Keep on running...

...it's a long road ahead!

To keep her eye on the New York marathon, in November 2010, Caroline is entering some UK races to test her stamina! The first of its kind will be the Edinburgh 10k in May 2010, closely followed by the Great North Run. If you would like to get involved in supporting her, the first charity is Alzheimers, on behalf of a team mate whose father is struggling with the illness.

Let it snow...let it snow...

...let it snow!

















The skies are heavy with snow, with more forecast. Lots of fun to be had...but believe it or not...the Nevis Range is not open for business yet...I know...don't even get me started!

Safe driving all those who are out & about & remember to throw a snowball!

40 years on...

...4 successful businesses, 3 strong minded daughters, many fond memories together as well as a few stressful times thrown in for good measure but above all an exceptionally strong bond that has kept them together through the hard times & strengthened them through the good.

David & Geraldine Gregory
Ruby Wedding, 13th December 2009

What amazing parents, mentors, entrepreneurs & above all characters who light up our lives & all those who come into contact with them...occasionally the light flickers through natural emotion but we are human after all.

Good luck for the next few years which could prove tough - what with walking sticks, zimmer frames & a few more finger wags accompanied by a 'David Malcolm Gregory'!

Keep enjoying life & enjoying memories together.

I am proud to say that these two are certainly the 'icing on the cake'.

3...2...1...we have lift off!

The Rocket has arrived!

Doug Boyle from Organic Services (Scotland) Ltd, kindly delivered the brand new Rocket from Edinburgh to the Lovat, Loch Ness on Friday, 18th December 2009.

Compost Doctors Scotland & Sarah from Compost Recycling Newtwork for Scotland (CRNS) have assisted in installing the first ever Rocket in the Highlands.

The Rocket will take about 1 month to be fully operational, producing some decent compost for the Lovat garden.

A huge thank you goes to all those involved in helping the Lovat in their aim for zero food waste, reduced carbon emissions & reduced waste to landfill.

Developing People...

...developing the Lovat

How long is a peice of string? How can you measure someone's potential?

Tickety Boo Scotland have completed a 2 day development event at the Lovat.

The unravelling of the Lovat's bright young stars has begung.

Two Tourism Trophies

The Lovat, Loch Ness was blessed with 2 awards on 20th November 2009 at the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, held at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness.

The team took home the 'Developing People' award which demonstrates the commitment held by all working at the hotel.

Caroline Gregory was also honoured to pick up the 'Young Ambassador of the Year Award' for her contribution to hospitality.

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers rocked the evening with their entertainment

Heaven?

D&G have had the fabulous opportunity to cruise on the Hebridean Princess around the areas of Scoland that they normally only experience on dry land. This time they can marvel at Scotland's beauty from the sea.

I believe the voyage has been a little bumpy at times but check out those views! A bit of a swirl on the water is lost when you reaslise the magic surrounding you - understanding that heaven isn't a place, it's a feeling.

Mystery Resolved

Murder at the Lovat, Loch Ness - 31st October 2009.

Lady Lovat is poisoned...the dinner party try to unveil the murderer after much deliberation.

Who done it...?

Great photo on the stairs - but who is the character at the back?

Double Dose of Delight

Judges' Recognition Award, sponsored by Williamson Foodservice

This special award is reserved by the judging panel to recognise & reward excellence in any category or for one particular entry. It is not open for general entry: candidates will be selected by the judging panel from entries received across all categories.

The Lovat

The judges were very impressed by the Lovat’s entry in the Environment Award & their tremendous & genuine effort across many areas of the business to promote good environmental practice. The business has successfully developed & implemented a fully comprehensive environmental strategy that has the additional bonus of generating real efficiency savings. Well done to The Lovat for this special award.

The Lovat, Loch Ness


Young Ambassador of the Year Award, sponsored by Polaris Learning Ltd

New for 2009, this award recognises a young person’s outstanding contribution and achievement in the Highlands and Islands food and drink sector. The award will recognise and celebrate an individual’s work to develop the industry in the Highlands and Islands.

Caroline Gregory

The judging panel were very impressed by Caroline’s remarkable commitment to business, social responsibility, the environment and the local community. Her impact upon the business is extremely impressive and overall, she is a very inspirational and an outstanding role model for others.

Gary Williamson, managing director of Williamson Foodservice and title sponsor of the event, said: “Recognising excellence in the food and drink sector of the Highlands and Islands is the aim of the Awards and, as chair of this year’s judging panel, I know that this has been achieved tonight. I’d like to congratulate all Award winners tonight and, in particular, Caroline Gregory who received the inaugural Young Ambassador of the Year Award, as well as the Judges’ Recognition Award for her business, the Lovat in Fort Augustus. (Inverness-shire)

Ray of Light

Gloomy day that turned into a stunning evening -

Loving it at the Lovat!

The Lovat Discovered!

The Lovat, Loch Ness is part of the Best of British, as stated by the Observer

Visitors' Book Tribute

Look well at Telford's chain of locks; above it
Observe the place where, from a royal fort,
Vengeful invaders cowed a people, drove it
Away to westward, never to be caught.
Today, thanks to the inn which David bought
And fitted to our needs, like hand to glove, it
Renders the weary traveller sweet support,
Mends loveless lives & bids dull care to 'shove it';
Staffed by a team competitors must covet,
Haven of helpful service, rain or shine;
One sees them daily striving to improve it,
Taking their cue from mistress Caroline.
Eros has built a cot to lodge a dove at,
Let love's bright arrows link you to the Lovat.


