The King of Golf Tours

You will be met on arrival at Edinburgh Airport and transferred to the highly prestigious Royal Scot’s Club for your first evening in Scotland.

Tonight we enjoy a Welcome Dinner together at the Club, a chance to meet one another and your BJC Tour Director and learn of the week ahead.

This morning, we head to Turin Castle, the exclusive stately home will be our base for the rest of the week.

Our arrival at Turin Castle will be heralded in true Scottish style, ‘piped in’ by the recently retired Queen’s Own Royal Piper. The position of ‘Queen’s Piper’ is one of the highest accolades available to a piper serving in the British Armed Forces. As part of tradition, a piper always travels with the Queen, playing the bagpipes for her every morning at 9am, a tradition that has continued every day (excluding WW2) since 1843.

On arrival, it is time to disover the high levels of opulence at Turin Castle. Each of the ten luxury bedroom suites is designed to the highest specifications, has its own private bathroom and stunning views of the surrounding Angus glens.

We enjoy lunch together at the Castle, sampling the first of many excellent dishes put together for us by our private chef, who remains at our disposal for the rest of the week.

This afternoon, take a seat in the ancient Stone Circle during afternoon for a private falconry display. Turin Castle’s Falconer will educate you in the art of falconry, with a hands-on experience with a variety of hunting birds.

Then it will be time to dress for dinner in one of Turin Castle’s extravagant dining rooms. And dress for dinner you shall! Tonight there will be traditional kilts available for the gentlemen to wear and tartan sashes for the ladies. Display your family tartan or wear the Turin clan tartan to set your stay off with a swing at our welcome dinner.

Today includes an option for the golfers, visiting Carnoustie Golf Links and those who prefer to explore more of beautiful Scotland, visiting Bruar.

Today’s golf experience will be at Carnoustie. Carnoustie Golf Links is an iconic, world-leading golf destination and home to ‘Golf’s Greatest Test’. Golf has been played at the Links since the 16th century and the Championship Course has hosted eight Open Championships, one Ladies British Open and two Seniors Open making it one of the very few to have done so in the UK. Golfers dine on their own account at the Rookery Restaurant for lunch today at Carnoustie, which showcases some of the best produce Scotland has to offer.

For the non-golfers, today we travel on a scenic drive through the beautiful Scottish countryside and the humorously named Killiecrakie to Bruar. For the energetic, a short walk but surprisingly strenuous walk (1.5miles, ascent 150 metres) allows the opportunity to enjoy the Falls of Bruar, to experience beautiful views of the gorge and the falls. The path is clear but requires sensible footwear as there are some steep sections and steep drop-offs. There will also be some free time to spend on your exploration of The House of Bruar, a department store showcasing the very best in Scottish clothing, produce, homeware, art and fashion, bringing together the top brands of Scotland in a single upscale retail destination. There is also a large restaurant serving high quality, locally sourced Scottish food where you will be able to find your lunch today.

Back at Turin this evening, we meet the owner of the famous and award-winning local Gin Bothy, for a private tasting of her various flavoured gins before we enjoy a formal Gala Dinner together this evening in another of Turin Castle's atmospheric dining rooms.

This mornig offers another dual progamme before all rejoin in the afternoon.

Montrose Links is the destination for the golfers this morning. Here you play on one of Scotland’s oldest Courses - the 1562 Course challenges golfers with its undulating fairways and fast greens, made more difficult when the wind whips inland from the sea. It has all the key ingredients to make up one of the utmost challenges in the world of golf – rugged and undulating (yet an easy walk), some deep bunkers, springy yet quick-draining turf, bountiful gorse, sand dunes aplenty and fantastic greens. A number of the holes run alongside the rugged Angus coastline offering some stunning scenery.

Alternatively, unlock the 'Secrets of the Glens' and embark on a guided morning hike through the Angus countryside. An experienced professional guide will take you on the best route based on your walking experience and ability. A perfect morning activity, whatever the weather, it will be rounded off with a real touch of luxury as you enjoy a sumptuous picnic in a glorious riverside setting, hosted by our Rosette bespoke butler. In this glorious setting, evocative of Kenneth Graham’s words in The Wind in the Willows, “all was glints and gleams, chatter and bubble,” - you will find yourself bewitched!

Mid-afternoon, we come together as a group to see how Scotland’s most famous brew - whisky - is made, as we enjoy a visit to a local distillery, an of course have an opportunity to taste more of this fine produce.

This evening, we enjoy wine-pairing with dinner, which again has been prepared for us by our private chef. We then round off the day with a Casino Royale-themed evening, allowing all guests to channel their inner James Bond and practise their poker face. Collect your chips, ensure you know the house rules and it’s every man (or woman!) for themselves. Did you know James Bond’s father was a Scot?

