MacLean & Bruce

19/06/2024

What a day we've had out on the Small Isles!

We started with the bucket-list destination of Fingal's Cave on the extraordinary little island of Staffa, followed by a few hours of enjoying Lunga in puffin breeding season.

What a day of riches on Scotland's west coast.

☞ Sign up to our whisky or travel newsletter at [email protected]

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

18/06/2024

We are proud ✈️ travel partners ✈️ of the world’s largest whisky club - the inimitable Scotch Malt Whisky Society!

The SMWS, which was established in Edinburgh more than 40 years ago and now has branches in more than 25 countries around the globe, is inviting a limited number of whisky aficionados to join them on a celebratory cask-to-bottle journey.
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WHAT BUYERS WILL RECEIVE:

★ Exclusive ownership of the entire contents of a cask
★ A digital certificate of ownership upon purchase
★ A gift box including your certificate in a frame made of cask staves and a pipette
★ Samples at key points throughout the 10-year period
★ Invitation (with a plus one) to the 50th Anniversary VIP party in Edinburgh
★ One Year's Membership to the Society that you can gift to someone of your choice
★ Bottling of your whisky in December 2033, as it turns 10-years old
★ All bottles from your cask will have the member’s name, or similar title of your choice on the label design

­So what are you waiting for? Join the club! 🥃

To enquire about this opportunity and for further details, please contact [email protected] in the first instance, and we will introduce you to your SMWS relationship manager.

☞ Sign up to our whisky or travel newsletter at [email protected]

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

15/06/2024

Working with partners and suppliers across Scotland for over 11 years means that we know who to turn to when what we need to hear in response to our enquiry is ‘No problem”!

Links House is a valuable partner and one who have just gone the extra mile for our guests, hosting a private lunch of exceptional standards, complete with a healthy dose of friendship on the side.

If you haven’t been to Links House in Dornoch, it provides an exemplary standard of Highland hospitality, service, food, charm, and all in a spectacular location.

Visit https://www.linkshousedornoch.com/

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

08/06/2024

Peat cutting, historically known as "turbary," (the ancient right to cut turf or peat for fuel) has played a significant role in Scotland's cultural and practical life, especially in regions like the Isle of Lewis and Shetland.

Peat forms through the slow decomposition of plant material, primarily sphagnum moss, in waterlogged environments over thousands of years. This unique composition makes peat an efficient, slow-burning fuel, which was historically crucial for the survival of communities in remote and harsh climates.

Mechanisation of peat extraction in the 1980’s and 1990’s made the process more efficient, it also led to environmental concerns, but thankfully as the ecological significance of the bog lands has been better understood, work is being done to reverse the decline of peatlands, managing and conserving them to increase their carbon storage capacity and reduce emissions.

Most peat extracted today is used for horticulture, with a small amount used for fuel and around 1% used in the malting process of whisky production.

For centuries, peat was an essential fuel source used for heating and cooking. Inhabitants of the tree-bare Scottish islands for example, relied on peat to provide warmth and sustenance during harsh winters.

Alongside the efforts to protect the peat bogs, peat cutting remains a cultural practice in some areas and as such there is strong desire to preserve this ancient practice as part of the cultural identity of regions like the Isle of Lewis. With efforts to ensure it is done sustainably to protect the delicate peatland ecosystems.

Two of our lovely guests enjoyed discovering for themselves just how much hard work is required to hand cut peat in the traditional manner, our thanks to the brilliant Eilidh Johnstone at experiencelewis.co.uk.

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

06/06/2024

Huge thanks to all at the superb shiny new (+ very old) Rosebank Distillery for a top night surrounded by the great and good of the whisky industry. We can’t wait to take our guests to enjoy this fantastic experience, the whisky’s pretty special too…. 🥃

☞ Sign up to our whisky or travel newsletter at [email protected]

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

02/06/2024

It’s hard not to feel envious of our guests who get to turn our fantasy trips into their reality.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of St Kilda is truly a must-see destination.

This unique island, home to a community of isolated settlers for over 4,000 years until 1930, is now primarily inhabited by birds and wildlife, including the remaining Soay sheep.

Visitors to St Kilda will experience its stunning natural beauty and rich history firsthand.

Our thanks to the good ship 🛥️ Sea Harris 🛥️ for safely transporting our guests to this wonderful, haunting, remote island.

☞ Sign up to our whisky or travel newsletter at [email protected]

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

27/05/2024

As our delightful guests wend their way to Orkney 🛫this morning, we have sent them not only our M&B ‘Scotify’ playlist (find it here https://spoti.fi/3ReChwL) but also amazing Orcadian composer & performer Erland Cooper, as suggested by the ever generous Dr Frazer McGlinchey.

