Sleigh's, a bespoke tour operator, has teamed up with Prestonfield Hotel and The Witchery by the Castle in Edinburgh to launch new tailor-made food and drink trails around the Lothians, Perthshire and Stirlingshire from March 2022.
Edinburgh-based Sleigh’s, which has 48 years’ experience delivering exclusive travel experiences throughout Scotland, the rest of the UK and Ireland, is now gearing up to showcase some of the best Scottish produce and hospitality for overnight guests.
The new luxury ‘Taste of Scotland’ food trails have been designed to help tell the story of the journey from the sea, coastline, farm or countryside to plate as part of VisitScotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
Guided by their own private chauffeur, overnight guests of Prestonfield and The Witchery by the Castle will be offered the chance to enjoy an authentic taste of the coast and countryside within a two-hour drive time of Edinburgh city centre.
This includes visits to Belhaven Lobster at Dunbar harbour, foraging with Buck & Birch in the East Lothian countryside, a quad bike or tractor tour at Old Leckie Farm near Stirling, as well as tour of The Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire.
Guests will get the opportunity to see the Belhaven Lobster’s ‘Tangaroa’ coming into Dunbar harbour with her catch of lobster, crab and other shellfish, as well as the chance to meet the Skipper and crew to learn more about their approach to sustainable fishing.
An immersive foraging experience with Buck & Birch will uncover how the local East Lothian landscape is used to infuse wild alchemy into their award-winning drinks and menus.
This experience includes a private distillery tasting session, as well as a food and drink pairing workshop.
Guests will get the chance to meet the family who have worked the land at Old Leckie Farm in Stirlingshire for over 100 years.
Tours will include meeting the farm animals and learning about the ethos of sustainable agriculture and diversification, as well as sampling homegrown and reared delicacies.
A tour of Scotland’s oldest working distillery, The Glenturret, will allow guests to find out more process and history behind Scottish Whisky in the heart of Perthshire.
There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a bar lunch at the distillery’s new Michelin-starred restaurant, The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant, and experience fine dining at its best.
Guests will also get the chance to complete the story of the journey from sea or farm to plate by enjoying an evening meal as part of their overnight stay at Prestonfield or The Witchery.
Fine dining menus at both venues feature some of the local produce that guests will have discovered on their luxury food tour.
James Thomson, owner of Prestonfield and The Witchery by the Castle, said: “Quality local and seasonal produce has been at the heart of our fine dining experiences at Prestonfield and The Witchery by the Castle for over 40 years, so we’ve been proudly supporting and celebrating the best of Scotland’s larder long before it became more fashionable.
“To help mark Scotland’s official year of stories in 2022, we’re really excited to be working with our long-standing partners at Sleigh’s to build on our long food and drink tradition and offer our overnight guests a new tailor-made way to experience produce right on our doorstep.
“Not only will our guests be able to meet local producers in person and learn more about the industry, but they’ll also get the chance to complete the story of the journey from land and sea to plate with dinner and an overnight stay at Prestonfield or The Witchery by the Castle.”
Christopher Sleigh, Creative Director at Sleigh’s, added: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be collaborating with James Thomson and his iconic Edinburgh venues, as well as some of Scotland’s finest producers, as we launch this new food and drink experience in 2022.
“Our family has long been transporting guests around Scotland, showcasing the very best local food, drink and warm hospitality the country has to offer.
"Now, it’s a formal partnership which both visitors can enjoy as we edge towards the spring and summer months.
“The benefit of choosing an independent tour provider like Sleigh’s, or a venue like Prestonfield and The Witchery, is that you do get a personal, bespoke experience every time, and local knowledge and insight which is unparalleled.”
Originally built as the grand baroque home of Edinburgh's Lord Provost, Prestonfield has a long and distinguished heritage at the centre of Scotland's political, social, business and artistic life.
The venue is now owned by restaurateur and hotelier, James Thomson, who also owns the Witchery.
Prestonfield is situated in 20 acres of private gardens and parkland in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat.
It has all the feel of a traditional Scottish Highland estate, but is conveniently located just ten minutes from Edinburgh city centre.
Housed in a collection of 16th-century buildings, The Witchery by the Castle has become a much-loved Edinburgh institution since it was established by James Thomson in 1979.
Guests are drawn to the rich baroque surroundings of the original oak-panelled Witchery, as well as the elegant candle-lit elegant charm of the Secret Garden restaurant.
Nine theatrical suites are each lavishly decorated and offer a mix of romance, opulence and magic.
Prices to for a luxury ‘Taste of Scotland’ food and drink trail start from £1,345 per person, including:
• Arrival & Departure Transfers
• Buck & Birch Foraging & Distillery Tasting
• Belhaven Harbour Visit with chance to meet skipper / crew
• Old Leckie farm tour & lunch
• The Glenturret Distillery blending & tour
• Bar lunch at The Glenturret Lalique Restaurant (One Michelin Star)
In addition, an overnight stay at Prestonfield starts from £375 per room, per night.
An overnight stay at The Witchery by the Castle starts from £595 per suite, per night.
For more information about Sleigh’s and to book a bespoke ‘Taste of Scotland’ luxury food and drink trail with an overnight stay at Prestonfield or The Witchery by the Castle, visit their website.
