The 12 Day Scotland & Ireland Golf Tour is an exciting and well planned itinerary featuring Gleneagles Hotel and the PGA Centenary Course which will be the venue for the 40th Ryder Cup Matches in 2014. the tour continues on to the Old Course Hotel at St Andrews and the opportunity to play the legendary Open Championship course and Kingbarns, voted one of the top 100 golf course in the world by Golf Magazine. The itinerary then moves to Ireland and includes play at The K Club, the classic Killarney golf course, Doonbeg – designed by Greg Norman and a round at one of the world’s top links courses, the infamous Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club.

For further details including Luxury Scotland’s Whisky tour itineraries >>

Kinloch Lodge is the highland home of Claire and Godfrey Macdonald. Located on the Isle of Skye. Voted one of the world’s top 25 small hotels in Condé Naste Traveller Magazine, Kinloch Lodge is renowned for its marvellous food and is Skye’s only Michelin-starred restaurant. It is also one of only seven restaurants in Scotland to be awarded the Michelin Guide’s Red Grape for their wine list.

To help celebrate their latest Michelin star and red grape awards, Kinloch are hosting a champagne evening in November – full details >>

http://www.luxuryscotland.co.uk/kinloch-lodge-hotel/index.html

The Torridon, one of Scotland’s most romantic hotels, has joined the ranks of Luxury Scotland.

The Torridon is one of Britain’s foremost retreat hotels with a reputation built on superb food and pampered luxury with a personalised touch. Set in 58 acres of parkland at the end of a magnificent sea loch, has one of the most spectacular and idyllic locations in the country. One of The Torridon’s unique features is the Torridon Boathouse – an idylic two bedroom hideaway on the shores of the Loch Torridon.

Whether you are looking for a reviving outdoor escape, a relaxing family holiday or that romantic breaks for two – The Torridon has the answer.

http://www.luxuryscotland.co.uk/torridon-hotel/index.html

Our resident travel writer has chosen Castles as the subject for the October newsletter from Luxury Scotland. Today the castles throughout Scotland are well worth a visit. Just choose any region in Scotland and within a few miles you’ll come across the remains of a stronghold built on a cliff edge, a well-preserved fortress sitting on a loch-side or a magnificent castle fully functioning and open to visitors.

To discover more step back in time and enjoy our latest newsletter article – Scotland’s Countless Castles

NOTE: This is a 10Mb PDF file viewable online or downloadable for viewing and printing.

http://www.luxuryscotland.co.uk/scotlands-castles-article/scotlandscastlesoct2011.pdf

Our Luxury Scotland’s custom mouse mats have arrive!

With a unique illustrated map by Michael A Hill,  this ultra thin and very stylish mouse mat will add a touch of luxury to any desk. Ideal for travelling it is thin and light enough to be stored inside a diary, note book or even under a laptop lid.

The mat is a quirky reminder of all things Scottish with our member properties and selected Scottish icons incorporated into Michael’s delightful illustration. A novel gift for that someone special or as a something to brighten up your desktop.

If you would like a chance to have one of these mouse mats just send an email to mousemat@luxuryscotland.co.uk telling us why you should have one – and we’ll send a mat to the first 100 interesting respondents.

ED: Whisky and mouse not supplied!

According to our resident travel writer, there’s no better way to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Scotland than to escape to the country and explore Scotland’s National Nature Reserves and National Parks. Go Green in Scotland and there is a veritable feast for your senses awaiting you amongst those green and pleasant landscapes

For lovers of the outdoors there is the promise of undisturbed wildernesses, waddling puffins, seabirds and seals, and carpets of wildflowers on woodland floors. Take a Scottish nature break or ecoholiday in Scotland and you could bring back memories of wonderful discoveries, new sites and sounds as well as discovering the joys and luxury of some of Connoisseurs Scotland’s hotels and destinations.

Full details on our monthly Luxury Scotland newsletter – now in downloadable PDF.

Luxury Scotland is delighted to announce that Airds Hotel at Port Appin has joined Connoisseurs Scotland and is featured on our Luxury Scotland web site. The Airds Hotel is a delightful family hotel run by Shaun and Jenny McKivragan. Winner of the 2011 Small Luxury Hotel Award at the Scottish Hotel Awards, Airds is famous forstunning views, fine dining and understated luxury.

Voted Scotland’s Small Luxury Hotel of the Year for 2011, this renowned 4-star hotel sits in a the romantic setting on the west coast of Scotland overlooking Loch Linnhe. The atmosphere and ambiance at Airds Hotel is one of relaxed elegance with a hint of country house style.

