Nifty at Ninety!

Here's my Nana - on Skype! She will be Ninety years young in April 2009.

Innana-vation!

Out of the blue...yellow, red, green...

This looks like a bolt of...rainbow!

David & Geraldine have left the Lovat & are now back home at the Torridon for a few days. The Inn had its re-opening night on Friday - the place looks amazing with a complete revamp in wood paneling. Go visit...but be sure to visit us too!

Loch Ness can often offer a bolt of rainbow & we can offer a bolt of brilliance to top it off!

Mention rainbow on booking & you'll be in for a wee treat on arrival

Mother's Day Flowers

It can be hard work, working with your parents! Within the professional environment, you also have to get used to calling them by their Christian name as you have to separate business & personal.

I get so used to calling my Mum, Geraldine or G it was actually really satisfying to, for once in a long while, surprise her on Mother's Day with a fantastic arrangement by Amanda.

Thanks Mum - you are a diamond!

Morning Light

Getting up so early has its benefits

Mum's the Word

With Mother’s Day approaching, there are a few options at the Lovat this Sunday lunchtime, 22^nd March 2009.

12:30pm - 3:00pm

2 Course Lunch at £17.00 per person (normally £20.00)

3 Course Lunch at £22.10 per person (normally £26.00)

The above includes a 15% discount on all pre-booked meals

There is also a Lighter Lunch option (sandwiches, homemade beef burger, fish & chips as well as snacks) available on the day

Meals can be accompanied by a pint or a glass of wine at the great rate of £1.50 per serving.

Offer ends Saturday, 12noon – please reply (caroline@lovatarms-hotel.com) or contact the hotel on 0845 4501100 with enquiries, quoting ‘Mum’.

Standing still...

...take a breath.

A perfect shot of Loch Ness, as taken by Lesley, our Head Housekeeper on a walk up 'Alt na Criche'.

This route is a must when visiting the area - panoramic views of Loch Ness & Fort Augustus.

Breath-taking.

Out & About

Colin, our new Head Chef, has managed to drag himself away from the kitchen & enjoy a little of the Scottish scenery, with wife Tracy.

Here is a photo from today - the Glenfinnan Viaduct.

"Riding the Wave"

This brings a whole new meaning to 'riding the wave', which I always considered as a positive - only to be suddenly turned into a negative.

I've just had a delivery from Highland Industrial Supplies (HIS) & had to place a signature on the delivery note. Whilst I do not object to signing & printing, I had to question why? I have never had to do this in such detail before as we have had a great relationship & been dealing with this business for over 15 years.

As confirmed by the driver, it is no longer possible to rely on good faith & honesty. It is not advisable to leave goods at the back door on the assumption that customers will actually confirm that they have received them.

The credit crunch intimated to me a tightening of belts rather than the belt being turned into a whip that people would be happy to crack at anyone & everyone. This whole back lash gives me goose bumps. It is inconceivable to even contemplate turning around to my supplier 30 days after a delivery, saying - 'we never received that' - but this is apparently what is happening.

Those small businesses relying on integrity are suddenly having to rethink their practise. Maybe it is a wake-up call for us all...to not be so 'nice' & to start waving that hard nose at anyone we do business with in the near future, irrespective of our past. But who would have thought that that belt, that had actually turned into a whip - is now in fact a knife...to stab you in the back?

It is just appauling how the tsumanmi is rearing its crest & the dredge from the bottom is finally showing what it is really worth. Salt...& not rock salt at that...that's too expensive.

With or without?

Just trying to sort out our new branding...any comments, thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

With or without the line?

Some think it makes the logo look like a sad face...!

Remove it, shorten it, tweak it?

Give us your feedback - caroline@lovatarms-hotel.com

STAY AWAY!

Book online or call us to stay away - 0845 450100 or +44 (0)1456 459250

MAD MARCH

Stay 2 nights Dinner Bed & Breakfast at the cracking rate of £65.00 per person per night. Select your dates & put 'madmarch' into the promo code

MOTHER'S DAY

Smother Mother...with love on Sunday, 22nd March 2009 from 12:30pm - 3:00pm. 2 courses at £20.00 or 3 courses at £26.00 per person. Fully prepay by 8th March & benefit from a 10% discount on the meal

EASTER BREAK

Break away for the Easter weekend & relax at the Lovat. Arrival afternon tea, 3 course dinner each evening, Scottish breakfast each morning & accommodation from £90.00 per person, per night. Put 'Easter' into the promo code once selected dates on line

JANUARY - MARCH SALE 2009

Stay for 2 nights Bed & Breakfast & get the 3rd night free, (not in conjunction with any other offer)

LOVING LAST MINUTE DEALS

Benefit from reduced rates for late Bed & Breakfast bookings, in this month only.

DINER BED & BREAKFAST

Dinner Bed & Breakfast from £145.00 per rom per night. Full non refundable prepayment required.

RENT A WEEK...

for £20.00 less per night. Bed & Breakfast & Room Only rates available Full non refundable pre-payment required & Room Book online now

EARLY BIRD 2009

Non refundable, full prepayment allows you to book now for any date in 2009 & benefit from a 15% discount on each night booked.

