BRITAIN’S GOT GREAT FOOD!

Final Prize Options

Option 2 – Scotland

Two night stay at the Barcelo Stirling Highland Hotel in Stirling (www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en-GB/Hotels/UnitedKingdom/Scotland/Stirling-Highland/Home). This is the most luxurious hotel in Stirling and was once the town’s High School, so you’ll be tucked up in the most luxurious dormitory you’ve ever seen!  And treated to the best school dinner you have ever tasted.
Saturday morning - Stirling holds a stunning farmers market every 2nd Saturday of the month so try and set a date to make visiting this possible.  Just a short walk from the hotel, you are close enough to be able to stagger back with your purchases before setting of for more adventures.  This popular and busy market is very well supported by the locals and it's easy to see why with its excellent cross-section of producers from all over Central Scotland. www.stirlingfarmersmarket.co.uk
At lunch time walk up to Stirling Castle for lunch, this is then followed by a private tour of the Castle http://www.stirling.co.uk/attractions/castle.htm

In the afternoon, travel to just south of Edinburgh for a tour of the distillery at Glenkinchie Whiskey - the home of The Edinburgh Malt set in the rolling farmland of East Lothian. Here you can see a working distillery, and visit an exhibition of malt whisky is housed in the listed red brick building which was formerly the floor maltings. Follow it up with a taste of the Glenkinchie Single Malt which has a warm finish, dry with a smoky spiciness.

After the tour, return to the Stirling Highland Hotel and make use of some of the leisure facilities here, including their indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam-room, sauna and gymnasium. Change for dinner and eat in their award-winning Scholars Restaurant.   Serving up traditional and international gourmet cuisine, this is one of the most popular eateries in Stirling, priding itself on using local produce, that are well-prepared and served with care. The Headmaster's Study is the ideal comfortable venue for a pre- and post-dinner drink.

Sunday: after a hearty Scottish breakfast, leave to take in some more of the local attractions.  Perhaps Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park – drive through parkland populated by giraffes, elephants, rhinos, zebra as well as bison and camels; or maybe a visit to Argyll’s Lodging will be more to your taste.  This is Scotland’s most complete and splendid example of a 17th century town house, which played host to the noblemen and their ladies who were visiting the castles royal residents in times past.

You could head slightly westwards and visit the beautiful Trossachs and the bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond – arguably the Queen of Scotland’s lochs. Take a trip on the paddle steamer and get a real look at the Loch from the water.