Leeds Student Case Study

The Lovat Arms Hotel- Scottish Highlands.

The Hotel

The Lovat Arms hotel is a traditional Victorian hotel situated on the Southern side of the famous Loch Ness in Fort Augustus.

“Lovat Arms is a diverse Loch Ness hotel with a character & class of its own. Its grace & charm is complimented by natural décor, modernism & a genuine, warm hospitality offered by a devoted & passionate team.”
(http://www.lovatarms-hotel.com/)


The Hotel which is family run has had a £600,000 refurbishment in April 2007 (This is Scotland) caters for weddings and corporate events with a bar, restaurant and lovely accommodation. They also hold parties and events for Hogmanay (New Year), Halloween and Christmas.

Environmentally friendly

The boiler in the hotel has been replaced by an eco- friendly biomass wood chip burner. (The executive magazine), which cost £30,000 to save on unnecessary heat loss throughout the day. (This is Scotland, 2006)
They also have many other ways of being environmentally friendly.
The list follows:

· E-cloths for cleaning reducing the amount of bad chemicals.

· All of the cleaning products are degradable ( according to the OECD 301F test) and are free from chlorine, halogens and mineral acids

· The pencils are made from recycled video cassettes and coasters are made from reused tyres.

· The bathroom products are all degradable, phosphate free and CFC free, acid and alkaline free, solvent free and have recyclable packaging.

· Lighting is done by low voltage and energy saving lamps.

· The wood chip burner has a computerized program which monitors bath and bedroom temperatures.

· Corridor lighting is controlled by PIR system-motion detection.
(Only comes on when needed.)

· Glass, cardboard, paper and aluminum is all recycled in the hotel.

· A food waste disposal is on site.

· SAVAWATT and time clocks are on most appliances.

· All toilet paper comes from recycled paper by Nouvelle.

· Tissue paper is 100% recycled too by Cloud soft.

· The kettle in the bedrooms have a 0.85l max limit.

· Dusk-dawn lighting is in urinals with eco-cubes (provided by eco-works LTD) eliminating the need for flow of water and flushing.

(http://www.lovatarms-hotel.com/)


Areas under development

A composter is being made and rain water is planning on being collected for watering the garden and use in the toilets. A bird box is going to be put up and solar panels are to be used for the studio bedrooms. A wooden box is planned for recycling more items.

Guest impact

The hotel aims at guests doing their part and informs guests they can help by leaving towels they need washing in the bath, so clean ones aren’t washed. Turn off electrical appliances when not in use. Keep doors closed to keep temperature right.

The staff

Being environmentally friendly will have the effect of improving staff morale and productivity as the working environment will be much more beneficial to all.

The downside
It is known that bio-energy has lower energy levels than fossil fuels so frequent deliveries are needed to meet demand and the wood chip burner needs a certain water level for effective use.
However, the positive factors outweigh the minor negative ones.
(http://www.lovatarms-hotel.com/)

The future

The Lovat Arms hotel plans to keep being environmentally friendly and with help from Envirowise and trade publications their policy was devised.


Bibliography

Caroline Gregory (Hotel Manager) phone conversation, 21 Oct 07, 12.48pm

http://www.lovatarms-hotel.com/ accessed 19th Oct 07

http://www.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/
This is North Scotland (the press and journal) “highland hotel in race to go green”
Ian Forsyth 01 November 2006

The executive magazine, June 2007 issue 254 “Caroline’s love at first sight” by Leah Williamson

Love the Lovat?

Why not tell the world what you think of us & the surrounding area, by adding your comments to

Holiday Check OR TripAdvisor

“Super Lovat”
Lovat Arms Hotel Bar Restaurant

JackandSam
London3 Jun 2008

We stayed at the Lovat for just one night and wished we could have stayed for longer.
Our room was newly refurbished-clean modern furniture,flat screen TV's,luxurious bathroom and a comfortable bed.

The restaurants were tastfully decorated,the staff were friendly and efficient and the food was outstanding.

This must be one of the best places to stay in the UK

Liked — The room was superb
Disliked — Nothing
JackandSam's Summary
Date of Stay: May 2008
Travelled with: Spouse / significant other
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 50-64
Member since: 03 June 2008

Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
Absolutely!

