Connoisseurs Scotland Member Properties Offer Packages and Parties for Everyone

     Edinburgh, Scotland (September 2015) – For most of the world, December 31 is New Year's Eve, but in Scotland the last day of the calendar year kicks off a national celebration known as “Hogmanay.” Though the origins of this holiday are murky (it likely dates way back to Viking times, referring to Norse celebrations of winter solstice) there's no denying this holiday is the biggest on the Scottish calendar. Visitors come from near and far to experience the magic of this holiday each year. Guests seeking to ring in 2016 at a quiet Scottish country inn or join the “biggest party of the year” in Edinburgh can look to Connoisseurs Scotland member properties, which offer a range of accommodation packages and activities to fit every style.

      While New Year's Eve lasts just one night, Hogmanay begins on December 31 and continues until January 2. In addition to general merriment and celebration, Scots observe a number of traditions associated with this holiday, the most popular of which is “first-footing.” Starting immediately after midnight, the “first-footer” is the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbor's home, usually bearing symbolic gifts (shortbread, fruit cake, or sometimes whisky) intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder. A dark-haired man is said to bring the very best luck. Some celebrate Hogmanay with a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), a traditional Gaelic gathering involving folk music and dancing. Other Hogmanay traditions include massive fireworks displays, bonfire ceremonies, torchlight processions, bagpipes, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” which was written by Scottish poet Robert Burns.

      The following Connoisseurs Scotland properties offer a range of Hogmanay packages and celebrations:

• At the lovely Airds Hotelin the Highlands near Oban, the Hogmanay House Party is a festive four-day affair.  Traditions include a freshly laid fire (to bring good luck) built with sprigs of juniper (to ward off evil spirits), music by a local bagpiper and ceilidhfor dancing (with a caller to guide those unfamiliar with Scottish reeling). A celebratory, gourmet dinner on New Year's Eve and a variety of entertaining activities round out the stay.  A three-night package starts at £684 ($1,061) per person, double occupancy.
  • Set in the beautiful Highlands town of Nairn, the intimate Boath House is offering one- to four-night packages starting at £350 ($543) per night, per room, depending on length of stay. Packages include Champagne on arrival, dinner, full breakfast, and mulled wine and mince pies in the afternoon. Hogmanay eve activities include a gourmet dinner and fireworks display on the lake.
  • A traditional Scottish Hogmanay is on tap at Cromlix, located in Dunblane. Three-night packages, which start at £1,900 ($2,947), include a Champagne cocktail on arrival, “night afore” dinner at Chez Roux and a falconry display on the estate. New Years Eve festivities begin with a gala dinner followed by a fireworks display at midnight, ceilidh dancing into the wee small hours, and finished with hot bacon rolls at 1 a.m. Brunch and clay pigeon shooting on the grounds follow on New Years Day.
  • Gleneagles Hotel describes their Hogmanay Heroics package as an “unashamedly grand affair,” complete with a black-tie (or touch of tartan) dinner, live music, pipes and drums. It's also a very family-friendly celebration, with activities for kids that include cooking classes, ice skating lessons, falconry school, talent academy and junior golf program.  Adults will enjoy air rifle shooting, chocolate demos and champagne tastings and food pairings. Dance lessons on Hogmanay eve help guests limber up for the ceilidh later that evening. Three-night packages are available starting at £4,340 ($6,732), and guests booking the Hogmanay Heroics package can enjoy an extra night with compliments of the hotel on either December 29 or January 2.
  • The sophisticated, Edwardian designed Greywalls Hotel, located just outside Edinburgh, is offering two- and three-night accommodations packages that include a festive black-tie New Year gala dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Chez Roux, followed by music, dancing and fireworks. New Year's Day offers the opportunity to relax and explore the stunning surrounds before enjoying a three-course meal. Two-night packages start at £1,000 ($1,538); three nights start at £1,400 ($2,153).
  • Located in the West Highlands, Inverlochy Castle Hotel is planning an elegant Hogmanay celebration complete with clay pigeon shoot, black-tie gala, sheep dog trial and falconry display. On Hogmanay eve, the Picts Ceilidh Band will play late into the evening, and on January 1, a Highland piper will pipe in the New Year. Inclusive three-night packages start at £2,970 ($4,608) based on double occupancy.
  • The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa n St. Andrews is offering two two-night programs for Hogmanay: a gourmet package and a family package. The gourmet, priced at £920 ($1,415) per room, double occupancy, includes fireworks at midnight with a glass of bubbly, a Hogmanay tasting menu in the 3 AA rosette-awarded Road Hole Restaurant, and full access to the world-class Kohler Waters Spa. For families, the package at £810 ($1,245) per room, plus £240 ($396) per child sharing, includes a Hogmanay dinner in the AA rosette-awarded SANDS Grill, fireworks with bubbly, and access to the spa with children's splash time. Full Scottish breakfasts overlooking the Old Course are included in both packages.
  • At the Roxburghe Hotel & Golf Course set on the beautiful Scottish borders, a three-night Hogmanay package starting at £1,375 ($2,113) double occupancy includes afternoon tea, a falconry display on the estate, a four-course gala New Years dinner, dancing to a live ceilidh band and a fireworks display at midnight. New Year's Day brings the opportunity for brunch followed by clay pigeon shooting and home baked sweet treats beside a roaring fire.
  • The castle-facing rooms in downtown Edinburgh's Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa are highly coveted for Hogmanay, thanks to the spectacular views of the world-famous fireworks display over Edinburgh Castle at midnight. Hogmanay rates start at £488 ($757) per room per night based on double occupancy, complete with a hearty Scottish breakfast.  The hotel's One Square restaurant will be serving expertly crafted gin cocktails, a fabulous four-course Hogmanay menu and a chef's appetizer on arrival.

     Connoisseurs Scotland's members include four of the world's finest golf resorts – The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa at St. Andrews, The Gleneagles Hotel, Cameron House on Loch Lomond and Trump Turnberry, A Luxury Collection Resort as well as Trump International Golf Links. In addition, there are city-center properties; country house hotels; exclusive-use properties; a range of world-class spas; an all-suite hotel; the ultimate luxury train, Belmond Royal Scotsman; and the only cruise ship in the world with a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen, Hebridean Princess. One of the country house hotels, Inverlochy Castle, was recently voted the best hotel in Europe. Six members boast Michelin-starred restaurants – including Gleneagles, which has the only two Michelin-starred restaurant in Scotland. Information about Connoisseurs Scotland, its member resorts, partners and special offers can be found at www.luxuryscotland.co.uk.

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Lauren Frye
lauren@gilliesandzaiser.com
212-724-7783
Gillies and Zaiser
CS-9-September 2015