WINTER WARMER 2009

Stay for 2 nights in November or December 2009 & get the 3rd night FREE. Includes: accommodation, dinner & breakfast from roughly £44.00 per person per night. Book online now. Non refundable full prepayment required

SUNDAY STAY AWAY 2009

Stay away for a minimum of 3 nights, any day in 2009 & include a Sunday to benefit from a 25% discount on the Sunday accommodation rate.

LOVING RELAXATION

In-house Therapeutic Massage available through Elaine Minshull. Bookings advisable so please contact us on 0845 4501100 to book a treatment. £35.00 per hour

BLOW THE COBWEBS AWAY 2009

Stay any date, for a minimum of 2 nights in 2009 & book an activity to enjoy a complimentary room upgrade & a bottle of wine. Contact the hotel team for details on what activities are available at the local centre - www.highlandactivities.co.uk

Rocket Ride

WANTED!

Sous Chef to join the new team under the excellent guidance & direction of Colin Clark. The kitchen is undergoing some transformation & there is room for huge development in terms of culinary offering to the local area, Loch Ness & Inverness.

The Brasserie is in operation just now with a mixed menu to suit a variety of needs, whether something simple or something a little more fancy. The Restaurant will be open in May 2009 to push for 2 rosettes.

Email caroline@lovatarms-hotel.com with any interest in the position.

Live in available
£18k - £20k

The sky's the limit - so join us on the rocket ride!

Dessert Menu 2009

Assiette of Petits Puddings 6.50

Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Sauce

Lemon Posset

Peach Ginger Parfait

Sticky Toffee Pudding 5.50

Toffee Sauce, Vanilla Ice Cream

Duo of Strawberry 5.50

Strawberry Cheesecake

Strawberry Cinnamon Crème Brulée

Dark Chocolate Tia Maria Tart 5.50

Sauce Anglaise, Cherry Ice Cream

Scottish Cheeses 7.50

Biscuits, Grape Chutney, Celery

Selection of in-house Ice Cream 5.25

Milk Chocolate, Tia Maria

Strawberry, Kirsch

Whisky, Ginger

Bailey’s, Vanilla

Cinnamon

Honey, Almond

Sorbet

Raspberry

Mango

Pineapple, Ginger

Brasserie Menu 2009

Starters

Breaded Lochaber Haggis 5.25

Neeps, Tatties, Whisky Sauce

Creamy Garlic Mushrooms 5.45

Toasted Brioche Bread, Pesto Dressing

Mozzarella, Tomato Tart 5.75

Black Olive Salad, Tomato Basil Dressing

Letterfinlay Smoked Salmon 6.95

Caper Berries, Lemon

Chicken Liver, Ham Hough Terrine 5.95

Red Onion Jam, Cider Reduction (GF)

Smoked Duck Breast 6.50

Kumquat Jam, Petite Salade, (GF)

Orange Chilli Syrup

Crab Spring Roll 5.95

Herb Salad, Hoi-Sin Sauce

Soup of the Day 4.50

(GF)

Salads

Honey Roast Ham 11.25

Cajun Potatoes, Tossed Salad,

Creamy Arran Mustard Dressing

Smoked Chicken or Roast Salmon 12.25

Baby Gem Lettuce, Parmesan, Herb Croutons,

Pancetta, Creamy Caesar Dressing

Roast Beef Salad 13.25

Cajun Potatoes, Tossed Salad,

Horseradish Dressing

Mains

Battered Mallaig Haddock 11.95

Salad, Tartare Sauce, Chips

Fillet of Sea Bream 13.95

Sautéed Potatoes, Chorizo Sausage,

Green Beans, Spinach, Tomato Basil Salsa

Roast Fillet of Scottish Salmon 13.95

Fettuccini, Smoked Haddock Mussel Sauce

The Lovat Beef Burger 11.95

Flour Bap, Spiced Tomato Chutney,

Coleslaw, Tossed Salad, Chips

Breast of Chicken 13.95

Wilted Spinach, Dauphinoise Potatoes, (GF)

Wild Mushroom Jus

Roast Fillet of Pork 13.95

Creamed Leeks, Potato Rösti, (GF)

Arran Mustard Jus

8oz Scottish Rib-Eye 18.95

Roast Tomato, Mushrooms, (GF)

Lyonnaise Potatoes, Garlic Butter, Green Beans,

Green Peppercorn Sauce 1.50

Timbale of Courgette 10.95

Roast Peppers, Brie, Potato Gnocchi, (V)

Wild Mushroom Ragout

Broccoli & Red Onion Risotto 10.95

Spring Onion, Parmesan, Pesto Oil (V) (GF)

Desserts

Assiette of Petits Puddings 6.50

Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Sauce

Raspberry Crème Brulée

Lemon Tart

Bailey’s Bread & Butter Pudding 5.50

Toffee Sauce, Bailey’s Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse 5.50

Milk Chocolate Ice Cream, (GF)

White Chocolate Sauce

Glazed Lemon Orange Tart 5.50

Passion Fruit Sorbet, Sauce Anglaise

Scottish Cheeses 7.50

Biscuits, Grape Chutney, Celery

Selection of in-house Ice Cream 5.25

(GF)