Experiences
101
Edinburgh at Festival Time
Live ItemAn exclusive opportunity for VIP access at The Edinburgh International Festival, and accommodation at Gladstone's Land where you can soak up the atmosphere of historic Edinburgh.
A party of two will experience the ultimate performing arts getaway in lively Edinburgh! You will enjoy four nights in a recently renovated one-bedroom apartment at one of the best addresses the city has to offer in the center of Edinburgh's Old Town. The interiors are inspired by Gladstone's Land residents from the early 1630s and you will find traces of their story throughout the apartment. Pop downstairs for a sweet treat at the new ice cream parlor and coffee shop inspired by the refreshment rooms and ice cream shops that were prevalent on the Lawnmarket in the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as the public houses and dairies that operated out of the property.
The highlight of your trip will be the opportunity to immerse yourself in world-class dance, opera, music and theater at the Edinburgh International Festival, which celebrates its 75th year in 2022. Attend the opening night performance of Burn, the new creation from legendary Scottish author and actor Alan Cumming and the Olivier award-winning and internationally renowned choreographer Steven Hoggett (Black Watch, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). This brand-new piece of dance theatre challenges the 'biscuit tin' image of Scotland's National Bard and goes beyond the poetry to focus on the man himself - his poverty, his personal tragedy, his struggles with mental health and his spectacular success.
Then, enjoy 4 VIP tickets to the performance of your choice at the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh International Festival August 5- 28, 2022. Tickets will include passes to EIF's exclusive Patrons Lounge for interval drinks at most performances.
Accommodations are for four nights in August 2022 or 2023, subject to availability. Edinburgh International Festival tickets are valid for performances in 2022 ONLY. It is recommended make bookings as far in advance as possible due to the popularity of the city in August. Note that the apartment is located in an old and historic building. It is accessed via a stone spiral staircase, so be prepared for some exertion to reach the room.
Images 1-3: Gladstone's Land apartments
Images 4-5: Gladstone's Land Ice Cream Parlous & Cafe
Images 6-7: Burn and EIF Official Posters
Generously donated by The National Trust for Scotland, Edinburgh International Festival, and Alan Cumming
102
A Retreat in the Cairngorms
Live ItemFor four nights, a party of up to eight guests will delight in the acres of idyllic Scottish landscape and the fascinating history of Mar Lodge Estate at this hidden retreat, Creag Bhalg.
Creag Bhalg is a beautiful ground floor cottage situated on the National Trust for Scotland's Mar Lodge Estate, with its name referring to the nearby hill rising in the middle of the Linn of Dee and Linn of Quoich. This spacious property is surrounded by 29,000 hectares of pine woodland, munros, and unique wildlife. Find this hidden gem in a secluded spot, set within a walled garden with its own pond and illuminated woodland path.
The four charming bedrooms all benefit from en-suites, with a double and a twin adjoined to an en-suite bathroom, and the other double and twin rooms accompanied by a large walk-in shower room. All rooms offer tasteful furnishings and peaceful views towards the River Dee and Glen Ey. Prepare homemade meals during your self-catered stay in the kitchen/diner, fitted with contemporary amenities and carrying on the rustic wood-panelled theme.
You will spend your days participating in a range of activities that will truly enhance your appreciation of this enchanting region. Join Federica Bertolini, otherwise known as The Italian Ghillie, for her one-of-kind Estate and Forage Walk: a slow walk in the Caledonian forest to find hidden treasures, golden chanterelles, meaty boletes, nutty hedgehog mushrooms, and brain looking cauliflower mushrooms. Then, visit the Braemar Highland Society's Highland Games Centre to experience the time-honored sporting competition with a demonstration by a professional Highlander athlete. Your stay also includes a private historical tour of the lodge, a ranger led walk with a National Trust for Scotland ranger, and a 50cl bottle of Pinewood Conservation Gin made with botanicals foraged from the wild heart of the Cairngorms specially for NTS.
Choose one evening for a special night out for two guests to enjoy a three course dinner at the Clunie Dining Room, located at the the Fife Arms, a world-class contemporary art hotel. The Clunie Dining Room showcases the art of wood-fire cooking. The interior of the restaurant has been transformed by Argentinian artist, Guillermo Kuitca. The work, titled The Clunie River Mural, has been painted in his distinctive cubistoid style that masterfully reconciles abstraction with an illusionist form of figuration.
This offer is valid through December 31, 2023. Accommodation is subject to availability, excluding Christmas, New Year's, and weekends. Tours are subject to availability at a mutually agreeable time.
