Homeward Bound

Neil's Tour de GB 2011

NEIL BEATTIE
Manager
The Lovat, Loch Ness

Neil is joining a group of friends from Bannatynes Health Club in Inverness, under the name of Inverness Spinners, who are cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats (LE JOG) from 21st July 2011.

The Lovat, Loch Ness is sponsoring the team on their journey & are proud to have such a valued member of the hotel, as Neil, joining in their cycle for charity as well as personal satisfaction.

They are taking 10 days to cover the 1000 miles, raising as much money as possible for SNAP, the Special Needs Action Project and Multiple Sclerosis Scotland.

Go Neil!

Wheely Good Deal...

A WHEELY GOOD DEAL COURTESY OF INVERNESS SPINNERS & THE LOVAT, LOCH NESS 2 for 1 FOOD & ACCOMMODATION OFFER

The fourteen-strong team of Inverness Spinners are cycling 1000 miles from Lands End to John o’Groats in ten days (22nd-31st July) to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis Scotland and Special Needs Action Project, Inverness. They have teamed up with their main sponsor, The Lovat, Loch Ness in Fort Augustus to create a very exclusive food and accommodation offer.

In return for a donation to the Inverness Spinners fundraising efforts, just upload a picture of yourself taken with a team member on to The Lovat’s Facebook page or bring the photograph with you to the hotel (mobile phone, camera or hard copy) to qualify for a very special 2 for 1 deal on meals and accommodation. For example, buy two starters and/or two main meals and/or two desserts and get the cheaper one free; book one night B&B or DB&B and get a second night free.

When you get your picture taken with your chosen Spinner, you’ll be given a card to verify your donation and to take along with your photograph. It’s that simple.

www.spanglefish.com/lejog2011
www.thelovat.com

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

• Photographs must be taken by end of August 2011 and the Inverness Spinner must be wearing his/her team colours
• Meals and accommodation must be booked in advance – quote Inverness Spinners when booking
• Maximum four people at one meal sitting, and maximum two nights accommodation can be booked
• Photograph and verification card must be presented at hotel on arrival
• Food and accommodation offers cannot be taken together
• Only one offer per person and not valid for Inverness Spinners
• The offer is valid September 2011-March 2012 and is subject to availability
• Conditions may apply
• For health and safety reasons, the Inverness Spinners team member should not be flagged down whilst cycling

THE CHALLENGES OF LONG DISTANCE CYCLING

Not only is cycling an increasingly popular sport, but long distance cycling in particular is proving a big lure for those who want to set their bodies the ultimate cycling challenge. As part of their training and development programme for cycling the arduous 1000 mile Lands End to John o’Groats route (LEJoG) in July, local cycling enthusiasts, the Inverness Spinners, have invited internationally renowned exercise physiologist, Prof Richard Davison to help them prepare for their gruelling ten day challenge. Prof Davison is giving a talk about ‘The Challenges of Long Distance Cycling’ on Sunday, 19th June at Fairburn Activity Centre, Muir of Ord. The event is open to all, but places are limited and must be booked in advance. Prof Davison said: “I was delighted the Inverness Spinners (my father is a team member) asked me to help out in this way. There are more ways to plan for such a demanding sporting challenge than just putting in hours on the road. I’ll be talking about how best to prepare for long distance events, including sportives and multiple day rides. I’ll also be considering the main challenges the team will face during the ride itself, with specific focus on pacing and nutrition, and will be drawing on personal experience and research studies in scientific literature.” Prof Davison has over 20 years experience in his field, and an international reputation in investigating the factors that influence cycling performance and the physiological responses to cycle ergometry. Other areas of research interest include the use of exercise and physical activity to improve health and quality of life in the general population and clinical groups. He is the current Chair of the Cycling Science Steering Group of the World Commission of Science, Editor for the Journal of Sports Sciences and Sport and former Chair of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (2006-2008).

Prof Davison also tries to practice what he preaches. As a competitive cyclist he has won ten medals at Scottish Championships, including six gold medals. Richard also represented Scotland at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria as a cycling coach and he continues to be very heavily involved with the British Cycling Coach Education Scheme helping to train the future generation of cycle coaches.

The Inverness Spinners’ team of thirteen aims to raise over £15,000 for their chosen charities - Multiple Sclerosis Scotland and local children’s charity SNAP, the Special Needs Action Programme – undertaking the challenge from 21st to 31st July which will see them travel the 1,000 miles from the south of England to the north of Scotland in ten days, accompanied by a two-strong support team. The group’s abilities range from some who, at the start of training, had never been on a road bike before, to others who have already cycled the route or done similar challenges in North Vietnam, France and Ireland.

Places can be reserved for Prof Davison’s talk on ‘The Challenges of Long Distance Cycling’ on Sunday, 19th June at 16.00 at Fairburn Activity Centre, Muir of Ord by calling 01997 433332.

Numbers are limited so early booking is advised. The event is free but donations to Inverness Spinners’ charities are encouraged. Further details about the Inverness Spinners at www.spanglefish.com/lejog2011 For directions to and further details about Fairburn Activity
Centre check out www.fairburncentre.com

Worldwide Recognition

...Tripadvisor has just awarded The Lovat, Loch Ness a 'Certificate of Excellence'.

TripAdvisor awards this certificate to properties who consistently receive excellent ratings from its members. They think our 4.5 rating is something to be proud of & we hope you do too!

• The Lovat, Loch Ness

Contact us before the end of today (31st May 2011) for your FREE nights stay offer!

