True Scottish feel at Westin Kierland Resort in Scottsdale

Beyond the expected luxury accommodations that you would expect at a Westin property, there’s a lot more to the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa here in Scottsdale, Ariz., than Heavenly Beds and massage treatments.

First, as the name would imply, it pays homage to the Scottish immigrants that made their way here over the last hundred years or so. It starts with 27 holes of golf ? a Scottish tradition in its own right, I hear ? and transitions to a bagpiper every evening at sundown.

We also had the privilege of taking part in a Scotch tasting right before dinner. Even if you’re not much of a drinker ? or just a beer guy ? learning a little bit about single malt and Scotch blends is both entertaining and enlightening. To top it off ? for those who were so inclined ? master cigar roller Ed Whitlow of Fumar Cigars in Phoenix hooked us up with a perfect stogie to light up while as we retired outside for the bagpipe tradition. As one member of our group said as the bagpiper belted out a perfect rendition of “Amazing Grace:” “If that doesn’t send chills down your spine, I don’t know what does.”

Of course, that could have been the 25-year-old Johnnie Walker Blue he was talking about.

BTW, there are some great deals on Scottsdale golf vacations here.