Energetic Scotland

As it prepares to stage two of the world’s greatest sporting events in 2014, the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup, Scotland’s reputation as a leading active travel destination is stronger than ever. The country, with its world class adventure resources and wide open spaces, is a natural playground for outdoor incentives and teambuilding challenges.
    
There is no better time than 2011 for the business traveller to make the most of Scotland’s active pursuits as the entire country is currently celebrating the Year of Active Scotland. Scotland boasts more than 200 islands, as well as stunning mountains, lochs and glens and is well placed for many of the UK’s more tough charity and corporate challenges. A wide range of operators are on hand to organise unique corporate activities where both business and healthy-living can go hand in hand while enjoying Scotland’s wild beauty.
    
One challenge that has been created for the seriously adventurous group is the Big Small Isles Challenge. This new, energetic teambuilding package explores four mountainous islands within the Inner Hebrides. Organised by Wilderness Scotland – Scotland’s only five-star accredited activity provider – the challenge is for participants to climb the highest peaks of Rum, Eigg, Canna and Muck within a tight timescale. Delegates can savour the fantastic views and rigorous walking while experiencing the thrill of riding the waves between the islands on a high-speed rigid inflatable boat.
 
TEAM BUILDING
Also on the islands, but for those who prefer their feet firmly on land, the Be Your Best Boot Camp helps groups to explore the magical Isle of Skye. Promising health benefits alongside the luxury of a getaway experience, the Be Your Best team provides exhilarating and fun activities varying from raft building on Skye’s stunning Glenbrittle beach to participating in the Cuillin mountain challenge day.
     
One outdoor venue that offers the perfect location for larger groups and has a track record of successful public sector events, is Crieff Hydro. Conveniently located only an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports and centrally placed within Scotland, the hotel caters for large scale events and conferences and regularly hosts government exhibitions and conferences. With over 200 contemporary bedrooms and conference facilities for up to 500, plus more than 60 activities available to delegates, Crieff Hydro is the perfect place to combine a meeting with teambuilding. Everything is on offer, from pony trekking, archery and field sports to quadbiking, Segways safari, a water tornado ride and specially created Hydro challenge – all perfect for testing and inspiring your team. Crieff Hydro’s dedicated conference team has created delegate packages to suit all organisations and can tailor-make a range of activities that fits well with the business in hand.
    
In 2012 The International Tug of War championships in February 2012 will be hosted by Crieff Hydro. The event will see 1,100 delegates attending, using the large Melville Hall for their after party and preparing for their challenges in the superb spa. Speaking about the event, John Jennett, managing director of Crieff Hydro comments: “The enormous range of facilities allows us to look at an equally large array of business tourism from International Events from the Tug of War finals to National Association Conferences as well as smaller corporate team building and management events. ”

WATERSPORTS
Further afield and also offering a range of superb outdoor activities, Aldourie Castle on the shores of Loch Ness is a terrific location for exhilarating watersports. In summer the grounds of Aldourie host the RockNess festival with up to 35,000 revellers. For the rest of the year the grounds offer tranquillity, space and the chance to re-energise the team in some superb surroundings. The Castle partners with Highlands-based supplier, Boots ‘n’ Paddles, to create teambuilding with a twist. Visitors can literally walk on water in giant inflatable ‘wow’ balls, or take to the open waters of the loch in kayaks and canoes or even enjoy the challenge of raft building. Alternatively a high speed adrenaline rush is on offer with a thrilling boat ride on the loch with Cruise Loch Ness. Cruise Loch Ness offers two ways to get up close and personal with Scotland’s most famous loch. The Royal Scot – a leisurely cruise – is the way to view stunning scenery.  A more speedy way to see the loch is eXplore Loch Ness – a unique, fast and exhilarating rigid inflatable boat (RIB) trip accessing loch-side areas which are otherwise inaccessible to larger cruises.
    
Aldourie has gorgeous breakout rooms, 13 bedrooms in the house and more in cottages on the estate, superb food and service, plus plenty of space for mid-sized meetings. Under half an hour’s drive from Inverness Airport, which has frequent flights from the south of England, Aldourie represents a superb and speedy way to get away from it all and thrill the team at the same time.

A HIGHLAND PLAYGROUND
Further east, the Highland town of Aviemore is a true Highland playground. Central to the town is the Macdonald Aviemore Highland Resort which caters for conferences and meetings for up to 1,150 people including 455 bedrooms onsite. Within the resort, the state of the art Osprey Arena can take up to 650 seated and, with a further series of high quality breakout rooms and exhibition space, the hotel is perfect for a major association conference. With a wide range of outdoor providers based locally, Aviemore is a superb location for a meeting with adrenaline on tap.
    
The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) recently brought 560 delegates from all over the world to Aviemore for the annual global ATTA Summit. Talking about why Scotland had the leading edge, ATTA president, Shannon Stowell, said: “Scotland’s inventive approaches, understanding of the ATTA’s short- and long-term vision, and its commitment to our mutual success gave this emerging adventure travel destination the edge.”
    
For delegates who want a similar challenge to those enjoyed by the ATTA delegates, nearby Rothiemurchus Estate has a wide range of thrilling activities. Some can be enjoyed with two feet firmly planted on the ground such as Archery, Wildlife Photography and Bush Craft. However for something slightly more exhilarating a few feet up, the team offers pony trekking, safaris by Land Rover or quad biking, to name but a few. Even more thrilling activities for really adventurous teams include rafting, tubing, canoeing and even Treezone – a sky high assault course in the forest.
    
The estate, which stretches over 24,000 acres, is leading the way in environmental and wildlife conservation and takes its commitment to the Cairngorms National Park, and educating visitors about the environment, seriously. This makes activities not only challenging, but inspiring and educational at the same time.  

TEEING OFF
For those who are active but not seeking the same level of adrenalin, the game of golf is one of Scotland’s most valuable assets and is an attraction for many business visitors, particularly as our larger golf hotels have particular expertise in hosting large meetings. And with the new Castle Stuart Golf Links chosen to host the 2011 Barclays Scottish Open, teeing off will once more be top of the agenda. For many visitors, the superb range of golf resort hotels is a major attraction.
    
One best-loved conference hotel and golf destination is Turnberry. Following a multi-million pound renovation programme, the hotel boasts 198 luxury guest rooms with additional accommodation in 12 six and eight bedroom lodges located on the estate. With stimulating views and activities, this is one venue delegates or incentive groups will need little persuasion to attend. The world famous resort in Ayrshire offers a wealth of top class meeting facilities and specialises in bespoke boardroom experiences. Be it a meeting for a dozen or a conference for 200 delegates, Turnberry offers a room to suit any organisation’s event.
    
Similarly, meetings come with style at the Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa which is set beside the iconic 17th fairway of St Andrew’s Old Course. Providing a spectacular backdrop for any corporate event, the resort boasts a range of conference and banqueting facilities including executive boardrooms, an elegant Ballroom, and a self-contained conference centre providing a flexible, modern space supported by user-friendly technology.  Purpose-built break-out rooms and a dedicated entrance to the centre make it an ideal venue for any event.
    
From golf to gorge walking, Scotland has every option for the team looking for inspiration and exhilaration at the same time. With boundless fresh air and a plethora of beautiful remote landscapes and wild outdoors, Scotland is perfect for organisations large and small that are looking to escape, appreciate the outdoors and get fighting fit at the same time. And with its superb accessibility with frequent UK and European flights and good train access from throughout the UK, the challenge is not how to get there, but never wanting to leave.

For more information
www.conventionscotland.com