The hotel’s three AA rosettes confirm that only the best will do for Chef Robert MacPherson who has developed a reputation of international acclaim. Guests at Airds delight in the dishes inspired by our chef’s enthusiasm for Scotland’s wonderful larder.

In contrast to the laid back luxury and gourmet dining, guests will find a host of activities and sightseeing options at Airds Hotel. Sea safaris, sailing and even surf boarding are all available here and nearby Lismore Island is a particularly popular for cyclists. For mountain bikers the Nevis range just 45 minutes drive from Airds offers 60km of off road trails suitable for all abilities. Whether your preference is fishing, sight seeing or simply soaking up the fresh air, Airds Hotel can arrange it.

Then, after all that activity, it’s back to the comfortable, relaxing accommodation of Airds and an opportunity to indulge in some of the best of Scotland’s larder.

For more details and a chance to check out some special promotions visit:
http://www.luxuryscotland.co.uk/airds-hotel/

Editor: One the best kept secrets at Airds is the small luxury cottage in the grounds of the hotel. Ask discreetly for details quietly.

Whether your choice is for relaxed cycling in Perthshire or challenging downhill trails in the Glencoe Mountain, there are biking trails in Scotland and cycling holidays throughout Scotland to suit every kind of cyclist.

This month our Luxury Scotland Article covers a range of cycling breaks and biking holidays in Scotland. For gentle family cycling holidays in Scotland there are rides through lush forests and natural parks, along old railway lines, and beside picturesque lochs. For the adrenalin seekers there are active mountain bike holidays in Scotland hurtling down the UK’s longest purpose-built downhill descent in Sutherland, along red-graded biking routes in the Carron Valley in Stirlingshire and for real addicts, the epic Glen Sligachan ride on the Isle of Skye.

More details of cycling in Scotland can be found in our July newsletter:
‘The Ups and Downs of Cycling in Scotland’.

So get on your bike and enjoy Scotland!

Look closely at the Luxury Scotland web site and you’ll find our new map. An inspired creation by Michael A Hill,  this illustrated map adds sparkle and character to the locations of our Luxury Scotland members and hints at the activities and attractions close by.

Consider this the starting point for our own adventure and watch how this magic map plays an important role in the run up to our 20th year celebration in 2012.

http://luxuryscotland.co.uk/luxury_scotland_map/

Luxury Scotland is inviting guests to join the thousands of whisky aficionados making their pilgrimage to the Scottish Highlands with a stay at The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa or Rocpool Reserve Hotel – two of the luxury properties in the Luxury Scotland collection.

Staying at these hotel, guests will be able to enjoy Scotland’s “water of life” in style with luxury accommodation right in the heart of Scotland’s largest whisky producing region.

Located in the Speyside region, these five-star properties offer the perfect base for exploring the source of the great Scots malt whiskies – heavy, rich sherry flavored malts and light, complex floral malts for which the area is so famous.
From savoring a scotch and chatting with the knowledgeable locals in Rocpool’s whisky bar to taking a tour through the historic distilleries along The Malt Whisky Trail, guests are offered rare insight into one of Scotland’s best-known traditions.

The Malt Whisky Trail is a 68-mile route through the picturesque glens of Speyside features the Speyside Cooperage and seven of the area’s well-known distilleries, including Benromach, where guests can hand-fill their own unique bottle; Glen Moray, which offers a comprehensive tasting and distillery tour led by the manager; and Strathisla, producer of the famous Chivas Regal brand.

Guests at the Marcliffe Hotel are privy to the best of Grampian produce, a selection of more than 400 wines and a myriad of nearby attractions, including world-class salmon fishing, championship golf and more castles per acre than anywhere else in the UK – with 11 stunning examples highlighted on The Castle Trail.

Recently named Most Excellent City Hotel at the 2011 Conde Nast Johnsens Awards , the five-star Rocpool Reserve Hotel in Inverness and its award-winning Chez Roux Restaurant, winner of Best Newcomer Restaurant at the Scottish Restaurant Awards 2010,  is a luxury escape within an hour of four historic distilleries – Tomatin, the birthplace of the modern era of whisky distilling in the Monadhliath Mountains; Glen Ord, situated on the edge of Inverness’s Black Isle, known for its sweet, dry malt whisky; Dalmore, where the tour features a sampling of the exclusive malt whisky collection; and Glenmorangie, whose single highland malt has been a Scottish favorite since the distillery was founded in 1843.

Guests at Rocpool Reserve Hotel can take advantage of the nearby attractions in the Inverness area, which include boat cruises on the Loch Ness, horse riding, centuries-old castles, Cairngorns National park, several golf courses and a range of museums.

Luxury Scotland Whisky Pages >>
For more information on Rocpool Reserve contact info@rocpool.com
For more information on The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa contact: reservations@marcliffe.com