Set on Scotland’s east coast, St. Andrew’s is a picturesque town with its own castle ruins and a university which has been educating students since 1413 - here Prince William and Kate Middleton met as undergraduates. The town is probably most famous for its world renowned golf course, a must visit destination for any fan of golf.

For more than 600 years St Andrews Links, much like the game of golf itself, has evolved. It has felt the tread of every great champion and flinched as millions of golfers have hammered and hacked, swatted and swiped at balls of wood, leather, gutta-percha and balata. It is a living, breathing timeline where today you can write a little of your own history and enjoy a round yourself. Golfers will have the opportunity to get lunch or post-round drinks at the clubhouse.

Those who opt not to play have some free time this morning to discover the historic town of St. Andrews. Perhaps climb the striking medieval cathedral's tower, stroll the picturesque streets shopping for traditional Scottish cashmere or enjoy the peace and beauty of the beach and the coastline.

After lunch, we all return to Turin Castle in time to prepare for our spectacular evening visit to Glamis Castle.

This evening, we witness over 1,000 years of history at the stunning and historic Glamis Castle in the heart of Angus countryside. Glamis Castle is not to be missed - the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne, the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, it was also the childhood home of H.M. Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.

From the moment we arrive on the mile-long drive, we experience the magic of Glamis against the backdrop of the Angus Glens. We will be greeted by the Castle Piper before stepping inside this fascinating and historic building to the warmest of Scottish welcomes and greatest hospitality. Our tour begins in the 16th century chambers, and from there every room has its own story. The evolution of the castle and legendary tales are brought to life by an expert local guide. The staterooms are the venue for dinner this evening - a place where HRH Queen Elizabeth regularly dines. This gala evening at Glamis will remain a treasured memory long after the event.

Today we make the most of Turin Castle’s 20 acres of private grounds with some time spent at leisure around the stately home.

Turin Castle has its own private 6-hole mini-golf course, croquet lawn, pétanque terrain and a full library of board games. For fanatical golfers, if you wish to get in another round today, there are a range of excellent golf courses available in the local area (fees not included).
After lunch at the Castle, we come together in the grounds to get our blood pumping as we create our own Highland Games. Learn more about how Highland ancestors lived; how they dressed, what they ate and what equipment they carried into the harsh Scottish environment for their survival. Get into character dressed in traditional Scottish plaids and elect yourselves a clan leader to develop your skills and compete in such events as tug of war, archery and basket-hilt sword fighting. Training sessions will be delivered by a world champion sword fighter!

This evening we enjoy a performance of traditional Highland Dancing and traditional Scottish fayre.

The majestic golf courses at Gleneagles offer generous fairways, big greens, challenges for all handicaps and superb views of the surrounding Scottish countryside. Over the years, Gleneagles has hosted a number of significant golf tournaments – the most notable being the 2014 Ryder Cup, played on the PGA Centenary Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.

Today, after a round at the famous course, golfers lunch on their own account and may choose enjoy lunch or drinks at Gleneagles Golf Club's Dormy Restaurant. The Dormy’s laid back vibe and iconic views across the King’s and Queen’s Courses create a relaxing atmosphere, while a well-sourced, hearty menu appeals to all.

Non-golfers will enjoy some time spent at the new Spa at Gleneagles, a soothing haven from everyday stresses. Here the welcome is warm, the spirits are lifted, and the pursuit of balance is the only option on the menu. Your booking includes a choice of one treatment from The Highland Healer Hot Stone Massage, Be in the Moment Personalised Massage or Renewal Radiance Body Ritual. After, enjoy a two-course lunch in The Wellness Cafe and access to The Spa and Health Club facilities are included if you'd like to relax a little more.

Returning to Turin Castle, tonight is Champions Night, a fanftastic way to round off the week. To get this extravaganza going, the evening includes entertainment from the traditionally inspired music of Clanadonia, a Scottish tribal drums & pipes band. This high-energy blend of tribal rhythms, bagpipes and tartan-clad mayhem will have even the most reluctant of dancers bouncing in their shoes! After a final, extravagant meal prepared by our private chef and served in the beautiful castle dining room, there will also be the hotly-competed awards ceremony, where one of you will be crowned overall Turin Tournament Champion. Make sure you have completed the week’s daily golfing (and non-golfing!) challenges to be in with a chance of being crowned Champion of Champions and to take home the Turin Challenge Cup!

After a final breakfast at Turin Castle, we bid a fond farewell to this most majestic of settings and return to Edinburgh Airport.

Please ensure your flights depart from Edinburgh Airport after 4pm to ensure that you have plenty of time for your onward flights.