Give it a listen. 🎶

☞ Sign up to our whisky or travel newsletter at [email protected]

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

26/05/2024

📣 We are incredibly happy to announce that our second collaborative release with Adelphi and The Ardnamurchan Distillery is now available for purchase.

The first release, (which broke our website, such was the demand for this coveted bottling) was our first foray into selling whisky.

Released at a time when the world was in lockdown, the first bottling enabled the survival of M&B, and led to our pivot into selling whisky - first bottles, then casks. The latter now forms the greater part of our business. 🥃

While the first bottling (the first independent bottling of Ardnamurchan) was released in celebration of Charlie’s 70th birthday, this one is released to meet the demand for more!

Find out where to buy your bottles on the Adelphi / Ardnamurchan stockists page here - https://www.adelphiselection.com/stockists/

Send us photos of you enjoying your M&B / Adelphi / Ardnamurchan dram, wherever you are!

Happy Sunday!

☞ Sign up to our whisky or travel newsletter at [email protected]

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

26/05/2024

📣 We are incredibly happy to announce that our second collaborative release with Adelphi and The Ardnamurchan Distillery is now available for purchase.

The first release, (which broke our website, such was the demand for this coveted bottling) was our first foray into selling whisky.

Released at a time when the world was in lockdown, the first bottling enabled the survival of M&B, and led to our pivot into selling whisky - first bottles, then casks. The latter now forms the greater part of our business. 🥃

While the first bottling (the first independent bottling of Ardnamurchan) was released in celebration of Charlie's 70th birthday, this one is released to meet the demand for more!

Find out where to buy your bottles on the Adelphi / Ardnamurchan stockists page here - https://www.adelphiselection.com/stockists/

Send us photos of you enjoying your M&B / Adelphi / Ardnamurchan dram, wherever you are!

Happy Sunday!

☞ Sign up to our whisky or travel newsletter at [email protected]

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

Adelphi Selection - Scotland's most acclaimed bottler of rare, mature flavorsome single cask and limited edition single Malt Whisky, Fusion Whisky & Spirits

13/05/2024

🥂 MacLean & Bruce is 11 years old today! 🥂

Charlie and Vikki started M&B following organising a highly successful whisky trip to Scotland for HSH Prince Albert of Monaco, and despite several very challenging events, we are proud to still be standing strong. 💪🏻

We work hard to organise truly original, very premium trips to Scotland for our global guests, although we have one anti-luxury (but no camping) request which we are currently fulfilling - our guests’ wishes are always our commands!

We couldn’t do what we do without our friends around the country supporting us, you know who you are and we thank you. 🫶🏻

And the biggest thank you goes to our wonderful M&B HQ Team. ❤️

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

12/05/2024

📸 A Brace of Bruces oot & aboot visiting distilleries.

There are still a good few distilleries we haven’t yet visited, but we’re busily creating wonderful itineraries for our incoming guests, and are excited to be sending a few further afield this year, and Charlie’s diary is getting very full. 🥃

It’s wonderful to see the summer season swinging into action, allowing us to do what we do best! ✈️💎🥂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Drop us a line at [email protected] and sign up to our (somewhat sporadic) newsletter. 🗞️

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

04/05/2024

We’re out and about in Speyside, and stopped off in the gorgeous 17th village of Portsoy on the north coast of Aberdeenshire.

The village is famous for marble (polished red and green serpentine used in the Palace of Versaille) and as a film location for Whisky Galore and Peaky Blinders.

It makes a great stop off location on a distillery tour, one which we shall enjoy taking our guests to this summer! 😎

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

28/04/2024

Here is a little snippet of our gorgeous friends 🎶 www.bellevoci.co.uk 🎶 entertaining our guests during dinner.

Music is one of the key ingredients to elevating experiences to the next level, and we bring it in wherever we can.

(The other ingredients on the menu were met with great approval also! 🦞)

To book a Scottish extravaganza with MacLean & Bruce drop us a line to [email protected].

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

23/04/2024

One of the many, many things we love about Scotland are….. puffins! (Did you know that a baby puffin is called a ‘puffing’?)

Because we live, breathe and work in Scotland, we know all of the best places to go, and that includes if you want to see puffins.

To find out how we can create the perfect luxury Scottish itinerary for you, drop us a line. Puffins optional. 🐧

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

15/04/2024

Is there a better way to travel through Scotland than on board the magnificent Royal Scotsman train 🚂 ?

There can’t be many!

The Marvellous Mr MacLean is on board today and tomorrow, treating guests to not only a whisky tasting or two, but also to his excellent company.

