EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Every so often men like to take a trip with the guys. A weekend in Vegas or a short winter golf trip to Florida is all very well but there is no other destination better suited to an all-guy getaway than Scotland. ManCountry.

Just look at Scotland's heroes -- Rob Roy, William Wallace (Braveheart), James Bond (come on, Sean Connery was easily the best 007). This is the place where hiking 10 miles over mountains, knee-deep in heather, to reach an isolated trout stream is considered a casual stroll. Forget your martinis and your rum punches - Scotland is the home of whisky, the very water of life.

By happy coincidence Scotland is also custom-tailored for adventure and outdoor sporting activities. Starting, of course, with golf. Here in Scotland the game has an authenticity (after all, it IS the game's spiritual home) and rigor that is decidedly manly. On the most celebrated courses, like St. Andrews and Turnberry that run along stretches of untamed coast, players compete not so much against each other as against the elements, chipping out of tussocky roughs. The same rugged appeal applies to the hiking, fly-fishing, mountain-biking, surfing, sailing and climbing and the other sports for which Scotland is so quietly famous.

Scotland may be known as the one place you have to tee-off before you die, but it has yet to achieve the same notoriety for its other manly attractions. To remedy this situation, VisitScotland, Scotland’s national tourist board, has designed a unique collection of getaway packages -- from two to seven days and starting at just $490 per person -- tailor-made for all-guy getaways.

The five-day Corrour Lodge package from Dream Escape starts at $10,100 per person, and offers room for seven guys in a remote hunting lodge in the Highlands, overlooking a loch and surrounded by 50,000 acres of private moorland with all the comforts and activities thrown in: full staff, private helicopter or seaplane transfers from the airport; whisky tastings in the library and three gourmet meals daily (including a dinner in full Scottish dress), golf, stalking (deer hunting), fly-fishing and mountain-biking. A similar package at Skibo Castle adds off-roading, quad-biking and horseback riding to the mix of manly fun with full run of a private castle for eight men starting at $9,250 per person. For men looking to accommodate the whole clan, Ackergill Castle offers room for up to 20 friends with all the trimmings including every boy’s dream dinner in the world’s largest treehouse from $4,250 per person.

The obvious place to golf is in St. Andrews, the birthplace (some would say "the shrine") of the sport. On the Men’s Golf and Spa package at the Old Course Hotel, your hotel actually borders the world-famous 17th Road Hole of the legendary Old Course and looks out over the sea and the dramatic Grampian Mountains. Other golf themed packages mix in relaxing spa treatments developed with men in mind, such as the One for the Boy’s package at Fairmont St. Andrews, where a day on the green is followed by a “Hero’s Facial.”

Additional ManCountry packages are available at all price points to suit men looking to bond over a couple days of golf, or sample the “Ultimate ManScape” with five days in the Scottish Highlands:

One for the Boys at Fairmont St. Andrews (www.standrewsbay.com) offers a two day/one night package from $490 per person based on double occupancy (twin room) that includes: full Scottish breakfast; private whisky tasting and dinner in the Squire restaurant; 18 holes of golf on the Torrance course; “Hero's Facial.”

The Ultimate Men's Retreat at Turnberry Resort and Spa (www.turnberry.co.uk) offers a three day/two night package from $820 for single occupancy that includes: full Scottish breakfast daily; two course lunch at The Terrace restaurant; round of golf on the Championship Ailsa Course; tour and tasting at the William Grants Distillery; 80 minute 'A New Man' spa treatment.

The Ultimate Guys Getaway at The Balmoral (www.thebalmoralhotel.com) offers a three day/two night package from $1624 per person based on double occupancy (twin room) that includes: Scottish breakfast daily; three-course dinner in Michelin-starred restaurant Number One with whisky tasting; entry to the Glenkinchie Distillery and round of Golf both with private transfers; afternoon of quad biking; afternoon of clay pigeon shooting with private tutor; 90 minute “For Him” spa treatment; half-bottle of Balmoral Whisky and a copy of the World of Whisky Book on arrival.

Men’s Golf and Spa package at the Old Course Hotel (www.oldcoursehotel.co.uk) offers a four day/three night package from $906 - $1106 per person based on single occupancy that includes full Scottish breakfast daily; one dinner at the property; one lunch at Duke’s Clubhouse; 18 holes on the Duke’s Course and unlimited use of the practice range; Golfers’ Massage and complimentary use of spa facilities; bottle of Old Course Hotel whisky.

Ducks for Men at Kilspindie House (www.ducks.co.uk) offers a seven day/six night package from $1440 per person for groups of four that includes: breakfast and dinner daily; one round of golf at three local courses; whisky tour and tasting at the Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery; round-trip airport transfers.

Whisky and Spa Break at Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa offers a three day/two night package from $1021 based on double occupancy that includes: a full Scottish breakfast daily, male “Adonis” spa package with a Muscle Relaxing Wrap followed by a full Fitness Massage and pampering with a rich essential oil blend of Cloves, West Indian Bay, Rosemary and Peppermint, followed by a whisky tasting, tour and two-course lunch at Amber restaurant of the Scotch Whisky Experience.

Dream Escape’s Ultimate Scottish ManScapes (www.dreamescape.co.uk) are available at Corrour Lodge, Skibo Castle and Ackergill Castle and offer five day/four night escapes from $4,250 to $10,100 per person for groups of seven to 20 guys (depending on lodge/castle chosen). All escapes offer private lodgings staffed by a superb team with individually designed suites and include gourmet meals thrice daily with a selection of amenities and activities that range from: private helicopter or seaplane transfer to and from the airport; dinners in full Scottish dress; private massages and spa treatments on property; private whisky tastings at lodgings or neighboring distilleries with Whisky Ambassadors; golf at a choice of courses; choices of quad biking, horse riding off-road driving, canoeing, archery, clay pigeon shooting, and rifle shooting with expert marksmen; fine driven partridge shooting with country sports specialist; guided deer stalking, fishing and mountain biking seasonally.

Complete package details, as well as photos and b-roll, are available upon request. For more information about ManCountry packages in Scotland visit www.toscotland.com/mancountry. For more information about vacationing in Scotland visit www.toscotland.com.

Media Contact:
Jenn Sparrow/Elizabeth Bishop
Laura Davidson Public Relations
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