For many people, it will be the nation’s history: a rich tapestry that weaves together the bravery of its kilted clan warriors, the vivid literature of its wordsmiths, and even the spine-tingling legends that still haunt its crypts and graveyards.
For others, it will doubtless be Scotland’s peerless reputation as a purveyor of world-class gins and whiskies, with an enviable wealth of distilleries dotted across its countryside. The wild and windswept highlands, the glittering Glasgow nightlife, the gothic spires of Edinburgh’s skyline – they all loom large in the cultural imagination.
But sometimes, the gems located off the beaten track are all the more precious for their rarity.
Here at K&N Travel, we specialise in the bespoke, the unexpected, and the undiscovered – and we recently had the privilege of working with a client group who gave us the opportunity to show off one of Scotland’s lesser-known corners.
The Kintyre peninsula on Scotland’s west coast is perhaps not the first place that most incentive groups would think to travel to, but its rugged coastline, dotted with picturesque fishing villages, lends it an unmistakable authenticity for anyone wishing to discover the true soul of the Scottish coast. On a clear day, the drive down to Campbeltown at the tip of the peninsula offers some truly spectacular views – even the cliffs of the Irish coastline, swimming into view over the southern horizon, seem almost close enough to touch.
This was the destination chosen by an adventurous, 70-strong corporate group for their incentive trip at the start of September this year. They were a delightfully enthusiastic group to work with, throwing themselves into each activity with unrestrained exuberance – and after all, when out and about in the western wilds, what could be better than a bracing round of Highland games, set against a stunning backdrop of rolling Scottish hills?
Several hotels in the centre of Campbeltown played host to the group, with their family-run charm giving the group’s stay an unmistakably personal touch. The largest of these hotels also provided the venue for both the group’s welcome dinner and a motivational meeting to inspire and promote unity within the group. At the meeting, the guests were also treated to a performance and chat with a local piper, who regaled them with tales of playing alongside Paul McCartney in his youth!
