After settling in, enjoy an Achray Sparkler (sparkling wine with a hint of raspberry juice) bar area from 18:00. A three course evening meal will be served between 18:30 and 20:30 and a relaxed evening follows. A hearty breakfast the following morning will be served from 08:15 to 09:45 and then it’s off to explore the area or just take things easy before the evening activities.

On Hogmanay (the night of the 31st) a traditional four course dinner awaits you, and then afterwards transport has been organized to take guests into Comrie where the famous Flambeaux procession takes place.

Every Hogmanay as far back as anyone can remember the village of Comrie has been home to the Flambeaux Procession, a fiery spectacle accompanied by music, fancy dress parade and general all round merry-making. At midnight eight flambeaux or fiery torches begin the procession around the 4 quarters of the old village before being dowsed in the square on return. Although the origins of this event are not known the most widely accepted theory is that it is based around a pagan ceremony to ward off the evil spirits of the old year and welcome the New Year in. The Flambeaux are made on the first Sunday after Armistice Sunday from saplings wrapped in Hessian bags, usually old tattie (potato) bags. They are soaked in a drum of paraffin for six weeks then removed on Hogmanay. On the stroke of midnight the Flambeaux are lit and carried forward by “eight strong men and proud”. They lead a procession made up of representatives from the pipe band followed by floats, fancy dress followers around the village, returning to the square where the floats are judged.  This is typically followed by an informal Ceilidh.

Our transport will make two trips to Comrie, one at 23:00 and one twenty five minutes later, where we will drop guests off with a mug of mulled wine to join in the activities. (Warm clothing and hats are advisable as we can never guarantee the Scottish weather.) Our transport will collect the first group at 01:20 and the second at 01:45 at the drop off point and then it’s back to the hotel for a night cap.

On the New Year’s Day it’s a late Scottish breakfast from 10.30 to 11.30 then a Treasure Hunt ‘on foot’ around the village which starts at 12.30 with participants gathering back at the hotel around 14:30 for the marking and prize giving. Soup and sandwiches will be available for the hungry ones among you. Dinner is from 18:30 to 20:30 with a mind teasing "looking back on the year" quiz for everyone starting around 21:00.

New Year at Achray costs £670 for two people sharing a twin or double room.