Loch Ness Trail

Voluntary Payback Scheme Update from Destination Loch Ness

















Thank you all for your contributions.

Since the scheme was launched in December last year participating members have now raised almost £600.

All monies to date are going towards interpretation on the South Loch Ness Trail Project (Update attached for your information). When the Trail is officially launched early summer next year, all participating members of the Scheme will receive acknowledgement of their contribution in publicity material for the trail.

We hope in due course to make contributions to other environmental projects around the loch but until we have more DLN members participating in the scheme, this is unlikely. So please, if you know someone whose business could be part of the Scheme we would appreciate some gentle persuasion! As we are all aware, visitors are more than happy to make a contribution.

All wired up..

David had a lucky escape whilst driving home along the A9 on his return from New York. A roll of wire fell of the back of a farm vehicle & got caught around the car's prop shaft!

The AA came to the rescue to cut out the wire & set David back on his way!

Phew!

New York...New York

Well...Caroline did it!

Out of 44, 829 runners, Caroline came 8649 – this means she came in the first 19% of runners. She also came 1480 out of all the females running.

It truly was an immense experience – the sun shone, the skies were blue & the skyline was amazing. The crowds were around 2 million & were an incredible boost along the route. David, Caroline's father, went out to support her & managed to catch a glimpse of her running 3 times along the way.

In the end, Caroline ran, representing the Fire Department, FDNY – they also gave her a little preferential treatment: from 7am there was a pre-race tent with coffee & cover until the start at 9:40am. They then all met for drinks & managed to get showered up after the marathon in a posh Central Park hotel!

Caroline's final time was 3hrs, 43 mins & 59 secs.

So 'Congratulations' goes to: Joe Guadagno who guessed 3hrs, 44mins so was 1 second out! A voucher will be on its way to him!

Thanks for everyone’s support – role on Vienna when Caroline will be doing another one!

No No No...

Do you often find yourself in a similar situation? Hampered by Scotland's inability to offer you what you want, when you want it & how you want it?

Well maybe a few years ago businesses could be picky - they could dictate to you what they gave you, how they gave it to you & if they gave it to you.

However, cunningly enough this recession has certainly sharpened attitude...it has made the customer wise to the fact that actually...they are entitled to get what they want, when they want it & how they want it...they want quality, they want to know that their hard earned money is going on something that will be a benefit to them, enrich their lives & have a positive impact. If they don't get this, well - they'll think with their feet & never return or more likely they'll think with their computers, type until their heart is content on sites such as Tripadvisor...then they'll never go back...

So the recession has affected the customer, the consumer & the visitor - it has changed their way of thinking...& why not? Why should the business be complacent - expecting the visitor to come whatever the consequence. Businesses need to wake up, if they haven't already & home in on the fact that actually - we are in business to be a business, to make a business & to offer a future business. It is not all about now - it is about the...I can't quite reach it yet bit...

This picture makes me laugh but if you really think about it - it is incredibly sad because you only have to look around you to see that subconsciously, this is all around us...'Don't park here'; 'Don't do this...'; 'Don't do that...' - why can't we educate people to actually do what should be common sense because we should have a pride in our country. Do we really have to indicatively tell people not to litter? I mean c'mon...is respect so low?

Well, if hard times are making people think about how they spend their money & what they get for it then maybe it is only time before this will spread into other ways of life. We need leadership, action & positivity to bring those who are quite happy to be complacent, with us or indeed leave them behind to moan & groan...well they are good at it, aren't they?

FREE NIGHT DBB...

...BUT what time can Caroline do her New York Marathon in?

Email your answer to caroline@thelovat.com

Guess the correct time & win a free night at the Lovat, Loch Ness - Dinner Bed & Breakfast between 2010 - 2011 (subject to availability & excludes speciality events)

Run CG Run!

Free Champagne!

Be the Lovat's first guest to book online through Facebook & receive a complimentary bottle of champagne to celebrate your social network style!

Love it!

The future...

...of tourism.

It is all to easy to sit back & say nothing...maybe you can't be bothered; maybe you don't actually care; maybe there is no-one to talk to; or maybe you are just fed up saying the same old sentences on the same old topics to the same 'old' people (obviously not wanting to categorise any age groups here).

It is all to easy to sit back & be complacent to expect business to come knocking on your door & to expect that phone to keep ringing but reality isn't so kind & if you haven't already had a sharp prod to realise that you actually need to work at business to make it work for you, your industry & dare I sound a little American here, & your country - then you seriously need to take your clothes off & step outside into this bitter, dreich night (or maybe that is how you are getting the business?)...to wake the *#?! up.

What I am getting at is...things are going to change & like it or not, things are going to have to change...sustainability is a word here to stay.

Attending a 'think tank' - I thought it quite apt to scribble down:

Sustainability v Selfishness

Sustainability - a word that scares most people because it has 6 syllables but honestly - it is just another word for, say, 'survival'. There, that's 3 syllables - can you swallow that?

Sustainability is not only about the environment - it is about competition, community, Scotland, You, Me, profit, quality, protection + other aspects of business development. Sustainability is your business plan - it is your way forward & ours.

I could go on but am losing my thought, sustainability ironically getting the better of me - just have your say & make a difference here.

Monopoly

Back in 2007-2008, the Lovat did a 'Bank on Us' campaign, offering guests the opportunity to 'Take a Chance' or 'Community Chest' on arrival at this Loch Ness hotel. The cards would offer anything from a bunch of grapes to an upgrade straight to the Grand Master Bedroom - it proved very successful.

Now monopoly life is going to be for real with the introduction of a new game featuring this Highland area...we all wait with anticipation!

Maybe, 'Bank on Us' will make a comeback with Loch Ness Monopoly!

Green & Supreme...like it!

Scotland Outdoors, comes to stay...you should to! Mention this article on booking & get a complimentary room upgrade as well as a bottle of wine!

(subject to availability)

Read the article here

Great North Run - now New York!

Great North Run accomplished by Caroline & her sister, Alison.

Caroline raised

£513.85

Including Gift Aid for MS Society so thanks to everyone who assisted in gaining this target.

She also finished the 1/2 marathon, not a personal best but in 1hr, 48mins.

Roll on New York!