I recommend this hotel for:

Young Singles, An Amazing Honeymoon, A romantic getaway, People with disabilities, Older Travellers, Families with Small Children, Families with Teenagers, tourists

Loving the Vibe

Check out our new tune!

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=285618363

Once the DVD is complete, this will be our theme.

Awards...in the running!

Come on & Challenge us!

Lovat Arms has been short listed for the 'Rising Star Small Hotel 2008' Award, as categorised by Hotel Review Scotland. If you think we are worthy of such an award then why not vote?!

http://www.scottishhotelsoftheyear.com/vote.form.asp



The Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright
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Craigdarroch House Hotel, Foyers, by Loch Ness
Duisdale Hotel, Sleat, Isle of Skye
The Townhouse, Melrose
Ravenscourt House Hotel, Grantown on Spey
Lovat Arms Hotel, Fort Augustus, by Loch Ness
Tongue Hotel, Tongue
Knockderry House Hotel, Cove by Helensburgh

YOU'LL LOVE IT AT THE NEW-LOOK LOVAT ARMS

A major refurbishment in 2007 has given this lovable hotel new life ► It enjoys an excellent location near the Caledonian Canal ► Lovely warm and inviting Highland atmosphere
IntroductionFort Augustus area guide
The village of Fort Augustus commands a sentry-like position at the southern end of Loch Ness in Scotland’s Great Glen, which you can walk via the Great Glen Way. This magnificent fracture of rugged mountains and deep lochs runs from the east coast to the west flanking the arterial path of the Caledonian Canal. The area is steeped in Jacobite legend with Bonnie Prince Charlie being a prominent figure in local history.
There is much for the visitor to do here; strolling along the canal to marvel at the five lock system that raises and lowers vessels by 40ft as they pass through, taking a boat trip on Loch Ness or exploring the atmospheric Urquhart Castle are all within easy reach. The really brave can always hunt the elusive Loch Ness Monster that lurks deep in the dark water and beckons to be found …
Inverness and Fort William are both equidistant from Fort Augustus – only an hour's drive at most. There are railway stations in both places and the airport at Inverness is well served by domestic connecting flights. The journey by car from Edinburgh or Glasgow will take you through some of the finest scenery in the world – including Glencoe and past the UK’s highest peak, Ben Nevis.
A wee bit of history
The Lovat Arms is built on the site of the old Kilwhimen Barracks - one of four Hanovarian forts built to pacify the Highlanders after the 1715 and 1719 Jacobite uprisings. It was first recorded as ‘The Inn’ in 1869 and later became The Lovat Arms Station Hotel in 1880 when the railway was built through Fort Augustus. In 2005 David and Geraldine Gregory formerly of The Torridon in Ross-shire (The Scottish Hotel of the Year 2004), in partnership with daughter Caroline, bought the jaded property and started a £600,000 refurbishment programme to create the top-notch country house hotel it now is. Fort Augustus is a pretty Highland town and The Lovat Arms, which we at the Guide have known for over 30 years, commands a prominent central position overlooking the imposing former Benedictine Abbey.
Step inside...
The main door leads to a large Vestibule filled with welly boots, a wooden barrow brimming with plants and an abundance of leaflets for local attractions. The atmosphere is immediately warm and inviting. The wood panelled Hall inside has vases of fresh flowers, shelves of books (the sort you would actually like to read) and an eclectic selection of antiques. In the corner a peculiar little phone booth with quaint windows reminds you of the epoch of the hotel which has been so tastefully renovated to maintain these period features. The main Lounge is open onto the Hall and is home to a large Reception desk where two bronze stags sit on the counter, in keeping with the Highland ambience. Check-in is quick and friendly and members of the management team are often to be found here should you need any assistance – the experienced Gregory family are on hand. And if you're tempted by the roaring fire, leather armchairs and comfy sofas, tables topped with glossy magazines and the garden views then a pot of tea and shortbread can be served here before going up to your room.
All public areas are located on the ground floor and the relatively open layout means good access for disabled visitors. There's a splendid Drawing Room with large front facing windows, stone fireplace and grand piano adorned with family photos. The bright classic décor of blues and gold is restful and the room makes an ideal retreat. The Bar Restaurant is found further down the corridor. Style-wise, some rooms have a time-honoured, traditional décor and others are cool and contemporary. This ying and yang approach actually works quite nicely, offering guests alternatives. The Bar Restaurant is open to non-residents and has a lively buzz. A spacious seating area is filled with clean-cut sofas and chairs, arranged to create pleasing spaces. Huge windows line the walls and the gleaming metal counter is strikingly modern. Reached via arched openings from the bar 'zone' is the intimate dining area. This richly-toned space has only a small number of tables and very soft lighting. The mood is certainly alluring and rather chic.
A more elegant Dining Room does exist at the other end of the hotel and is used primarily as a breakfast room at the moment. There are plans to open this room up in the evening for a more formal eating experience, which would be lovely. Soft wooden tones warm this space which is further decorated with ornate mirrors, prints and more antiquities. White linen tablecloths, flowers and gorgeous views outside make this one of the prettiest rooms in the hotel.
Environmental note The hotel has an excellent environmental policy incorporating a £30,000 wood chip boiler, computerised temperature control in bedrooms and public areas, eco-friendly cleaning products, low-energy lighting and a recycling system. Even the coasters are made from old tyres. Full marks for such a progressive approach!
Bedrooms