With over 90 whiskies on board, Charlie will be kept busy for the next few days, luckily a comfy bed is never too far away…

Slainte 🥃

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

06/04/2024

- In the 1790 census, Scots made up eight per cent of the population of New York?

We’re in New York for Tartan Week, culminating in the 22nd New York City Tartan Day Parade, today.
ℹ️ Find out more about Tartan Week here - https://www.nyctartanweek.org/

We’ve had a busy week of events with the Scottish Business Network (SBN), including an unexpected meeting with the fabulous Eddie Izzard, who is the first alumni Patron of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.
ℹ️ Support the Fringe here - https://www.edfringe.com/support-us
ℹ️ Join the SBN here - https://www.sbn.scot/join-sbn

We are pleased to have forged some lovely new relationships with the mission of expanding the invitation to our American friends to come and explore Scotland with us.

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

01/04/2024

Only in Edinburgh would you find something which is so….. 🧙🏼 Harry Potter - meets - Dr Who ?

The charming hut on Bruntsfield Links was once a hut for the cabbies of horse-drawn trams. Dating back to 1871, it was relocated here from Marchmont Road in 1929. 🐴

⛳️ Today, this historic spot is part of one of the oldest golfing links in the world, boasting a unique 36-hole Short Hole Golf Course established in 1890.

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

30/03/2024

🤨 What does the word ‘luxury’ mean to our guests? For us the key elements are:

✅ Service - dedicated service from our team and from all of our suppliers

✅ Quality - we work with a small number of high quality, trusted partners

✅ Experiences - creativity in pulling together truly magical experiences is one of our key strengths

✅ Intelligence - listening carefully to our clients, balancing with our own expert knowledge

✅ Authenticity - always a buzzword; there is no substitute for authenticity

✅ Assurance - enabling our clients to relax by ensuring every last detail is covered

✅ Wellness - everything we do for our guests has their wellbeing and benefit to body and mind at the heart of it

✅ Value - no matter a clients’ wealth or budget, the value must be there

🥂 Happily, our guest feedback reflects the effort we put in.

➡️ Working with brilliant Scottish suppliers is the secret to our success, we’re always scouting for how to add value and are happy to be contacted by experience or accommodation providers.

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

27/03/2024

🤩 Some of us are very excited about our new coat made by the exceptional Judy R Clark, which will be heading out to NY Tartan Week in a matter of days!

Visit Judy at www.judyrclark.com to have your own stunning Scottish coat designed.

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

25/03/2024

👑 Today commemorates the coronation anniversary of King Robert the Bruce, who ascended to the throne of Scots on this day in 1306.

👑 Bruce was formally and solemnly crowned King of Scots by Bishop William de Lamberton at Scone, near Perth, on Palm Sunday, March 25th, 1306.

👑 Often portrayed as a national hero, revered for his role as the defender of the Scottish kingdom during the turbulent Wars of Independence, King Robert the Bruce is most famous for winning the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314—a victory that freed Scotland from English rule.

that Bruce’s heart rests at Melrose Abbey (after having some posthumous adventures of its own), his 'viscera' in St Serf's Church in Dumbarton, and his body received a very stately interment in Dunfermline Abbey?

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

09/03/2024

THE BEST DOOR IN THE WORLD.

You might be forgiven for thinking that this is somewhere in the Mediterranean…. But it is 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿SCOTLAND🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿!

This is one of our favourite place in the world, one which we’ve known as a derelict ruin for as long as we’ve know it as a stunning, extraordinary, beautiful hotel - Mingary Castle.

Our clients coming in 2024 will enjoy the delights of Mingary and the Ardnamurchan Peninsula as well as some of our other secret hideaways. What are yours? 🤫

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

05/03/2024

Having a fan-girl moment over a superb dinner at The Little Chartroom in Edinburgh where the relaxed atmosphere and service made a fantastic food experience all the better. If you haven’t been, then go. That is all.

🍽️ www.thelittlechartroom.com

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

05/03/2024

Having a fan-girl moment over a superb dinner at The Little Chartroom in Edinburgh where the relaxed atmosphere and brilliant service made a fantastic food experience all the better.

If you haven’t been, then go. That is all.

🍽️ www.thelittlechartroom.com

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

03/03/2024

🌊 Explore Scotland's breathtaking coastline boasting 6,160 miles of pristine beaches and iconic castles! Here are our top 8 picks:

1. Dunure Castle
2. Gylen Castle
3. Blackness Castle
4. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
5. Old Keiss Castle
6. Castle Tioram
7. Dunnottar Castle
8. Dunyvaig Castle

Got any more hidden gems to share?