Images 1-3: Creag Bhalg
Image 4 and 6: Mar Lodge
Image 5: The Italian Ghillie
Image 7: The Clunie Dining Room at The Fife Arms
Image 8: Pinewood Conservation Gin
Generously donated by The National Trust for Scotland, The Italian Ghillie, The Braemar Highland Society, and The Fife Arms
103
A Coastal Escape
Live ItemAn unforgettable week at Tulach Ard, an 18th-century home overlooking Loch Alsh, where the Hebrides meet the Highlands.
Tulach Ard is the childhood home of Lachlan Stewart, architect and designer. A traditional Highland 18th Century Manse nestled right on the shore of Loch Alsh, overlooking Avernish Point. Just down the loch from Eilean Donan Castle, which belonged to Lachlan's great - grandfather, the house is uniquely placed on the road to the Isle of Skye. It is an exquisite and unrivaled location offering guests a memorable experience of one of the most picturesque spots in Scotland. First built in 1720, Lachlan, together with his wife Annie, have since remodelled and modernised the property using furnishings entirely from ANTA, their Scottish interiors company, making it suitable for contemporary living. The former dining room and drawing room is now one expansive room with breathtaking views overlooking the sea.
The main house boasts seven luxury double bedrooms and four bathrooms. Ground source underfloor heating has been installed and extra bathrooms created making it comfortable without interfering with the original architecture of the house. The traditional Aga cooker remains and serves to heat the house to feel as it should, with much of the original family furniture mixed with ANTA soft furnishings. Step outside and discover the lochs, glens, rare wildlife and sporting activities surrounding the property or simply relax in the comfort of Scottish hospitality characteristically present.
You have the opportunity to experience two stunning National Trust for Scotland properties, Kintail and Balmacara, with activities tailored to your interests or the weather. Enjoy a day in Kintail with Head Ranger, Willie Fraser. Explore this part of Wester Ross with Willie, on foot through the hills or to the stunning Falls of Glomach, or, for a totally unique view, enjoy a kayak adventure in this remotely beautiful place.
Walk with Balmacara's Head Ranger, Iain Turnbull to explore the coastland and crofting way of life of this west coast community. Enjoy walking, talking or taking pictures with Iain, a talented photographer as well as expert on local built, natural and cultural heritage.
This offer is valid for one week only for a party of up to eight guests. Bookings are by mutual agreement and subject to availability. This offer is valid from September 1, 2022 until April 30, 2023 excluding Christmas and New Year. Tours are subject to availability at a mutually agreeable time.
Images 1-7: Tulach Ard
Images 8-11: Kintail and Balmacara
Generously donated by ANTA and The National Trust for Scotland
104
Outlander: City & Country
Live ItemA history-filled holiday perfect for Outlander fans, brimming with priceless experiences and private tours across some of Scotland's most iconic locations.
Begin your journey in Edinburgh, with elegant accommodations for two nights for two guests at the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel.
If you have been caught up in the adventure, fantasy, and romance of the Outlander series, here's your chance to travel back in time and discover how Scotland's past shaped the saga. Join Mary's Meanders for a one-day Private Outlander Tour for two, as they take you to the some of the iconic filming locations in the central belt region, including Culross and Falkland Palace, where you will follow Jamie and Claire's footsteps. Your guide will be a true fan of the show and will share stories about filming, the true history of the locations, and their own passion for the books and television show.
Back in the city, toast to Scotland with a private champagne reception and tour of Lyon & Turnbull, the country's oldest auction house. Then, journey into the country with a stop for lunch at the House of Bruar before arriving at Brodie Castle. Your accommodations for up to six guests for the next four nights will be the castle's Gardener's Cottage, which includes exclusive after-hours access to the Playful Garden. Learn more about this magnificent National Trust for Scotland property with a tour of the castle. An excursion awaits, where you will spend your day like a Highland rebel visiting Culloden Battlefield and the Prickly Thistle textile mill, where sustainable bespoke tartans are produced by and for the Highland rebels of the 21st century. After touring the mill, meet the team who will take your measurements and create one custom 21st-century highland dress item for you.
This offer is valid until December 31, 2023 and excludes Christmas and New Year's. Tours are subject to availability at a mutually agreeable time.
A chauffeur from AE Chauffeur will be provided for the activities at Culloden Battlefield and Prickly Thistle, subject to availability and certain blackout dates for 2022. Please provide minimum 3 months notice to ensure availability of a driver.
Prickly Thistle "Day with a Highland Rebel" experience includes one custom dress item for one person.