There are 29 fully refurbished bedrooms in The Lovat Arms. Six Studio Rooms are located in a separate annex building outside and the remaining rooms are in the main house. Two (called Assisted Rooms, in a nice touch) are located on the ground floor and have been commendably adapted to suit disabled guests. The upper floors are served by a lift making all areas easily accessible. The standard facilities are excellent in all rooms – under floor heating, satellite TV, free cable accessed broadband, reasonably priced laundry service, Scottish Fine Soap toiletries and a hospitality tray.
The rooms are generally very modern in décor with contemporary furnishings and splendid bathrooms. Number 11 is an excellent Deluxe Room with an enormous bed and the ability to take a further two extra beds for children – a good family choice. Colours are predominately gentle moss green and brown / neutral, and bathrooms are spacious, fresh and bright. There's a single Super Deluxe and then 3 Master Rooms – a grade up from Deluxe. Number 9 has lovely views to the front and the added comfort of some antique pieces of furniture. The Studios outside are compact but still have the high standard of finish of those in the main hotel, while their bathrooms are replaced by trendy wet rooms. The car park is adjacent to this area which could be a little noisy at times but groups may enjoy being accommodated together in their own ‘place’! There's also one Studio where pets are welcome.
All the rooms are super but the ‘best room in the house’ is number 6 – the Grand Master. This room still has the modern theme but is enhanced by some magnificent antique pieces. The bed is a finely carved wooden affair covered in marshmallow soft pillows and crisp white sheets. An enormous period wardrobe stands to one side and a full length classic mirror is elegantly placed in the corner. The bay window gives views to the abbey and Loch Ness can be glimpsed through the trees. Two gold armchairs summon you to sit and enjoy the fine scenery. A small hallway leads to the magnificent bathroom with a large freestanding tub in the corner, his-and-her sinks on a marble counter, a double shower (with two separate shower heads so you can stand and chat!) and an Aquavision TV to watch while having a soak. Luxury!
Food
There are several opportunities to sample food at The Lovat Arms; breakfast in bed or the handsome Dining Room, light lunches in the Bar, picnics, afternoon tea in the Lounge, dinner in the Bar Restaurant, high tea for children and a comprehensive room service menu are all on offer. Head chef is Jim Murphy and the hotel was awarded an AA rosette this year. The cool Bar has a selection of Orkney Ales, fine wines provided by Inverarity Vaults and Forth Wines as well as Malt Whiskies distilled throughout Scotland and supplied by Gordon & MacPhail. Enjoy whilst relaxing by the log fire.
In the evening there's a fine dining menu as well as one serving bar classics. The Bar Classics menu is available from 5pm until 9pm with the Bar Restaurant menu available from 7pm until 9pm. Both are served in the same area so some customers will be in jeans and popping in for a burger and a pint, with others are seeking an elegant and pricier dinner experience. Both types of guests mingle here. There's plenty of scope to create a gastro-pub type of experience at The Lovat Arms and the hotel is very much in the early stages following the refurbishment; we'll make another update visit this autumn as it had just re-opened when we visited in summer.
On our most recent stay we sampled the Snow Crab, Coriander & Potato Cakes with Saffron Aioli, Sweet Pineapple and Chilli Salsa which was well presented and pretty. The main course of Extra Mature Angus Beef with Rosti Potato, Creamed Cèpes & Roasted Shallot Bordelaise was sensational. For dessert we chose the Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding with a Rich Toffee and Rum Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream.
Breakfast
The lovely formal Dining Room is gorgeous in the morning as, in all but midwinter, the light floods through the windows onto the white linen tablecloths and the views of the Highland scenery are fantastic. A buffet selection of cereals, muesli, cold meats, cheese and yogurt sits out for guests to help themselves. Porridge can be ordered from the kitchen – with Drambuie added for a little morning lift if you need it! To follow, the full Scottish grill has local haggis, bacon and black pudding or you can opt for smoked Lochaber salmon, grilled kippers, smoked haddock or (very nicely) warm waffles. Service when we stayed was quick and cheerful, as you would expect here where there's a friendly ethos.
Leisure
The hotel has no leisure facilities of its own but The Highlands await you outside the front door – walks along the canal, strolls by the abbey, much-recommended boat trips on Loch Ness, golf at the local club in Fort Augustus and fishing on one of the nearby lochs. Enhance your stay with the help of an Holistic Massage Therapist. Contact the hotel for details on treatments available; booking essential.
Functions & meetings
If a Highland wedding sounds just right for you then Urquhart Castle is only 30 minutes away for a breathtaking ceremony and then back to The Lovat Arms for the reception. There are plenty of catering options available and the experienced team will take care of all aspects of your big day from start to finish. For other special occasions there's an exclusive use option where guests can take over the entire restyled and upgraded hotel.
LinksHere are some useful local websites
VisitLochNess.net
Loch Ness cruises
Nevis Range
Urquhart Castle
Ben Nevis Distillery
Fort William & Lochaber
Reviewer's ViewHere's a personal view from the hotel's most recent reviewer
Louise Farquhar says…“The Lovat Arms is a warm and friendly hotel in a fantastic location. The owners and their family have a wealth of award-wining experience in the hotel industry which is reflected in the high standards of service and immaculate interior. Chic bedrooms with a profusion of contemporary features complement the classic public areas which have welcoming fires and antiques. The hotel has gone from jaded and faded to vibrant, enjoyable and truly relaxing.”