This year, immerse yourself in the charm of Scotland's stunning landscapes and historic treasures! 🏰✨

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

02/03/2024

🌊 Explore Scotland’s breathtaking coastline boasting 6,160 miles of pristine beaches and iconic castles! Here are our top 8 picks:

1. Dunure Castle
2. Gylen Castle
3. Blackness Castle
4. Castle Sinclair Girnigoe
5. Old Keiss Castle
6. Castle Tioram
7. Dunnottar Castle
8. Dunyvaig Castle

Got any more hidden gems to share?

This year, immerse yourself in the charm of Scotland’s stunning landscapes and historic treasures! 🏰✨

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

24/02/2024

Remember this? 🥃

If you are an owner of our M&B Vol I (a scrumptious 30-year-old Longmorn), then you will be pleased to hear that we have finally initiated our long-awaited Vol II release. 

The cask, which is of impeccable pedigree, is peacefully dozing, tasting notes have been written by The Marvellous Mr MacLean, the packaging is on order, and the bottling should be done this side of summer by our chums at Auld Bond Bottlers.

If you’d like to put your name down on the advance order list, drop a note to [email protected], and you’ll have first dibs. 

📣 AND we have another website-breaking release coming soon, so stay tuned for updates! (Or subscribe to our slightly sporadic newsletter where fair warning will be given.)

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

24/02/2024

Remember this? 🥃

If you are an owner of our M&B Vol I (a scrumptious 30-year-old Longmorn), then you will be pleased to hear that we have finally initiated our long-awaited Vol II release.

The cask, which is of impeccable pedigree, is peacefully dozing, tasting notes have been written by The Marvellous Mr MacLean, the packaging is on order, and the bottling should be done this side of summer by our chums at Auld Bond Bottlers.

If you’d like to put your name down on the advance order list, drop a note to [email protected], and you’ll have first dibs.

📣 AND we have another website-breaking release coming soon, so stay tuned for updates! (Or subscribe to our slightly sporadic newsletter where fair warning will be given.)

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

23/02/2024

We focus on using local suppliers whenever possible to maintain our strong ties to Scotland's skilled artisans and timeless traditions which our guests value.

We treat out guests to little gifts, and have just taken delivery of some Harris Tweed mice, hand made by a lovely local lady. These will adorn the pillows of our guests over the summer along with other earthly delights.

Harris Tweed originates from the picturesque Outer Hebrides, and is woven in the Isle of Harris and Lewis, along with smaller neighbouring islands.

The creators of Harris Tweed are skilled artisans still using traditional methods to produce a world-class luxury product which is safeguarded by the Harris Tweed Act of 1993.

This parliamentary protection guarantees that genuine Harris Tweed is woven from pure virgin wool, spun, dyed, and handwoven by islanders in their homes, preserving centuries-old traditions.

Look for the iconic Orb Mark, a symbol of quality and authenticity issued by the Harris Tweed Authority. The mark signifies adherence to the stringent standards outlined in the Harris Tweed Act, ensuring unparalleled quality and craftsmanship.

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

23/02/2024

We focus on using local suppliers whenever possible to maintain our strong ties to Scotland’s skilled artisans and timeless traditions which our guests value.

We treat out guests to little gifts, and have just taken delivery of some Harris Tweed mice, hand made by a lovely local lady. These will adorn the pillows of our guests over the summer along with other earthly delights.

Harris Tweed originates from the picturesque Outer Hebrides, and is woven in the Isle of Harris and Lewis, along with smaller neighbouring islands.

The creators of Harris Tweed are skilled artisans still using traditional methods to produce a world-class luxury product which is safeguarded by the Harris Tweed Act of 1993.

This parliamentary protection guarantees that genuine Harris Tweed is woven from pure virgin wool, spun, dyed, and handwoven by islanders in their homes, preserving centuries-old traditions.

Look for the iconic Orb Mark, a symbol of quality and authenticity issued by the Harris Tweed Authority. The mark signifies adherence to the stringent standards outlined in the Harris Tweed Act, ensuring unparalleled quality and craftsmanship.

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]

20/02/2024

A post to celebrate the 100th birthday of one of my all-time heroes and favourite people - the Earl of Elgin & Kincardine, KT.

Very badly wounded in WWII, my father in law has spent 80% of his life living with severe physical consequences. He has lived a long and happy, meaningful and uncomplaining life and is surrounded by a family and many friends who love him dearly and wish him well as he celebrates this wonderful milestone.

He is an extraordinary example of kindness, welcome, patience, resilience, and good humour in the face of adversity - pretty good metrics for life. 🥂🎈🎉

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🥃 www.macleanandbruce.com | [email protected]