Pagoda PR & Glampotel Dundas Castle

 

Edinburgh based public affairs business, Pagoda PR, puts sustainability and environmental credentials at the heart of its business. When looking for a team building activity to celebrate its best end of year results in the company’s history, the Glampotel site in the grounds of five star Dundas Castle was the ideal location.

With a team that enjoys the outdoors and is adventurous in its approach, an outdoors team building challenge followed by a BBQ and overnight stay in the glamping tents fitted perfectly into the Pagoda ethos. Dundas Castle brought Maximillion in as the partner of choice to deliver the experience.

 

Client: Pagoda PR & Glampotel Dundas Castle

Location: Dundas Castle, Edinburgh

Theme: Sustainability and eco-friendly venue & bespoke Maximillion GPS Adventures team challenge

Date: May 2017

What We Did

We created two experiences with a focus on sustainability.

  1. GPS Adventures Digital Treasure Hunt: Armed with iPad minis and using our bespoke GPS Adventures App participants pitted themselves against each other in a race against the clock to complete each stage of a virtual treasure hunt. The backdrop of the estate and the glamping site was central to the tailored GPS Adventures activity, with creative and entertaining photographs and films created within the canvas cottages and the fields around.
  2. Eden Environmental Awareness: Adapting our existing Eden eco-themed team activity we created a series of entertaining, dynamic and informative challenges around the loch within the Dundas Castle estate. Racing around in the Scottish sunshine, the teams were tasked with building their understanding of climate change and environmental issues, while learning how to work together to find solutions to the challenges.

The special and unique atmosphere and ambience created by hosting such an event in the grounds of the castle, coupled with the tranquil setting on the side of the loch where the glamping site is located, allowed the team to have its own space, away from the main castle and within a secluded private setting.

The team members who stayed overnight enjoyed a barbecue and drinks overlooking the wildlife filled loch, then an evening under the stars, before they zipped themselves into their canvas cottages and cosied down for the night. Waking up to bird calls and breakfast cooked on the wood burning stove brought a superb team building event to an end. And with Glampotel Dundas Castle under half an hour from Edinburgh City Centre, everyone was back at their desks in time for business as usual.

 

Glampotel Dundas Castle Factfile

Situated within their own secluded wooded knoll, with peaceful surroundings and breath-taking views of the Castle’s Loch on the beautiful 400 acre Dundas Castle Estate.

Each beautiful and romantic Canvas Cottage is like no other glamping experience you have seen before. Features include hardwood floors, custom wooden furniture, a wood burning stove, cooking facilities, full length mirror, clothes rails, blanket chest, en-suite bathroom and much more.

    

Your king size bed with memory foam mattress and luxurious soft pillows will be made up with luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, pillow cases and hypo-allergenic duvet. The wood burning stove provides more than enough heat to keep you warm, but the added luxury of a hot water bottle will help take away the chill, even on the coldest of nights.

Stepping into your very own private en-suite bathroom is an experience like no other- features include hardwood flooring, solar lighting, instant hot water shower, hot and cold running water, modern eco-friendly toilet, mirror, and a towel rail. On your arrival you will find luxurious fluffy white bath and hand towels and plenty of biodegradable toiletries for you to use, including soap, shampoo, body wash and conditioner.

Outside on your large private wooden deck are a gas powered BBQ and patio heater, and a bistro dining set with comfy chairs for eating, relaxing and taking in the beautiful surroundings.

What They Said

We put sustainability and team working at the heart of our business plan, particularly as we work within the environmental and public sectors. Working with Maximillion and Glampotel Dundas Castle allowed us to combine both these in a fun and stimulating event. The use of the glamping site at the Castle was a really innovative way to both enjoy some evening hospitality, but also to educate some of our team about the importance of the environment within business and tourism. It was one of the best team building events we have run over many years and with the sunshine and the lovely surroundings of the estate, we had a superb day.” Ian Coldwell – Chairman, Pagoda PR

We were thrilled to host the Pagoda team. They work within the political sphere in Scotland and when they asked for a focus on sustainability in business, we knew that offering the glamping site around our gorgeous loch was the ideal way to stimulate their team building in a unique way. Maximillion was the ideal partner for the event given it holds a Gold Green Tourism Business award, the team has a fun approach and its proprietary products were ideal for the day. We know when we work with Maximillion that our delegates will have a brilliant time and will find challenges relevant to their business.” Louise Andrew – General Manager, Dundas Castle

 

“Maximillion has long been a partner with Dundas Castle as an excellent event venue with shared views on sustainable business. We were delighted to support Pagoda PR and Dundas in building a bespoke eco-based team challenge showcasing the environmentally friendly facilities and beautiful surroundings at Glampotel. Comfort and natural wilderness a stone’s throw from the city centre!” Mike McCloy – GPS Adventures Manager, Maximillion