Mmmmm Marmalade!

Business profile of Caroline Gregory as the Environmental Business Driver for the North of Scotland in her Loch Ness hotel. The Press & Journal completed a great article on the Lovat, followed by an insightful Q & A session!

Marmalade I hear you say?

Well - Paddington Bear loved his marmalade sandwiches!

The Queen & I!

So - it is official - I met the Queen!

I feel honoured to have been invited to the Royal opening of the Glendoe project, as hosted by SSE today, Monday, 29th June 2009.

50 guests were invited to the ceremony, which also included a tour of the dam & underground action.

SSE has provided the Lovat, Loch Ness, with the off-season boost & support it needed - but the relationship has been one of mutual friendship, built solidly over the past 4 years. SSE staff have returned with their families & wives, making us realise that staying here was not just part of the job.

The day was truly warming & I am delighted to have been a part of this special occasion.

Thank you to Ian Marchant & Susan Braid who made it possible for me to chat with the Queen & even offer her a special rate to stay at the Lovat, if she found herself passing in the future!

Feel the VIBES!

Yipppeeee - we won the small business management award for our Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland.

Thank you to both Forward Scotland & SEPA who highlighted me to the main judging panel, as a winner.

3 girls...1 aim...

At the recent awards ceremony - the Lovat girls showed that you can be young, hip & trendy whilst still being resourceful & energy efficient!

Lesley, the Lovat's Head Housekeeper (left) & Ailsa, the Lovat's Front of House Supervisor (right) joined CG (middle) to celebrate at the SCDI award ceremony.

Lesley is heavily involved in the environmental success of the hotel with micro-fibre cloths being used in the bedrooms & bathrooms, 100% recycled Nouvelle toilet paper, 100% recycled Cottonsoft facial tissues, 100% recycled Elliepoo notepad paper, Ecover Professional toilet & bathroom cleaner, energy lamps are in use as well as recycled video cassette pencils & rubber tyre coasters. TVs are now switched off on a guest's departure to reduce the use of electricity when on standby. Other creative practices & procedures are also on the go - so thanks go to Lesley for her proactive & resourceful efforts.

Ailsa assists in the recycling & composting procedures as well as keeping waste to a minimum.

CG is actively looking at ways of reducing the staff, hotel & guest's environmental footprint - whether through an acute policy &/or bio-diversity plan. More is to come but the process if on-going & a challenge in itself.

3 girls...1 environmental aim!

Shell Shocked!

Caroline picked up her recent award that was presented by James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK.

She even had a photo in the Inverness Courier, Tuesday, 23rd September 2008.

Lovat Girls Soak Up Success

Friday, 19th September 2008, saw the Lovat Girls enjoy their environmental success at the SCDI event held at the Newton Hotel in Nairn.

The occasion was a chance to dress up, relax & enjoy each others company whilst also being recognised by the industry for all our efforts in trying to reduce our environmental impact.

The award was warmly presented by James Smith, Chairman of Shell UK & his insighful speech captured all of our attention. To follow the meal & bottles of wine, we were entertained by the Dead Ringers comedian actor, Jon Culshaw - what a laugh!

Thankfully there was no acceptance speech required but it was made known to our hosting table, Envirowse, the extent of our gratitude at being offered such prestigious recognition.

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.

OFFICIALLY A NUTTER!

I have just returned from a 2 day event in Oxford to receive my Acorn award. This is offered by the Hotel & Caterer to those under 30, within the industry who are deemed as 'young guns'. Those who have already made their mark & will continue to do so in the years to come.

I feel honoured to have been nominated by Marina Huggett as well as awarded such an accolade.

Thank You for this recognition!

More details on the winner's website

Awards...in the running!

Come on & Challenge us!

Lovat Arms has been short listed for the 'Rising Star Small Hotel 2008' Award, as categorised by Hotel Review Scotland. If you think we are worthy of such an award then why not vote?!

http://www.scottishhotelsoftheyear.com/vote.form.asp



The Selkirk Arms Hotel, Kirkcudbright
Taychreggan Hotel Dundee, Dundee
Salisbury Hotel, Edinburgh
An Lochan - Tormaukin, Glendevon, near Gleneagles
Craigdarroch House Hotel, Foyers, by Loch Ness
Duisdale Hotel, Sleat, Isle of Skye
The Townhouse, Melrose
Ravenscourt House Hotel, Grantown on Spey
Lovat Arms Hotel, Fort Augustus, by Loch Ness
Tongue Hotel, Tongue
Knockderry House Hotel, Cove by Helensburgh