http://www.hotelreviewscotland.com/

Fort Augustus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Terry Nutkins also owned the Lovat Arms Hotel, a purpose built station hotel standing on the site of Kilwhimen Barracks, one of four built in 1718. The west curtain wall of the old fort, 34 metres long by 4 metres high in some places, still stands in the hotel grounds. The wall is pierced by a central gateway and ten gun embrasures. The monument is of national importance as the remains of one of the four Hanoverian forts built to pacify the highlanders after the 1715 & 1719 Jacobite uprisings.
Standing in the shadows of this monumental wall will conjure up images of the time Bonny Prince Charlie was in the barracks before he ordered the bombardment of the later Abbey Fort where the present day Fort Augustus Abbey now stands.
The first recorded date of the Lovat Arms being a hotel was thought to have been in 1869, known simply as "The Inn" & run by one Murdoch Bayne.
It was changed, however, in 1880 when the railway was built through Fort Augustus running to Spean Bridge, to "The Lovat Arms & Station Hotel." When the railway closed down in 1911, the hotel became "The Lovat Arms Hotel". It is the Gregorys that are now building on the hotel’s history, rebranding & marketing the hotel, as ‘Lovat Arms, Hotel Bar Restaurant.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Augustus

Scotland is sizzling with MICE success

Nov-Dec 2007,
Geoffrey Cuthbert, Incentive Travel & Corporate Meetings

Highly appropriately, the Lovat Arms Hotel in Inverness-shire has adopted green policies in its major refurbishings which were completed this year. These include installing a fully-automated environmentally-friendly biomass wood chip burner using renewable energy, the latest computerised technology controlling the temperature of bedrooms and public areas saving heat loss, as well as energy-saving lamps, recycling and the use of recycled products. The hotel has meeting facilities for up to 50, but with its stunning views of Loch Ness, the Caledonian Canal and surrounding mountains, it is ideal for incentives offering fishing, hunting, shooting and golf.

http://www.incentivetravel.co.uk/newfiles/NovDec07/frame0607.html

New Year Celebrations in the Highlands of Scotland

The Lovat Arms in Fort Augustus
© Lovat Arms

999today - Where to Stay

20th November 2007

Celebrate the New Year in true Highland style and enjoy the warm and friendly atmosphere at the Lovat Arms in Fort Augustus.