The Private Outlander Tour lasts around 8 hours, dependent on local traffic conditions. Please note that the tour does not include admission fees to any paid sites, hotels, meals or tips. Many of the locations have uneven terrain or cobblestones and are not suitable for those with mobility restrictions.
Image 1: Culloden
Images 2-3: Kimpton Charlotte Square Edinburgh
Images 4-6: Gardner's Cottage
Image 7: Brodie Castle
Image 8: Culross
Image 9: Loom at Prickly Thistle
Generously donated by The Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Mary's Meanders, Paul Roberts of Lyon & Turnbull, Grant Wilson of AE Chauffeur Ltd, Prickly Thistle, and The National Trust for Scotland
108
Outlander in Scottsdale
Live ItemA five-night getaway awaits two guests in Scottsdale, Arizona, hometown to tonight's Great Scot honoree Diana Gabaldon.
Stay in a lovely two-story Spanish style home located within The Phoenician East, a gated community in the shadow of Camelback Mountain. This Mediterranean style dwelling is situated on the 2nd hole of the Phoenician Golf Course. Admire the lovely sculpture garden in the backyard and take advantage of the community's semi-private pool and hot tub, located just steps away. Fine and casual neighborhood dining are at your fingertips as well as numerous grocery stores and exotic markets should you wish to stay in. Old Towne Scottsdale, with its numerous galleries, famous art walks, shops, restaurants, and the magnificent Heard Museum are only minutes away. Downtown Phoenix, Cave Creek, McCormick Ranch, Taliesin West are all a short drive. Don't forget your sunscreen. It is, after all, The Valley of the Sun. Tucson and Tombstone are 3-4 hours to the South and the mysticism of Sedona and majestic Grand Canyon 3-4 hours to the North.
For an unforgettable evening filled with stories, Diana Gabaldon and her husband Doug Watkins will join you for dinner at elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, known for farm-fresh cuisine and sweeping views, one night during your stay. Experience all that Scottsdale has to offer, with a private tour of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and studio, stewarded by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation. Built over the winter of 1937-38, comprising 15 complex buildings and nearly 500 acres of land in the City of Scottsdale, Taliesin West is one of eight sites proscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites representing the depth and breadth of Frank Lloyd Wright's work and legacy across the United States. Then, tee off a round of golf at The Phoenician Golf Course right at your doorstep.
Offer valid through December 31, 2023. Dates subject to availability, to be worked out with owner. Tours and activities subject to availability at a mutually agreeable time. Golf voucher not valid for holidays, or months of February, March, or April.
Image 1: Diana Gabaldon
Images 2-3: Taliesin West
Images 4-5: The Phoenician Golf Course
Images 6-10: Scottsdale Villa
Generously donated by Alasdair and Susi Nichol, Diana Gabaldon and Doug Watkins, Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, and The Phoenician
109
Autumn in Vermont
$800Discover the outdoors on this adventurous autumn getaway.
On offer is a two-night stay for two guests at The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa in picturesque Manchester, Vermont. Lessons at the Orvis Wingshooting and Fly Fishing Schools and tickets to the historic Lincoln family home, Hildene, are included in this activity-packed trip.
The Orvis Company has deep ties to Manchester, where the Orvis family began their mission to be a trusted source of discovery and adventure in the natural world. Whether you are a beginner or experienced, sportsman you will enjoy spending your days with expert instructors at the Orvis Fly Fishing and Wingshooting School (located minutes away from the resort) while staying in the heart of where it all started.
Spend your evenings unwinding in luxurious accommodations at The Equinox, which combines historic grandeur and modern comfort. Choose to dine at one of the several restaurants on the premises and take advantage of the resort's pool and spa facilities.
Make sure to tour nearby Hildene, the historic home of Robert Lincoln, the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood, with thought-provoking exhibits, exquisite gardens, and more to be found across 412 acres of grounds.
This offer is valid until 12/31/2022 and cannot be extended. Accommodations are subject to availability and exclude holiday periods and weekends from July through October.
Images 1-2: The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa
Images 3-5: Orvis Fly Fishing and Wingshooting
Image 6: Hildene
Generously donated by The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa, Orvis, and Anthony and Anne MacLaurin
110
A Scotsman's Pheasant Shoot
$1550Experience beautiful Vermont like a Scot!
On offer is a luxurious two-night stay for two guests in a Deluxe King room at the Kimpton Taconic Hotel in Manchester Village, Vermont, and an unforgettable half-day walk up pheasant shoot with an expert guide at Peaceable Hill Farm in Shoreham.
