When is a trip a Special Projects trip?

A huge family reunion in the Scottish Highlands
“It was an incredibly complex trip”, explains Ian, “where the family requested multiple buyouts, on-the-go activities and experiences that worked across their ages and abilities”. A lot of planning goes into working with so many people and so many moving parts across so many locations, so every single moment had to be perfect.

“We toasted the Haggis with bagpipes blaring”
Ten days, a convoy of vintage Land Rovers, botanical gardens, whisky, cultural tours, live musical accompaniment, three golf days, and a massive host of experiences to suit their ages, interests and abilities.

The family were blown away – and our team were just as ecstatic. For Ian, the highlight came in Trossachs National Park, where we organised a series of surprises along their hiking route; including a lakeside BBQ and an encounter with the park’s gamekeeper, who set up a smokery to toast them with whisky, salmon and venison.

A corporate reward trip to Alaska
Corporate groups are some of the largest we take away. A lot of people means competing needs. It also requires massive attention to detail to ensure everyone enjoys themselves. For this huge group, that involved six unrepeatable nights in Alaska; balancing rugged wilderness with a sense of accessible, celebratory luxury along the way.

“No mean feat”
Bear-watching in Chinitna Bay, fleets of 4x4s, glacier kayaking at the Spencer Glacier terminus, helicopter glacier dogsledding, Kenai fjord cruising, rafting in the Portage River Valley, and encounters with wild reindeer. This should give you a taste of the wild things we planned. “No mean feat when you’re stage-managing it all for over 50 people”, notes Ian.

“We let it sink in”
While the focus was on the wild wonders of the Alaskan wilderness, there were many softer moments that struck a chord. For Ian, that came when they boarded the Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic – one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world – where were enjoyed a fine dinner in its glass-covered observation deck.