Recently refurbished, this family-run Victorian hotel boasts a prime setting on the southern tip of Loch Ness overlooking the lochside village of Fort Augustus.

The three-day New Year break includes afternoon tea on arrival, cocktail reception and a five-course gourmet dinner featuring a wide selection of the finest local Scottish produce, champagne toast, entertainment and fireworks.

This exciting package will also offer plenty of daytime options to help you unwind or get you up and about.

Relax and enjoy this special time of year with the best of service in the most beautiful surroundings.

Three nights dinner, bed and breakfast from £367.50 per person (arrive Sunday 30 December, depart Wednesday 2 January). For more information, visit www.lovatarms-hotel.com.

Take The High Road To Save The Planet

Nov 18 2007

Mairi Mallon Takes Family On An Eco-Friendly Trip Round Scotland

It's not easy being green but my family are determined to try...even giving up our holiday in the sun for an eco-friendly break at home.
Rather than jump on an ozonedestroying flight to Mallorca, my husband Stephen, kids Katy, four, three-year-old Euan and I minimised our carbon footprint - and saved a few bob - by touring Scotland's bonnie landscapes.

Visit Scotland aim to make Scotland the world's first carbon neutral destination and have given eco-friendly accommodation a green grading.

They also give advice on which eateries use locally sourced food and how to use the car as little as possible.

The first stop on our road trip was St Andrews in Fife for a stay in the Rufflets Country House Hotel.

The luxurious complex became Scotland's first official carbon neutral hotel this year and backs green projects, such as the reforestation of the Caffran Valley in the Scottish Borders.
It is also offsetting its carbon footprint and has a scheme to use rainwater to flush WCs.
The hotel is terrific for children, with teddy bears on the beds and friendly staff. Our room had an antique bed, a large family bathroom and connected to a twin room for the kids.
The hotel's smart Garden Restaurant also gets the thumbs up thanks to its excellent adult and children's menus.

Nothing is too much trouble - a glass of milk is presented on a silver platter - and when Euan played up after our first course, the rest of our meal was sent up to our room with a smile and no fuss.

The next day, we braved the cold wind and headed to Elie beach armed with buckets, spades and wellies.

The kids loved picking up tiny pink shells, while I adored the fresh local fish we ate for lunch at the Ship Inn.

Our next stop was the Highlands and a warm welcome greeted us at the family-run Lovat Arms hotel in Fort Augustus, right on the banks of Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal.
Their central heating and water system uses a revolutionary biomass wood chip burner - very eco-friendly.

The food was excellent and we devoured a fabulous high tea, fish and chips and local lamb.
The Lovat Arms staff even arranged a babysitter so Stephen and I could get a night out at the lively and friendly Lock Inn, where they serve west coast mussels and seared steak to locals and the Nessie-hunting crowd. Definitely worth a return visit.

The Heavens opened the next day, so we headed into Inverness and let the kids loose in the impressive leisure centre which boasts a large indoor and outdoor pool, flumes and rapids.
Thankfully the sun was shining the following day, so we ventured to the beach between Arisaig and Mallaig. It was a two-hour drive but well worth it.

The gorgeous white sands wouldn't look out of place in the Caribbean - although the ice-cold water and pale holidaymakers certainly would!

Our next stop was the Nevis Range north of Fort William, which has a gold grading from Visitscotland for its environmental policies.

The kids screamed with laughter and fear when we took a gondola up to the summit of the Ben, where you can see for 50 miles across the islands.

The small swing park was also a hit, as was watching the daredevils on the downhill mountain bike track - the UK's only World Cup venue for the sport.

On to see the magnificent mountains of Glencoe. We took the easier paths at the foot of the famous Three Sisters and the kids had a ball running through the heather and jumping over streams.