Restaurant Revival

The Drawing Room


Orkney crab mayonnaise
avocado, curry mousse, apple jelly

Black Isle lamb sweetbreads
stuffed mushrooms, soft herb crust, lemon

English green & white asparagus
soft boiled free range egg, wild garlic, surf clams

***

courgette cappuccino
black olive madeleine

***

fillet of highland beef
foie gras ravioli, crispy shin, beech mushrooms

Nairn pig’s trotter, fillet & cheek
fondant potato, spring greens, cider & apple sauce

poached wild North Sea salmon
langoustine cannelloni, peas, carrots, horseradish

***

Scottish cheese
apple chutney, Dean's of Huntly oatcakes

***

banana parfait
banana crisps, caramel, popcorn

Valrhona dark chocolate mousse
chocolate sorbet, hot chocolate fondant

coconut cream
poached pineapple, tapioca, sweet cicely

***

tea/coffee
petits fours


£37.50 per person

Dinner Served Tuesday – Saturday 7pm – 9.30pm

What's on...

...in the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Just found out that myself & running partner are on the front of the 'What's On' guide. This was the No Fuss half marathon in 2010.

Enlarge this document in a new window
Publisher Software from YUDU

Check out the hotel's availability when choosing your plans for the area.

Music to my May

David Bowen will be performing some music magic
every Thursday throughout May 2011

8.30pm ‘til late


01456 459250
Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, PH32 4DU

(pre-book dinner 6:00pm – 6:30pm
to benefit from 20% off your total meal bill)

Up for a challenge...

In 2006, we were honoured to host Michael's stay at the Lovat when he came over from America to set the world record for paddling Loch Ness...he achieved this in a record 5 hours, 47 minutes & 30 seconds.

We now have someone else coming to stay at the hotel who is going to swim Loch Ness but this time it is not for a world record...it is just for fun!

Jaime, from Spain, is an amateur long distance swimmer and has already swum: the English Channel; Gibraltar; NYCSwim 2010 - to name a few. What was missing in his growing album, was Loch Ness. He is also hoping that Nessie will make a friendly appearance!

He swims for a foundation called "Siempre Adelante" to raise money for people that suffer Latheral Amiotrophic Sclerosis. His slogan is "nado porque puedo y para los que no pueden", that means more or less: "I swim because I am able to do it as well as I do it for people that are not as lucky as me".

Is anyone else planning on a challenge across Loch Ness? Maybe you even want to beat Michael's world record? If so, get in touch - the hotel will offer you accommodation throughout the challenge which will be complimentary based on you beating the record.

On our doorstep...

...it is so easy to forget what is so close to home as you work with your head down, all consumed by the 'busy-ness' of life.

Take time to...

'Stop,
Look &
Listen'

...not for the green man but for you. Discover what is on your doorstep & enjoy it!

Visit the Highlands

Once a winner...

Launch Events 2011

The 2011 Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland Awards (VIBES) is now in its twelfth year & aims to recognise businesses of all sizes & sectors employing environmental best practice in their daily activity to cut down on resource use, increase sustainability, improve reputation & benefit their company’s bottom-line.

This year’s awards will launch through a series of free events across the country in May. The launch events are being hosted by previous VIBES winners - the Lovat being one...so that you can see the work that we carried out in order to win an award & to understand the benefits it has had to the company.

Businesses will be able to find out more information about how the awards work and meet some of the VIBES steering group who will be on hand to answer any questions.

It's also an opportunity to network with businesses over a glass of wine & to be inspired by the great work that our previous VIBES winners have done to make their business as green as possible!

The Lovat, Fort Augustus, Inverness-Shire, PH32 4DU.
Tuesday 10th May 2011
4-6pm

To book your place please email vibes@sepa.org.uk

Pine 'Munching'

Ah ha!

Caught in action...the Torridon Pine Martin caught 'nearly' midnight feasting at Coire Roill Lodge...

In the Training...

Sunday's Inverness Half Marathon thankfully went ahead despite the possibility of a snow cancellation.

The weather was a little damp, cold & windy but nothing to worry about.

The Vienna marathon is getting closer, 17th April 2011 so this half marathon was part of the training.

1 hour, 40 mins, 51 secs

A traveller's findings...

A recent guest has kindly offered us his travelling notes.

Back in 2001 he toured Scotland with his friend & stumbled upon our hotel & village. This is what they said back then!

• Fort Augustus
• The then Lovat Arms

Email us on info@thelovat.com with your past stories, renditions, recollections & memories.

Hideaway but we aren't hiding

The Lovat has been honoured by Petra magazine in Germany as 1 of top 8 hotels worldwide to hideaway to chill out after a long winter...so - book your holiday now & kick back & relax with us, here at Loch Ness.

Pride & Projection!

The Lovat team certainly did Rabbie proud on 25th January 2011.
















Considering the cancellation of the 2010 celebrations due to bad weather, the organisation for 2011 started with a little trepidation....we need not have feared!

With bookings flying in, even until the very last hour, all 44 guests were welcomed with open arms to the Lovat's second exceptionally successful celebration of Burns' life, love, lifestyle & literature.

Highland music was provided by 4 talented musicians, adding some background ambience to balance the tasty supper & the switched on staff.

Julia again put her creative hands to work on the tartan clad decorations, while Neil whipped of his troosers & donned a kilt for the evening. The 'Chieftain o' the Pudding Race' was staggered into the Dining Room to the sound of 'A Man's a Man' - was cleverly Addressed & then washed down with a whisky nip.





















To make sure that the event 'went' as it should, Rabbie watched over the gathering from his aloof yet approving projection on the wall.



Roll on 2012!