Go Go...Lovat Arms

GREENER FOOTPRINT WINS BUSINESS PRIZE FOR LOVAT ARMS

19 September 2008

The commitment and imagination shown by an iconic Loch Ness Hotel to becoming more environmentally friendly as part of a major recent refurbishment has been recognised with an award at a prestigious event celebrating Business Excellence in the Highlands and Islands.

The Lovat Arms Hotel was presented with the Envirowise Award for Excellence in Resource Efficiency at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) Highlands and Islands Annual Dinner and Business Excellence Awards 2008 by one of the UK’s leading businessmen, James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK. The awards ceremony was held on Friday night at The Highland Conference Centre and Newton Hotel in Nairn with over 250 guests.

The Lovat Arms Hotel Loch Ness is a landmark Victorian hotel overlooking Fort Augustus. Its total refurbishment was completed in April 2007. Among the environmental innovative measures introduced were e-cloths with micro fibres for cleaning instead of chemicals, a revolutionary biomass wood chip burner to control the central heating and hot water system along with actively promoting sustainability measures through supporting numerous events and schemes locally.

The award was collected by its Managing Partner, Caroline Gregory. She said:

“It is a real honour & achievement for us all to be spontaneously offered such an award in recognition of what we actually do quite naturally. We are always looking for new ways to improve so being more energy efficient & eco-conscious is just another method of showing our customers, it is possible to still offer comfort & quality whilst trying to reducing our environmental impact. Thank you to Envirowise for their acknowledgement of our efforts – it is much appreciated.”

Congratulating the Lovat Arms Hotel, Davina Wyper, Marketing Manager of Envirowise in Scotland, said:

“We are delighted to award the Lovat Arms Hotel for their steps to improve their environmental performance. What they have achieved, demonstrates that most companies can now implement no or low cost solutions which will not only have a positive impact on the environment but will also increase company profits.”

Gareth Williams, SCDI Highlands and Islands Manager, added:

“Congratulations to Caroline and everyone at the Lovat Arms Hotel. Tourism in the Highlands and Islands has always benefited from the region’s reputation as clean and green, and the Envirowise Award demonstrates the competitive advantage for businesses from improving and marketing their environmental performance.”

• Caledonian MacBrayne Award for Excellence in Tourism – Duart Castle Partnership, Isle of Mull, Argyll.
• The Crown Estate Award for Excellence in a Marine Business – Buckie Shipyard Limited, Buckie, Banffshire.
• Envirowise for Excellence in Resource Efficiency – Lovat Arms, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus.
• Gleaner Oil and Gas Award for Entrepreneurship – The Ice Factor, Kinlochleven, Lochaber.
• Highlands and Islands Enterprise for Excellence in Research and Innovation – DanMedical Ltd, Inverness.
• Royal Bank of Scotland for Excellence in International Business – Walkers Shortbread Ltd, Aberlour on Spey, Moray.
• Scottish Water Award for Excellence in Environmental Sustainability – Skye & Lochalsh Food Link, Dunvegan, Isle of Skye.
• SCDI Award for Highlands and Islands Young Engineers Club of the Year – Westray Junior High School, Orkney.
• SCDI Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Business Achievement – Gordon & MacPhail, Elgin, Moray.

Associate Partners were Diageo, Flybe, Global Energy Group, Highland Spring, LifeScan Scotland Ltd, Majestic Wine and the Port Services Group.

The evening was hosted by new Channel 5 News anchor and reporter Isla Traquair and after dinner entertainment was provided by Dead Ringers star Jon Culshaw.

SCDI is an independent membership network which strengthens Scotland’s competitiveness by influencing Government policies to encourage sustainable economic prosperity, with offices in Inverness, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Our membership is drawn from Scottish business, trade unions, public agencies, educational institutions, local authorities, voluntary sector and inter faith groups.