Bentley wants you to join it for a booze run it’s going on this year. All out of scotch, the British automaker wants you to join in as it goes from its factory in Crewe, Cheshire, to the Speyside region of Scotland where the scotch-maker The Macallan’s estate is located. It won’t be cheap to join, though.
The automaker calls it “the pinnacle British road trip” and it will take four days to go the roughly 400 miles (644 km) from the middle of England to the banks of the River Spey in Scotland. Mind you, there’ll be more than just driving.
The trip will see participants driving through the British Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Craighorns. The automaker has attempted to create a “breathtakingly scenic route” to the protected Speyside region.
Beyond the beauteous vistas, there will also be “exclusive experiences” like a dinner at the Bentley factory that is made exclusively of ingredients sourced within a 26-mile (41 km) radius of the site and four nights in unique luxury accommodations. There will also be Michelin-star dining, stargazing with Scotland’s Astronomer Royal Catherine Heyman, and tutored tastings of the Macallan’s finest products.
Best of all, the experience is open to people who don’t own Bentleys. As part of your £11,350 ($15,251 USD at current exchange rates) per person rate, you get the use of a Bentley vehicle, as well as full concierge service to look after your needs along the way.
The full itinerary can be found below and Bentley says it will run this road trip on four different dates throughout 2022, giving you plenty of options for when to sign up.
Day One
Arriving in Cheshire, guests from around the world will be greeted by the Bentley team at the brand’s flagship CW1 House showroom in Crewe. A private lunch will be served before guests are transferred to the heart of Bentley: the factory. Following a unique opportunity to tour the site, an intimate, private dinner will take place in the factory, each ingredient sourced within a 26-mile radius.
Day Two
Guests will drive in convoy, in Bentley’s latest models – the Continental GT, the Flying Spur, and the Bentayga – towards the Peak District National Park. With a short break at the historic manor house, Fischer Barlow, the group will continue north towards the ‘Dark Peak’ region. Lunch at the Northcote by chef, Lisa Goodwin Allen, will be accompanied by a private tour of the aromatic gardens of this Michelin-starred restaurant. Set within the Yorkshire Dales, Georgian country house hotel Middleton Lodge will play home for the evening, offering lovingly home-grown and locally-sourced seasonal produce for dinner.
Day Three
An optional, private guided yoga practice will help to balance mind, body, and soul for guests as they wake at Middleton Lodge. The convoy continues into the North Pennines and Northumberland National Park, offering some of the world’s most spectacular roads. Passing Hadrian’s Wall, drivers will head into the Scottish Borders for lunch at an Edwardian manor, nestled in the Tweed Valley.
The spectacular journey continues through rolling hills, passing spellbinding abbeys, awe-inspiring stately homes, and castles before arriving at The Treehouses at Lanrick. A hidden gem, offering true escapism within a secluded woodland setting, bordering the Trossachs National Park, this truly-green accommodation does not compromise on luxury. As night falls the group will gather to meet their chef for the evening, the renowned Tony Singh. An al fresco dinner with local, seasonal produce, will be followed by a guided stargazing experience with Scotland’s Astronomer Royal, Catherine Heyman.
Day Four
Heading northeast toward The Cairngorms, guests will stop for refreshments at the peerless Fife Arms in Braemar, a 200-year-old Scottish lodge. A pioneer in recycling and upcycling, the hotel is home to a collection of over 16,000 antiques and curios, and artworks – from Picasso, Freud, Bruegel, to watercolors by HM Queen Victoria and HRH Prince Charles.
The journey will then continue on to The Macallan Estate, set in 485 acres of Speyside countryside and home to the brand’s award-winning distillery, designed by internationally acclaimed architects to promote sustainability. The unforgettable immersive experience will feature a meal in the breathtaking surroundings, tutored tasting, and private Distillery experience. The final destination in our journey celebrates the partnership between Bentley and The Macallan, sharing an insight into the process, production, people, and passion that make their single malt whisky so special. A farewell for guests will culminate in a private, specially curated dining experience at the Elchies Brasserie, before moving on to stay at the magnificently restored Rothes Glen.
Day Five
After a final breakfast, chauffeurs will transfer guests to Aberdeen International Airport to travel onwards home. Alternatively, the Caledonia Sleeper from Inverness can be arranged, offering the iconic railway journey to London.
PHOTO GALLERY
Keyword: Bentley’s Latest Offering Is A $15k Road Trip To A Distillery In Scotland