Join NTSUSA Trustee Anthony MacLaurin for this very special pheasant shooting experience at Peaceable Hill Farm, located an easy 70-minute drive north in the beautiful Champlain Valley of Vermont - an area rich with active dairies, apple orchards, diversified farms, and conservation-managed buffers. Peaceable Hill is a Private Regulated Shooting Ground with bird habitat consisting of open cropland, corn, and grain fields bordered by swale grass ditches and cool season grasses with thicket edges. Bird contact is what Peaceable Hill is all about. Loud cackling Ringnecks - strong and flashy, blasting off from under the nose of a tight-holding Pointer - or a birdie Flusher bumping a skittish hen are experiences you will not easily forget!
Enjoy a soul-satisfying stay in your accommodations at the Kimpton Taconic Hotel, inspired by New England's grand inns & resorts of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As a premier lodging option in Southern Vermont, Taconic welcomes discerning locals and travelers alike. Take in the views of nearby Green Mountain and Taconic Mountain ranges, and dine at the adjacent restaurant and bar, The Copper Grouse, serving regionally inspired dishes celebrating the bounty of Vermont's four seasons.
Make sure to tour nearby Hildene, the historic home of Robert Lincoln, the only child of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln to survive to adulthood, with thought-provoking exhibits, exquisite gardens, and more to be found across 412 acres of grounds.
This offer is valid until 12/31/2022. Accommodations are subject to availability. Pheasant shooting season begins in August, with the best dates in October and November. Please make arrangements at least six weeks in advance to ensure availability at the shooting ground.
For the day of the shoot, pick up at the hotel will be at 7:15 am. The walk up starts at 9am until approximately 12 pm. The shoot includes 20 birds, with a guide and hunting dog.
Image 1: Peaceable Hill Farm and Anthony MacLaurin
Images 2-3: Kimpton Taconic Hotel
Image 4: Hildene
Generously donated by the Kimpton Taconic Hotel, Peaceable Hill Farm, and Anthony and Anne MacLaurin
501
The Macallan Experience
Live ItemOn offer is a VIP experience at The Macallan Estate in Speyside, Scotland for up to six guests.
By special invitation, the winner of this prize will be invited to The Macallan Distillery in Speyside, a striking piece of architecture that marries whisky making heritage with an innovative vision that has been at the heart of The Macallan for almost 200 years.
This private experience will begin with a welcome dram, before embarking on your journey around The Macallan Estate. Take in the breath-taking Speyside scenery as your knowledgeable host drives you around The Macallan's unique landscape, learning about the native wildlife and forests as you travel. You will venture down to the banks of the legendary River Spey to enjoy a dram.
In Elchies Brasserie, enjoy a lunchtime dining experience with hand selected paired wines, curated using locally sourced, sustainable produce inspired by Speyside's abundant natural larder.
Guided by a friendly and knowledgeable host, journey through the award-winning Distillery Experience and discover The Macallan's proud heritage, while exploring the journey from acorn to glass. Visit The Macallan Bar to enjoy an exclusive whisky flight of some of The Macallan's finest whiskies, with panoramic views of the surrounding hills to Speyside. This experience will conclude with a private shopping experience in The Macallan Boutique.
This offer is valid until April 30, 2023 for up to 6 people of legal drinking age. Advance reservation is necessary and dates are subject to availability.
Image 1: The Macallan Estate
Images 2-4: The Macallan Distillery
Generously donated by The Macallan
801
Two Tickets to "Sleep No More"
$125This Oz's List Reservation includes two tickets to punkdrunk's Sleep No More at The McKittrick Hotel in NYC.
Sleep No More is an award winning theatrical performance that tells Shakespeare's Scottish tragedy through a film noir lens. The tickets also include a reserved table with personal cocktail service in the Manderley Bar.
The reservation is valid until October 14, 2022 and may be redeemed for any Monday through Thursday performance.
Generously donated by The McKittrick Hotel
803
Certificate in Scotch Whisky
$175Grab a friend and explore the fascinating world of whisky in this fun and accessible SQA-certified online course from Edinburgh Whisky Academy!
Edinburgh Whisky Academy has provided training to distillers and hospitality professionals, including at The Macallan and this online course can be enjoyed by anyone who wants to improve their knowledge of the history and science behind Scotland's favorite drink.
Included are two vouchers for the online Certificate in Scotch Whisky Course and a set of three Glencairn Crystal tasting glasses.
