Castleton House Hotel

This country house hotel excels at small top end meetings

This lovely country house hotel in Tayside which only boasts six bedrooms - one with four poster bed, offers delegates, 'tranquillity to think' say owners David and Verity Webster.

Business facilities: The formal dining room is a perfect room for board meetings, small presentations or private dining. The capacity is 30 in most layouts. The conservatory and garden are also options. Overhead projector (projecting on to flat wall for excellent resolution) TV and video theatre style can be set up for 20. Tea/coffee breaks consist of freshly ground cafetiere coffee or tea, accompanied by homemade biscuits, cake, shortbread or scones. Castleton prides itself on being able to discuss all business needs and to try to meet expectations.

Dining: Fresh fruits and vegetables from the gardens and pork from the Castleton Tamworth pigs. The conservatory restaurant and formal dining room are considered one of Scotland's best restaurants.

Team bonding/relaxation: Castleton enjoys close links with all the tourist interested organisations from golf courses to castles, fishing and falconry, shooting including targets and clays and off road driving. The hotel has ten acres of ground, so a gentle stroll may be the perfect opportunity for privacy. The hotel also has a nine-hole putting green and croquet.

Transport links: an hour's drive from Edinburgh airport and Aberdeen.

Case study: Castleton has handled some very exclusive meetings at the highest levels of politics and law. Recently the four chief constables involved in policing the G8 summit met at Castleton where they enjoyed a lunchtime meeting whilst assured of complete privacy.

Top Tips on organising your social programme

1. Learn in advance the names to know, the organiser, the honoured guest etc. and use them; it is very flattering.

2. Make the organiser look and sound good. The rest of the party will praise them and they will be happy. What's more they will probably want to keep the details of such a winning formula exactly the same and book next year.

3. Be absolutely ready at least half an hour to go, even if the party is not. It will be a big deal to the organiser or host to show that you take their concerns seriously.

4. Know their time schedule and stick to it. If they are behind put them back on time; the bulk of the guests will probably not be aware of this issue, but the driver, guide and host certainly will and they are the ones who will bring you more business particularly if you dig them out of a hole.

5. Look after the driver(s). This might be a coach driver or perhaps taxis booked at the end of the night. Offer them coffee and shortbread and a newspaper.

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