaurant, Cladach Mor. With 69 rooms and suites, 2 meeting rooms and a shore spa, there is lots on offer.
- Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa is a short 45-minute ferry ride from Oban on the stunning Isle of Mull. The Sea Deck and Òran
na Mara bistro offer an array of fresh seafood which will delight your clients. It is perfect for FIT and small groups with its 75 rooms and suites, meeting room and spa. - Oban Bay Hotel in Oban is the perfect base for island hopping with many ferries connecting the mainland to Mull, Lismore, Tiree, Mallaig and more. This charming hotel boasts 72 rooms and suites, 2 meetings rooms, a thermal experience as well as an AA Rosette Grill Room and a bar.
Aberdeenshire
- Balmoral Arms (formerly Deeside Inn) is located in the heart of the picturesque village of Ballater, brimming with royal connections. The AA five silver star inn boasts 46 rooms and suites and provides 1852 restaurant, The Ghillies Bar and The Spa at Balmoral Arms .
- Thainstone House is a short drive from the vibrant town of Inverurie and close to Aberdeen City Centre. The hotel welcomes FIT & small groups of up to 12 people with parking available for small executive coaches. This 18th-century grand mansion boasts 48 rooms and suites, an onsite spa, 4 meetings rooms, the AA Rosette Green Lady and the Stockman’s Bar.
Moray Speyside
- Golf View Nairn is a lovely Morayshire spa hotel near Inverness with 42 rooms and suites that welcomes groups and FIT. The hotel also boasts an AA-Rosette awarded restaurant, Hickory, a bar, spa, and meeting room.
The Highlands
- Glencoe Inn provides five-star accommodation near the West Highland Way and has 15 rooms and suites as well as a private 5-bedroom house. The inn provides a welcoming environment, with spacious lounge and bar areas and a hidden garden spa.
See Edinburgh Through New Eyes with Yaldi Tours
Location: Edinburgh
Focus: Walking tours, private tours, storytelling, history and heritage, Jacobite History in Edinburgh
Website: www.yalditours.com
Contact details: Yaldi Tours Ltd Travel Trade Listing
Seasonality: Open all year round
Yaldi Tours is an Edinburgh-based tour company, specialising in large group nightlife tours and period-dressed walking tours. In everything Yaldi Tours do they like to keep it a bit ‘Yaldi’ and break the mould with alternative perspectives and narratives.
What makes it special?
With their immensely popular Edinburgh Pub Crawl, now in its 10th year, Yaldi Tours has unearthed and now shares rebellious history of Scotland’s capital and its people with these 2 new tours:
- The Rebel’s Footsteps Edinburgh’s Jacobite Weapons Tour is approximately 2 hours long and retraces the steps of the Jacobite rebellion as visitors are invited to ponder what could have been.
- La Belle Rebelle Edinburgh’s Rebel Women History Tour is just over 2 hours and focuses on the rebellious women of Edinburgh’s history.
All the Useful Details:
- Yaldi Tours offer private walking tours.
- Functions and event hosting are available depending on your clients’ requirements.
Royal Connections at The Great Tapestry of Scotland
Location: Scottish Borders
Focus: National gallery/museum, Scotland’s history
Website: www.greattapestryofscotland.com
Contact details: The Great Tapestry of Scotland Travel Trade Listing
Seasonality: Open all year round
The Great Tapestry of Scotland have recently welcomed Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to visit. A new panel, finished by Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, will be hung to commemorate their visit.
What makes it special?
- Queen Camilla’s panel – This is the first new panel in 10 years which complements 14 other panels that reflect Scotland’s connection with the Royal Family.
- Scotland’s Story – Your clients can experience an exhibition of Scotland’s Story which tells the story of the Scottish nation in key events as well as everyday stories of the Scottish people and their ordinary lives.
All the useful details:
- Your clients can take advantage of the new group packages when they next come to see this specially designed panel.
- The Great Tapestry of Scotland is located in Galashiels, just a short walk from the train stop on the Borders Railway.
- Galashiels is only an hour’s drive from Edinburgh.
Service Course
Location: All over Scotland
Focus: Cycling, outdoor and active, activity, bespoke tours
Website: www.servicecourse.com
Contact details: Service Course Travel Trade Listing
Seasonality: Open all year round
Service Course offers unique road cycling holidays in Scotland, providing extraordinary cycling experiences since 2013.
What makes it special?
- The expertise – Each tour is organised and delivered by GB performance coaches and is fully-supported by their pro support team of ride guides, mechanics, physios and Tour Manager. Clients will receive expert advice every pedal of the way, helping them to progress as a rider.
- Epic locations – There’s no better way to experience Scotland’s open roads, spectacular scenery and local culture with this epic guided cycling experience.
- A little bit of luxury – After a hard day’s ride, clients can relax and unwind in sumptuous surroundings. Service Course use only the best accommodation that Scotland has to offer.
All the useful details:
- Ride single day or multi-day, point-to-point or from one location, on a holiday tour or training camp designed and run by the road cycling specialists in Scotland.
- Service Course typically take groups of around 10 riders on 3-5 day established routes, but they can also create bespoke trips upon request.
Find out more
Visit our Suppliers listing for hundreds of other travel trade-ready product across Scotland. If you have any queries, please reach out to your usual VisitScotland contact or travel.trade@visitscotland.com.