Generously donated by Edinburgh Whisky Academy and Glencairn Crystal
804
Virtual Gin Tasting for Two
$425This private virtual Scottish Coastal Gin tasting from Away from the Ordinary gives attendees the opportunity to sample four dynamic Scottish gins, all of different styles, as well as a delicious Scottish tonic.
The first gin is expertly mixed in Away from the Ordinary's very own cocktail. You will learn about the fascinating history of the spirit, where the gins are from, and what influences the flavors.
Tastings are led by Scottish ambassador Michael McCuish. Having passionately promoted Scotland and its amazing spirits for over 12 years on four different continents, Michael has built a wealth of knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm.
The prize includes two gin sets, shipping, and a personalized hosted experience, held over Zoom. Tastings are fun, informative, and interactive! Tastings usually last between 60-90 minutes, depending on questions.
This offer is valid until April 14, 2023.
PLEASE NOTE: Away from the Ordinary cannot ship to Utah or Canada.
Generously donated by Away from the Ordinary
805
Jubilee Jazz
$250On offer are two seats in a private isolation booth at the famed Power Station at BerkleeNYC while accomplished pianist and NTSUSA Trustee Dr. Quinn Peeper records Duke Ellington's The Queen's Suite backed by a 21-piece jazz orchestra.
The Queen's Suite is a series of six songs written for Queen Elizabeth II by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn in 1958, and Peeper's recording will be used by organizations including NTSUSA and the English Speaking Union to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee this year.
Power Station Studios were built in 1977 and feature a design that emphasizes sightlines between musicians and the natural sounds of acoustic instruments. Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Herbie Hancock, and Esperanza Spalding have all recorded at Power Station.
Recording takes place on the afternoon of Saturday, April 16. Please plan to arrive at 1:45 pm for recording start at 2:00 pm. The recording will be from 2-4 pm, with some short breaks.
Generously donated by Dr. Quinn Peeper and Michael Harold, Esq.
806
Island Swim Adventure by Boat
$40Fortune favors the brave, with the Scottish swimming adventure of a lifetime!
Two people will join Immerse Hebrides for Island Swim Adventure Boat Trip. Spend 3-4 hours adventure cruising through crofting communities on the Isle of Lewis learning about local wildlife and culture en route to THE MOST magnificent blue lagoon on, Little Bernera, an uninhabited island. This is where you go for a swim and then explore by foot through disused burial grounds once frequented by Vikings.
Images 1-3: The blue lagoon of Little Bernera
Offer valid until September 30, 2023
Generously donated by Immerse Hebrides
807
ISLANDER - The Musical
$40There is a girl. She stares out to sea and dreams of a new life beyond her lonely island. Myth and reality collide when the tide washes a mysterious stranger onto her beach.
On offer are four tickets to ISLANDER, a new Scottish musical coming to Playhouse 46 at St. Luke's in NYC.
In this whimsical, folk-lore inspired musical, audiences are treated to a side of Scotland most people don't get to see; the isolated and close-knit life on the islands. The story sees a village community having to decide whether to stay on the island of Kinnen, or move to "The Big Land". Meanwhile, the bubbly but lonely Eilidh discovers the body of a whale and a mysterious girl who seems to have appeared out of nowhere.
BritishTheatre gives Islander five-stars, calling it "A flawless gem. A modern folk tale that is hard not to fall in love with." Winner of Musical Theatre Review's Best New Musical at Edinburgh Fringe 2019, Islander is intimately staged with a contemporary Scottish folk-inspired score and epic storytelling. "It's a gorgeous production, rich in wit, musicality and transformation" (The Guardian).
Kirsty Findlay (Olivier Award nominated) and Bethany Tennick (The Stage nominee Best Performer in a Musical) create a world of characters while live-mixing and layering their voices, harnessing looping technology to create a dazzling and unexpected soundscape.
This voucher is valid for performances fro April 14th through May 8th, 2022.
Tickets are subject to availability & there are a limited number of seats available for each performance. Reservations must be made at least 5 business days in advance of the performance you wish to attend.
Theatre Information
Playhouse 46 at St Luke's
308 W. 46th Street
Between 8th & 9th Aves
Standard Performance Schedule
Monday: 7:30pm
Wednesday: 7:30pm
Thursday: 7:30pm
Friday: 7:30pm
Saturday: 3pm & 7:30pm
Sunday: 3pm & 7pm
Full performance schedule & schedule exceptions available at IslanderMusical.com.
*Black-out Date April 21st*
Generously donated by Islander Musical