Romantic 5 Star Highlands Luxury

With Valentines day weekend a little over 7 days away, most men will not even have begun to organise their thoughts yet, let alone a romantic getaway with their other half.  If this is you, then we  have just the thing to make you change your mind and get something booked NOW!

The simply stunning Loch Ness Lodge have just uploaded their Valentines Package on Scotland's For Me and we know you'll want to check it out.  The luxurious accommodation, the fine dining, the stunning lochside location, the spa, the boat trip on Loch Ness & the Champagne & red rose, what other reasons do you need ?

But don't worry if you are not quick enough to book for the Valentines Weekend, they also have a whole range of romantic breaks available from February - November and these are now available to book on Scotland's For Me, including

• 5 Star Romantic Breaks
• 5 Star Highland Spa Breaks
• 5 Star Midweek Romantic Breaks
• 5 Star Highland Escape

To find out more simply click here, check availability and book online, what other reason do you need?

National Trust Burns Itinerary

Glasgow

Experience Weaver's Cottage on the outskirts of Glasgow. See how the specially designed Burns family tartan bedspread, created to celebrate Burns's 250th birthday, was made on a working 200-year-old loom, the last of 800 handlooms once used in the village.

Ayrshire

A 45-minute drive from Glasgow takes you to the heart of Burns Country and to Burns National Heritage Park in Alloway.

• Visit the newly interpreted thatched cottage where Burns was born.

• Experience our new audio-visual displays and corporate facilities.

• Stroll across the Brig o' Doon and explore Alloway Auld Kirk, immortalised in Tam o' Shanter.

• Climb to the top of Burns Monument and explore the surrounding commemorative gardens.

• Enjoy traditional Scottish dishes in our 80-cover restaurant and visit our Burns-themed gift shop.

Other local attractions with strong Burns connections include the Bachelors' Club, Souter Johnnie's Cottage and Culzean Castle & Country Park.

Edinburgh

Burns made several visits to Edinburgh, to oversee publication of his work and as a guest of the city's brilliant men of letters. Today, you can capture the essence of the city's Old and New Towns with visits to the 17th-century Gladstone's Land on the Royal Mile and the late 18th-century Georgian House in Charlotte Square.

Fife
Dating from 1360 and said to be haunted, Kellie Castle & Garden is steeped in history. The 5th Earl of Kellie's youngest son was a much valued friend of Burns.

Stirling

Bannockburn Heritage Centre near Stirling holds pride of place in Scottish history. Burns visited Bannockburn in 1787 as part of his tour of Stirlingshire and the Highlands. He wrote to a friend,'... two hours ago, I said a fervent prayer for old Caledonia over the hole in a blue whin-stone where Robert de Bruce fixed his royal standard on the banks of Bannockburn.' Today, you can re-live the battle experience with a guided battlefield tour, explore an interactive weapons display and enjoy the gripping, new short film depicting the dramatic events of June 1314

Inverness
Burns visited Drummossie Moor, the site of the battle of Culloden, on 6 September 1787. Today, you can walk the battlefield using groundbreaking multilingual GPS-enabled battlefield guides, just one exciting feature of this multi-award winning 5-Star Visitor Attraction.

Nearby Brodie Castle is where Burns stayed for one night of his Highland tour. He wrote to his brother Gilbert on 17 September 1787, 'I slept at the famous Brodie of Brodie's one night ...'

You can Click here for a copy of the NTS Full seven day itinerary.

Glasgow Jazz Calendar

Jazz Glasgow: At a Glance Been sent through the calendar of events from Jazz Glasgow – click on the links for further information
Sat 6 Feb	Brian Kellock and Julian Argüelles plus Trichotomy	City Halls
Sun 14 Feb	Christine Tobin & Liam Noble: 'Tapestry' Rewoven	City Halls
Sun 21 Feb	Stewart Forbes & David Newton Trio: Back to Back	City Halls
Wed 24 Feb	Rush Hour Jazz	City Halls
Sun 7 Mar	Graeme Stephen Sextet with special guest, Ben Davis	City Halls
Sun 14 Mar	Daryl Sherman Trio with special guest, Todd Gordon	City Halls
Sun 28 Mar	Bobby Wellins & Konrad Wiszniewski meet The David Patrick Trio	City Halls
Sat 17 Apr	Richard Michael	City Halls
Fri 23 Apr	Clare Teal	City Halls
Sun 25 Apr	Ken Mathieson's Classic Jazz Orchestra & Alan Barnes: The Benny Carter Project	City Halls
Fri 7 May	Jamie Cullum	GRCH