From here we travelled to Oban, where all the accredited green venues were full, so we checked into the friendly and great value Kelvin Hotel.

A boat ride took us to Tobermory on Mull, the setting for our wee ones' favourite telly show, Balamory. They loved wandering the colourful narrow streets looking for their favourite characters and their homes.

Being environmentally friendly on holiday was not that hard. We fell off the green wagon a few times - we drove further than expected and succumbed to the lure of fast food - but when we checked our footprint on the special calculator at www.climate care.org, we had done quite well.

A flight from Glasgow to Palma for four produces 1.68 tonnes of CO2, while our trip produced 0.24 tonnes. We may have come back a bit damp and minus a tan but we minimised our impact on the environment - and on our wallets.

I LOVED
exploring the lush hills of Glencoe.

I HATED coming home without a tan.

SCOTLAND MAILFILE
For details on eco-friendly trips and VisitScotland's green tourism business scheme, go to www.green-business.co.uk
For more information on places to visit in Scotland, log on to www.visitscotland.com
We stayed at Rufflets Country House in St Andrews (www.rufflets.co.uk), the Lovat Arms Hotel in Fort Augustus (www.lovatarms-hotel.com) and The Kelvin Hotel in Oban (call 01631 562 150).

In the News

LOVAT - JUST LOVE IT
08:50 - 17 November 2007
Press & Journal
I Would like readers to think it's my fabulous investigative skills which allow me to reveal the following about the Lovat Arms Hotel, Fort Augustus.

Last month was a hectic time, what with a wedding, an 80th birthday celebration and a fundraising Playboy-themed party taking place.Keen to know the secrets of head chef Jim Murphy's delicious Baked Fillet of Lochaber Salmon and Cassoulet? I can reveal that, too.

By now, you may be thinking one of two things: this restaurant spy is really good or - and this is far more likely - the spy has logged on to the hotel's website. These days, any restaurant worth its low-sodium salt has a website allowing potential diners the opportunity to give the menus the once over.Two items made the Lovat's website better than most. First, it included a "blog" - a chatty news page revealing, in a homely style, details of recent and forthcoming events at the hotel. Secondly, and very unusually, it had a page of downloadable recipes for a two-course dinner party for four people.In a world where hi-tech, instant information is king, it's a brilliant idea and certainly helped persuade my little party of three that it would be worth making the trip along the beautiful, but rather twisty, road from Inverness to Fort Augustus.

While the website may be uber-modern, I was delighted to find that the family-run Victorian hotel is not and retains much of its original charm and character.The first recorded date of the Lovat Arms being a hotel is thought to have been in 1869. Since then, it has provided hospitality for generations of visitors and locals alike and witnessed lots of change. The most recent took place earlier this year when Caroline Gregory, manager of the hotel and daughter of owners David and Geraldine, oversaw a total refurbishment which introduced hi-tech and chic style but kept lots of the old-world charm.

We opted for the promotional Dine Around menu, which offers three courses for £25. As the hotel has just received its first AA rosette, it seemed good value for money.When our meal was ready, we were shown into the formal dining-room, a charming traditional room simply decorated and furnished with objects d'art and a lovely grand piano topped with framed family photographs.

As we tucked into a selection of warm rolls, our starters arrived. Two of us plumped for the smoked Lochaber salmon served atop a warm blini with creme fraiche, lemon and a caper and endive salad, while the younger member had the spring roll stuffed with shredded duck and bean sprout served with a hoi sin dressing.The salmon, lots of generously cut slices with a strong, almost peat-smoke, flavour, was superb and went beautifully with the crisp salad.Spring rolls can be dull as dishwater, but this new version of an old Oriental favourite was highly praised, both for the lightness of the batter and the sweet, tenderness of the duck. For mains, I ordered the fillet of pork, my partner requested stuffed chicken and my son the best end of Highland lamb.

