Conference News Supplements Scotland | Page 8

8 Scotland All aboard the Hogwarts Express: take a ride on the West Highland line So, you think you know Scotland? We look at some top activities to experience in Scotland usiness Tourism continues to grow from strength to strength in Scotland, accounting for 20% of all tourism spend in the UK. There is a huge variety of unique locations in Scotland for incentive travel, topped with remarkable landscapes, fascinating history and of course, the inimitable #ScotSpirit, all providing something different for delegates. Glasgow, this is a great opportunity to bring delegates away from the city into the more rural parts of Scotland and striking landscapes. Groups can enjoy a guided tour of the village and visit the infamous Culross Palace, where the series was filmed. They can also enjoy a cup of tea in Bessies Tea Room or a glass of sparkling wine, themed BBQ and the market stalls in the courtyard of the palace. The Bear Grylls Survival Academy The Bear Grylls Survival Academy teambuilding activities in Scotland are available through various event management companies. These offer teams the chance to take on the great outdoors and see if they have what it takes to survive together in the fierce world of business. Activities include: bear attack awareness, camouflage and concealment training, sledge pull, the Giant Knott Challenge, raft build, sniper rifle shoot, survival challenge, axe throw and the famous Bear Grylls Gross Eat challenge. ‘007’ Challenge With the beautiful Glencoe in Scotland being the filming scene for the James Bond film, Skyfall, Amazing Days Scotland DMC – based in Glasgow, offers the unique experience for groups to have exclusive access to an island off Loch Lomond. Arriving on the island by speedboats, delegates can enjoy a private BBQ and Bond-inspired beverages. This unique opportunity would make any groups feel extremely special and rewarded for their efforts and hard work, which may lead to boosting their productivity and brand loyalty. Outlander Experience Tour Spend the day exploring the locations used in filming the popular TV series Outlander in the Fife village of Culross. Located just one hour from Edinburgh and Scottish Dark Sky Observatory Craigengillan Estate is home to the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory, with the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park being the first of its kind in More than just a means of transport, a train journey around Scotland can be one of the most unique and comfortable ways of admiring the stunning landscapes around the country. Widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest railway journeys, the West Highland Line is known to many as the railway that took Harry Potter from Kings Cross Platform 9 ¾ all the way to Hogwarts. For a truly magical day out, delegates can hop on the old-fashioned Jacobite Steam Train at Fort William, explore the charming Mallaig Bay, or stop off at Arisaig to take a walk along one of the Highlands’ best beaches However, catching a glimpse of a flying Ford Anglia is rare. www.conference-news.co.uk the UK and Europe, and located only one hour away from Glenapp Castle and less than an hour from Trump Turnberry. Groups seeking less of an adrenaline rush can enjoy captivating presentations about the observatory, shared use of the two telescopes, as well as naked-eye stargazing as never seen before. They can also enjoy an immersive ‘stellarium’ experience by learning about the positions of stars, constellations and their shapes, the stories behind their names and journeys across the night sky and, as a new offering coming soon, groups will be able to see live footage of the sky from locations all around the world.