Talking Dollars and Sense: Scotland Means Business Workshop
Tall furry hats, swirling tartan, and the bittersweet drone of Scottish pipes were just a few of the highlights of the biannual Scotland Means Business workshop, held in Glasgow in mid-October. Five-star hotels, whiskey samplings and a heartfelt Robbie Burns (Scotland's national bard) blessing of the haggis (Scotland's signature sheep-stomach delicacy for those with brave hearts and constitutions) also made a strong impact on the 50 meeting planners from the United States, Canada, England, Spain, Germany, and France attending the event.

The workshop was held at the Glasgow Radisson SAS Hotel where planners met with at least 10 suppliers for 12-minute "one-on-ones." The planners from North America noted that the weak dollar in relation to Scottish rack rates was one of the most discussed topics. "I found out their price points were negotiable. They understood the challenges of the dollar value and were willing to work with me," said Cass Bayley, a Canadian planner who specializes in meetings for veterinarians. Alain Kachami, a Calif.-based planner who specializes in corporate conferences, agreed. "It was good to meet one-on-one. I learned that they are flexible during the shoulder seasons of April and October. Plus, I thought venue rentals were really well priced compared to other places in Europe."

­­­The 14 North American meeting planners in attendance began their visit in Edinburgh, a city of 400,000 known for its Georgian architecture and summer festivals. Balmoral Hotel, a central, 188-room grand dame, was their home for two nights. Part of the Rocco Forte chain, the hotel's décor was a unique mix of traditional and modern and it featured a luxe spa, Bollinger Bar, and Michelin-starred restaurant.

Jet lag was quickly forgotten on a spooky ghost tour of the city's underground vaults (Underground Edinburgh), followed by champagne and hors d'oeuvres in a candlelit hall where staff confided they had often glimpsed "Mr. Boots," a leather boot-shod ghostie who they said cursed a blue streak. At the Scotsman Hotel, a unique 69-bedroom luxury hotel that was once the office of the Scotsman Newspaper, the group tucked into a sumptuous dinner including Scottish veggies known as nips (turnips) and tatties (potatoes).

The next day included a site inspection and lunch at the ultra-modern Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, which featured a sleek indoor-outdoor rooftop hydropool. Other highlights were a tour of Edinburgh Castle, cocktails aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, dinner at the glittering Balmoral Hotel, and a falconry demonstration at Hopetoun House, a stately manor set on 150 acres 12 miles from the city.

"Scotland is more diverse than I thought," noted Maggie Hynes, a meeting contract negotiator with Ortho-McNeil Janssen Scientific Affairs in New Jersey. "There are contemporary and classic venues, and lots of activities."

For a little taste of the game most linked to Scotland, the group was treated to a night at the Westin Turnberry Resort, which will host the British Masters in 2009. Although there wasn't time for a full round of golf on either of the resort's two championship courses, a very patient golf pro gave pointers to members of the group as they swung madly at the elusive little white balls. "I thought I'd hate it, but I ended up loving it," admitted first-time golfer Karen Demuth, a planner with Dynamic Events in Denver. To reward their efforts, dinner was held at nearby Culzean Castle, seat of the Scottish (not Irish) Kennedy family since the 1750s. Especially impressive was the armory where, while sipping champagne, the group eyed the mind-boggling collection of flintlocks and swords. "It was great to visit as a group because we got to see the venues such as the castle in action and experience how it can function," noted incentive planner Sandra Daniel of Madison, Wis.

Glasgow, where the workshop was held, is known for its distinctly Victorian architecture. Formerly a shipbuilding capital, one of the city's most famous inhabitants was architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The group was taken on a tour of his House of an Art Lover, originally designed in 1901 and built in 1998 with support from the city and the Glasgow School of Art. Often used for special events, it includes a cozy café.

The final day of the workshop was devoted to a taxi scavenger hunt where planners were divided into groups of five and given lists of items to gather around the city. Two-and-a-half hours later, the winning team was announced during lunch at Mar Hall, a gorgeous, five-star Gothic mansion hotel, a 20-minute drive from downtown.

° Contributing Editor Maureen Littlejohn is a freelance writer in Toronto.