September 2009

"How special to have a poem spontaneously written in the guest book. This means a great deal to us - that someone has taken the time to put their thoughts together with such fine eloquence. Thank you."

Hallowe'n Haunted Hotel

...welcome to The Lovat, home of the Lovat Family since 1839 & also the home of many a secret. Every year we celebrate Hallowe'n carrying on the tradition from the days when Lord & Lady Lovat ruled the manor, & this year is no different (of is it?)...

...of course no-one has ever known for sure what really occurred on that night but it’s been said that on Hallowe'n someone can be seen from the bedroom where Lady Lovat was murdered..."

Book Online

Studio Bedrooms at £75.00 per person, Dinner Bed & Breakfast
Deluxe Bedrooms at £95.00 per person, Dinner Bed & Breakfast

Making our Mark...

Sourcemap is a ground-breaking web site that provides business owners with a means to diagnose and market their supply chain and carbon footprint. It is the first of its kind, offering a free and open collection of tools to share the ethos behind sourcing and business practices. The website guides users through the process of designing an interactive supply chain map and carbon footprint calculation to be embedded on external sites and social networks. As part of our first pilot study, we are working with progressive small companies concerned with supporting their local communities and the environment. Through this study, Sourcemap is being refined for ease of use by decision makers in hospitality, food and drink, and craft industries.

The Lovat, Loch Ness is an independent eco-conscious hotel overlooking the natural beauty of Loch Ness and its surroundings. Managing Partner Caroline Gregory operates the hotel and restaurant with an underlying respect for the environment and surrounding region, as evidenced by a seasonal and locally-sourced menu, eco-conscious appliances and design, and ambitious initiatives to reduce the overall environmental impact. She is accounting for the emissions incurred by her guests' travel to the hotel in an effort to offer a carbon-neutral destination.

Caroline inspired the application of Sourcemap to travel and hospitality businesses. Her meticulous accounting for the energy use of the hotel and the carbon footprint of her guests is driven by a respect for the regional and global environment, part of an ethos she shares on her website. When presented with Sourcemap, she proposed to map her yearly guests' journeys to the hotel and include the map on her site to reassure future guests that their travel footprint was being accounted for. This is part of a pragmatic approach that makes it possible for clients to find out for themselves and learn about those aspects of the business that interest them. We look forward to adding features to this site so that she can share more of the careful decisions that make the Lovat Arms innovative and successful.

Leonardo Bonannicarolin
amerigo@media.mit.edu
PhD Candidate, MIT Media Lab
Director, Sourcemap.org

BBC report
HIE report

Baked Alaska

D&G's living quarters - Alcatraz!

D&G are in Alaska! They won't be baked that is for sure but I shall keep you updated with their shenanigans!

So far:

• travelling at sea on their cruise
• excellent meals
• G had her hair styled
• D had some acupuncture on his neck
• oh yes, they shook hands with the Captain!
• Were at Sitka, a small town almost 1,000 miles from Vancouver with a lot of Russia influence
• Saw the Salmon running up the Indian River
• Looked out for a Brown Bear which had been sighted in the Reserve
• Off to Skagway on a Train
• Having a great time and have met some interesting people
• Both having a great time
• Went on the White Pass Railway built in the late 1890 to transport supplies to the Yukon when the GOLD RUSH was on. It rises to almost 3,000 feet
• Juneau - here we visited the Mendenhall Glacier a great site
• Been on the cruise for almost a week now, on Sunday we have a full day at sea
  

Help us to improve...

How did we do?
		Without a doubt	Yes
Were we efficient?		71.0%	26.0%
Did we know our stuff?		65.0%	30.9%
Did our food hit the spot?		75.3%	21.2%
Was the place clean?		83.2%	16.5%
Were we friendly?		84.9%	13.9%
Did you feel relaxed?		77.7%	20.2%

'Did we know our stuff?' - is ranked the lowest out of all questions. Can anyone help us?

Is it lack of local knowledge?
Lack of product knowledge?
Something else?

please email me with any answers on how we can improve.

Lesley's Contribution

The Lovat Housekeeping staff are putting Lesley forward for the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards to be held in November 2009. The category is Leadership.

Good Luck as you deserve to win!

Improvements in all departments

Back on 5th June 2009, we reported the progress of The Lovat, Loch Ness based on your feedback via our comment cards.

The hotel has gone from strength to strength with % improvements on all aspects that are reported on by you.

A huge thank you to all staff for their contribution, it is often hard to keep standards high in the busy spells because time is precious & limited but they have continued to improve & show dedication to the tasks at hand. Thank you to all our guests as well, who have given us the feedback we have needed to improve in areas that showed weakness. It is only through your support & consideration that we can make a difference.

How did we do?
	Without a doubt	Yes	Kind of	No
Did we welcome you?	74.5%	23.2%	1.3%	1.0%
Were we efficient?	74.0%	23.8%	2.3%	0.0%
Did we know our stuff?	66.6%	32.1%	1.0%	0.3%
Did our food hit the spot?	73.6%	22.5%	3.3%	0.7%
Was the place clean?	84.6%	15.1%	0.3%	0.0%
Were we friendly?	85.9%	13.1%	1.0%	0.0%
Did you feel relaxed?	81.4%	17.6%	0.6%

Even your expectations have exceeded our last recording.

Overall, your expectations were...
	Response Percent
Exceeded	69.7%
Matched	28.8%
Kind of matched	1.5%
Barely matched	0.0%
Certainly not matched	0.0%

Out of all the above responses, 100% said that they would return to The Lovat.