The sweet smell of the roasted lamb wafted across the dining-room, whetting our appetites and making me wish I'd ordered this dish instead.Thankfully, our family policy of always trying a little of each other's dishes meant I did get a wee taster.The lamb, tender and beautifully pink on the inside, was served with clapshot, Lochaber haggis, roast cherry tomatoes and a rosemary and malt whisky jus. A feast for the eyes and taste buds alike, it looked every inch an award-winner.My partner's roast chicken, stuffed with spinach, garlic and Parmesan cheese and accompanied by champ potato, peppered leeks and sweet pea puree, was also declared a winner - although the puree was rather like posh mushy peas. My pan-roasted fillet of pork came with braised Savoy cabbage, pancetta, herb-roasted potatoes and a flavoursome Madeira jus. It's a long time since I've seen cabbage on a menu, possibly because it's not the sexiest veg on the block, but its absence made its return all the more welcome.My pork was slightly dry - more to do with my preferences than the chef's skills - and I could have done with a splash more gravy, but that aside, it was very good, especially when washed down with a warm glass of Shiraz.

From the sweet menu, I was tempted by the sound of the sticky toffee pudding served with cream and a rum and vanilla toffee sauce. The pud was as light as a feather and there was just enough rum in the sauce to raise it to the next level. The contented sighs coming from my companions let me know the caramelised lemon cream tart, served with raspberry water ice and berry coulis, and the chef's extra creamy cheesecake were hitting the spot, too.

Our bill for three meals, plus two soft drinks and a glass of red wine, came to £84.70. The Dine Around offer ends on November 30 and meals must be pre-booked.

November News

Well, November News actually covers a little of October since our Playboy Bunny Pink Night & our Pink Dinner Party, both raising money for Breast Cancer Research, were held at the tail end of October. Money raised is in excess of £5200.00 so a huge, 'Thank You' goes to all those who attended the events, raised money on the casinos, got involved in the raffle & also the impressive auction. The generosity offered by so many individuals is staggering & without so much support & assistance, my job would have been quadruple as difficult!

With the Pink Weekend going with a bang we rolled into the following week somewhat shattered. However, energy was found to dress up yet again for our Halloween Party on 2nd November, followed by the Family Fun Day for our Bonfire Night on 3rd November. Both were a great success with the latter involving tarot card readings, face painting, magic, tricks, treats, an impressive bonfire & a firework display.

The first few weeks of November have proved to be busier than expected, noticeably so due to a few seasonal closures of local hotels. The restaurant is continuing to bustle with bodies over the weekend so we shall see what the next couple of weeks have in store. The staff continue to work hard with a few off on holiday. Next, is our preparation for full on festivities, whether private or corporate.

Biomass Heating

Biomass Heating - Green Tourism.

The Lovat Arms, Fort Augustus is a family run hotel with 29 bedrooms that offers a high class of comfort in traditional Victorian surroundings. The hotel employs about 15 full time staff. As part of a refurbishment of the hotel the owners sought to implement measures to improve the energy efficiency of the hotel. Including these measures has significantly reduced operating costs and reduced carbon emissions from the business. The hotel has estimated that it has reduced energy costs by about £2,000 and anticipates that annual energy savings will be in the region of £10,000.

Following advice from the Energy Savings Trust, the hotel installed a fully automated biomass heating system fuelled with wood chips. The installation of the heating system was supported with funding from the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme and Highlands & Islands Enterprise and an interest free loan from Loan Action Scotland .

The woodchips supply heat at a more favourable cost than conventional heating fuels and support a local wood chip supply company. The heating system is controlled individually in each room. In unoccupied rooms temperature is controlled at 12°C which rapidly rises to 19°C when guests check into the hotel. Room temperature can be flexibly controlled to ensure that the comfort of guests and energy efficiency are met at all times.

Energy efficient lighting is installed throughout the hotel. In corridors this is controlled with motion activated sensors. This has reduced the time that lighting is left on when not required, electricity consumption, costs and carbon emissions.

Commenting on the environmental initiatives at the Lovat Arms
Caroline Gregory, hotel manager said:

What I have done at the hotel feels natural to me – this is not an exercise I am just trying out because it is a trend…. I have been passionate about the environment for years and having the hotel is an added bonus because I can pass on the benefits of what we are doing and in turn what they are able to do. I have scary moments of what the planet could be like in a few years time and this has made me act. I am aware that the environmental performance of the hotel could be improved further, however we have made a start on this process and intend to continue.

Lovat Arms Green Toursim (pdf 110kb)