2010 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award Winner at Turnberry

The winner of the 2010 Robert Burns Humanitarian Awards was announced last night (January 22nd) as Head of Islamic Relief (Scotland), a member of Disasters Emergency Committee, Habib Malik. Habib took time out from fundraising for the victims of the Haiti earthquake to collect his award and appealed to Scotland to show their support for the Haiti disaster relief project.
Receiving the award last night Habib said: “Firstly, I would just like to say how humbled I am to have been honoured with this Award and must say that I feel somewhat undeserving of having been placed alongside the past distinguished winners of this award. My work with Islamic Relief has never been for my sake, but for the sake of those voiceless millions around the world who scream, but are not heard. Robert Burns himself was born into poverty; and has been described as a poet of the poor, and an advocate for social change. The Robert Burns Humanitarian Award, now in its ninth year, is presented annually to a group or individual who has saved, improved or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service or 'hands on' charitable work.

Short Breaks in Edinburgh from Oxford

All the very best of luck to a new air route linking Oxford and Edinburgh which is expected to attract 6,500 passengers over its first 12 months.
Flights to the Scottish capital will begin on Monday, March 1, with the journey taking 90 minutes compared to the average rail journey of six hours.
New airline operator Varsity Express hopes to tap into the tourism market of people visiting both historic cities.Prices will start at £49 one way, including taxes and charges.Varsity, which will fly 18-seat British Aerospace Jetstream planes, said it expected to carry 6,500 passengers in the first 12 months.

Commercial director Will Gilligan said: “Oxford is the third most visited English city by international visitors, with 10 million per annum, and Edinburgh is the second most popular destination after London in the UK.

“We have been looking to start a regular shuttle service on this route for some time.We have watched with interest the developments and investment at Oxford airport and believe it is a perfect, untapped market with plenty of potential, offering splendid facilities designed for private jet clients, enabling us to offer our passengers quick check-in times.”
Airport marketing manager James Dillon-Godfray said: “This is the first daily flight from Oxford and very much begins a new era, where we have something of direct benefit to the business community and tourists who can take a trip to Edinburgh and return within a day.
“This is a fundamental leap forward and is the jewel in the crown of all the routes and operations we now have.
Tim Gill, an aviation consultant contracted to Varsity, said: “Edinburgh is the most requested domestic route from Oxford, which by train can take over six hours with at least one change, sometimes three.
“Any day return combination would typically take 13 hours in transit.”
Flights will leave Oxford Monday to Friday at 8am.The return flights leave Edinburgh at 5pm.
For more information and to book flights, go to the website flyvarsity.com

Hospitality Package for Kilmarnock vs Celtic

Great almost half price offer for Corporate Hospitality at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock on the 30th of December for the game between Kilmarnock and Celtic.
According to the mailshot you can treat your loved one to a special night out at the Kilmarnock v Celtic game on 30th December.
Hospitality includes

• Champagne reception
• Three course meal
• Complimentary bar
• Complimentary team sheet and match programme
• Entertainment by our resident comedian
• Competitions
• Executive seating in the West Stand
• Traditional half time fayre
• After match complimentary bar
• Presentation of prizes
• and Fosters Man of the Match award

The normal price is £180 and as a sign of the times the special offer is only £99 per person plus VAT. You could do a lot worse than add on an overnight stay to yor short break which you could book at the club's own four star Park Hotel in Kilmarnock - it's only about fifteen minutes from Prestwick Airport for cheap Rynair flights from Dublin or the rest of Europe.
Really great end to the corporate year for someone we're sure!

How about Letterfinlay Lodge this December

I spent a couple of nights on my honeymoon at Letterfinlay so I would say it was special but it is really. Superb location on the loch and some great winter offers. They've just asked us to promote this as well.

"Join us this December at Letterfinlay Lodge Hotel, where the twinkling lights that decorate the hotel and the contagious air of anticipation welcomes you in from the cold.
This year we're hosting festive gatherings with a bit of class!

• Sumptuous Festive Lunch or Dinner using the best local produce and freshly prepared by our award winning team of chefs 
• Tea or coffee with home-made Mince Pies 
• Accommodation available from £30 per person

Advance booking of tables is recommended.  See our website for full details.

Call us on 01397 712 622 to reserve your table.

We look forward to welcoming you to Letterfinlay Lodge Hotel."

Christmas Breaks

We know also that the hotel has some great accommodation breaks and special Festive rates available from the 24th - 26th of December