BEP Case Study

The Lovat Arms, Fort Augustus is a family run hotel with 29 bedrooms that offers a high class of comfort in traditional Victorian surroundings. The hotel employs about 15 full time staff. As part of a refurbishment of the hotel the owners sought to implement measures to improve the energy efficiency of the hotel. Including these measures has significantly reduced operating costs and reduced carbon emissions from the business. The hotel has estimated that it has reduced energy costs by about £2,000 and anticipates that annual energy savings will be in the region of £10,000.

Following advice from the Energy Savings Trust, the hotel installed a fully automated biomass heating system fuelled with wood chips. The installation of the heating system was supported with funding from the Scottish Biomass Support Scheme, and interest free loan from Loan Action Scotland and Highlands & Islands Enterprise. The woodchips supply heat at a more favourable cost than conventional heating fuels and support a local wood chip supply company. The heating system is controlled individually in each room. In unoccupied rooms temperature is controlled at 12 C which rapidly rises to 19 C when guests check into the hotel. Room temperature can be flexibly controlled to ensure that the comfort of guests and energy efficiency are met at all times.

Energy efficient lighting is installed throughout the hotel. In corridors this is controlled with
motion activated sensors. This has reduced the time that lighting is left on when not required,
electricity consumption, costs and carbon emissions.

Commenting on the environmental initiatives at the Lovat Arms Caroline Gregory, hotel manager said:

“What I have done at the hotel feels natural to me – this is not an exercise I am just trying out because it is a trend…. I have been passionate about the environment for years and having the hotel is an added bonus because I can pass on the benefits of what we are doing and in turn what
they are able to do. I have scary moments of what the planet could be like in a few years time and this has made me act. I am aware that the environmental performance of the hotel could be improved further, however we have made a start on this process and intend to continue”.

http://www.highlandwoodenergy.co.uk/pdf/Spring-07-Newsletter.pdf

Spean Bridge - Glasgow

When personal time is limited - it becomes the most precious commodity in ones life.
It was therefore with eager anticipation I embarked on a 3.5 hour train journey from Spean Bridge to Glasgow for a two day break. This would not only avoid the trauma of driving the A82 but also the mysteries of Glasgow City centre's traffic system.
Leaving the car safely beside the golf course at Spean Bridge the train duly arrived on time and my pre booked seat awaited me.
From the outset I was enthralled by the myriad of colours which greeted me at every turn. A natural palette of greens, yellow, red & russet, just breathtaking.
No wonder the programme 'Monarch of the Glen' was enjoyed by so many, as the train passed by the countless scenes it had portrayed .
So the journey continued, disgorging passengers at pristine white clad halts in the middle of nowhere so they could carry on the Great Glen Way by foot. like thousands of others before them.
Crossing Rannoch Moor was particularly poignant with the haunting echoing silence of passed battles in ones mind.
My reading matter remained untouched during the journey and arriving at Glasgow Train Station it was with dawning realization I would be returning exactly the same way. I could hardly wait!!

Perfect Picture

This picture, taken by a guest from the Fort Augustus Abbey tower illustrates beautifully the seasonal transition experienced around the hotel - just look at the Autumnal colours breaking through! There is certainly more to come as we creep through the month, getting closer to those bitter Winter months.

October has started with a bang - a Wedding Celebration for 40 guests, an 80th Birthday Party, local meetings & sessions as well as a steady influx of families & travellers taking advantage of some milder weather during the half term. Only just over half way through the month & there is still more to come - what with an annual corporate conference & of course the fun 'Wear it Pink' Playboy Party & 'Wear it Pink' Dinner Party to raise money for Breast Cancer Research.

October has seen the launch of our Golden Autumn offer of 'stay for 3 nights, pay for 2', including Dinner Bed & Breakfast from £399.00 per stay. Dine Around is now available, offering the chance to indulge in a 3 course evening meal for a favourable £25.00 per person.

October is proving to be a month of intrigue & surprise with us being busier than anticipated. More staff have been employed to handle the steady growth of the business - who knows what November will hold?!

October Drawing Closer...

Where has the last month gone? Actually, where has the year gone - it will soon be 2008! But...let us not detract from the reality that we still have 3 full months to complete before we get into the realms of New Year promises & resolutions. With this in mind & rather than wait until December, our focus is on a month of giving - bringing the festive spirit forward into Autumnal action.

Visitors can benefit from some added value with the Lovat offering a Deluxe (£399) or Master (£498) Bedroom, 3 nights for the price of 2, Dinner Bed & Breakfast - http://www.lovatarms-hotel.com/.

The Pink Party is also proving popular with only 11 remaining tickets to be snapped up. The Lovat will be wearing it pink over Friday, 26th & Saturday, 27th October 2007, to raise money for the Breast Cancer Campaign. The Friday is more of a fun night for the community as anyone can come along, paying just £2.00 entry for music, fancy dress & dancing. The Saturday however, is a pre-booked ticketed event offering a complete party package - champagne, canapés, gourmet dinner, wine tasting, singing, dancing, entertainment, casino tables, games & fireworks. This is a showcase event, with the main push for Saturday, 25th October 2008. Plans include a marquee on the lawn, 120 guests, Eden Court Bugsy Malone stage-show, music, dancing & Head Chef, Paul Devonshire, from Gleneagles' Strathearn Restaurant has confirmed his attendance to cook at the event.

Suppliers' & associates' generosity towards this & the next event has been exhausting. I have been bowled over by everyone's kindness & positive attitude in getting involved in raising money for what is an exceptionally good cause, that has affected so many people, either first, second or third hand. A huge, 'Thank You', collective hug & thumbs up, goes to all those donating gifts, produce & props as well as even hand making some pink items specifically for the event. I cannot thank everyone enough, instead we will all have to have such a sensational celebration to balance this good will!

As a final note - if anyone is venturing up to Loch Ness - bring your Winter woolies - the crisp chill has arrived but to counter this, the log fire is burning as I type. O' to a dram or cup of tea as you warm your cockles & toast your feet!

Some September Sun

Who would believe that we are only now getting some proper glowing sunlight through the windows. Sadly we don't see too much of it being so busy but at least it keeps the guests happy & also shows visitors that it doesn't always rain in Scotland!