When deciding on what to do for a team-building exercise it’s important to take into account the abilities and tastes of those involved. Some will love dashing round the countryside or driving a hovercraft, but others will prefer something more sedate. Our feature on five unusual team-building venues in Edinburgh ranges from the gentle and educational to the full on adrenalin thrill.
Harvey Nichols
Situated in the centre of the city, Harvey Nichols offers evening screenings from its vast selection of classic films, with cocktail and dining menus to match the theme of the film.
Having dined in the Forth Floor Restaurant, guests are invited into the cocktail bar to choose their favourite tipple, before relaxing in the private screening area with ice cream sundaes and popcorn.
Regular intervals are scheduled throughout the evening, when guests are served a selection of snacks and cocktails at the bar, or even compete with one another to conjure up a personalised concoction.
Contact Details
Harvey Nichols, 30 – 34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 2AD
Telephone +44 (0)131 524 8388
Harvey Nichols Edinburgh
Edinburgh Zoo
In addition to tailor-made team-building events, Edinburgh Zoo offers three packages, which are informative and fun.
The first of the packages see delegates split into teams and following clues around the zoo to solve a quiz before relaxing in the Mansion House with a glass of Prosecco.
Animal handling is not necessarily for the faint-hearted, but is a great way to bond whilst getting over fears of beastly bugs and creepy crawlies under expert supervision.
For those who’d rather not test their knowledge (or phobias) a gentle guided tour of the zoo can be tailored to suit individual needs.
Contact Details
Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS
Telephone +44 (0)131 314 0336
Edinburgh Zoo
Winton Castle
Set in 2,000 acres of its own grounds, Winton Castle offers a multitude of outdoor activities for those who would like to try either traditional sports, such as clay pigeon shooting, falconry, dog and duck herding, or something a bit more modern like laser tag or hovercraft driving.
The wide range of experiences offered by Winton Castle, doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. The beautiful grounds are ideal for an evening barbeque to celebrate your achievements or the Castle itself plays host to wine, champagne, meet the brewer and whisky evenings as well as hosting sumptuous dining experiences.
The activities specialists as Winton are adept at designing activities to suit any occasion and can even offer their own version of highland games.
Contact Details
Winton Castle, Pencaitland, East Lothian, EH34 5AT
Telephone + 44 (01875) 340222
Winton House Venue Hire
Musselburgh Race Course
A day at Musselburgh Race Course is always a thrilling day of fresh air and excitement, but add to this one of their race-goer packages and you’ll have a truly stylish experience.
A reserved picnic area makes a wonderful location to enjoy the summer sunshine whilst watching the action and enjoying your own pre-packed picnic, a choice of fish and chips with beer or house wine or a gourmet pie and pint package.
The Champagne Experience offers a reserved table on the Pommery Lawn, a tasting of four seasonal Pommery Champagnes and a glass of your favourite whilst you soak up the atmosphere and drama of cheering on your favourite horse in one of the many races in Musselburgh’s race day programme.
Contact Details
Musselburgh Racecourse, Linkfield Road, Musselburgh, EH21 7RG
Telephone: +44 (0)131 665 2859
Musselburgh Racecourse
Scotch Whisky Experience
“Blend Your Own” at the Scotch Whisky Experience incorporates all the fun of a whisky tasting with the opportunity to see the world’s largest whisky collection and make your own unique blend of Scotland’s famous tipple under the guidance of a whisky expert.
Whisky can be a serious business, but it can also be fun and rarely more so than under the light-hearted tuition of the skilled hosts at the Scotch Whisky Experience who’ll guide you through the blending process before issuing you with a Blending Certificate and your own magical brew to take home.
To round off your day, we’d highly recommend dinner at the Scotch Whisky Experience’s Amber Restaurants – see our full review at: Scotch Whisky Experience Amber Restaurant
Contact Details
The Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE
Telephone+44 (0)131 220 0441
Scotch Whisky Experience Venue Hire
Gilmerton House
The beauty of team building at Gilmerton House is that guests can split into individual groups for day-time activities, which cater for all ages and abilities, before enjoying an evening of elegant socialising in the intimacy of a country mansion.
Country pursuits, either on-site or nearby, include quad biking and wind surfing for the more adventurous or a relaxed game of croquet or a personalised pampering session for those who take their leisure at a more sedate pace.
A day at Gilmerton is completed with a drinks reception on the sun terrace in the evening sun or in front of a roaring log fire in the winter, before dinner in the sumptuous wood paneled dining room and retiring for the night to one of the luxuriously appointed bedrooms.
Contact Details
Gilmerton House, Athelstaneford, North Berwick, East Lothian, EH36 5LQ
Telephone + 44 (01620) 880342
Gilmerton House Venue Hire
