Up for a challenge...

In 2006, we were honoured to host Michael's stay at the Lovat when he came over from America to set the world record for paddling Loch Ness...he achieved this in a record 5 hours, 47 minutes & 30 seconds.

We now have someone else coming to stay at the hotel who is going to swim Loch Ness but this time it is not for a world record...it is just for fun!

Jaime, from Spain, is an amateur long distance swimmer and has already swum: the English Channel; Gibraltar; NYCSwim 2010 - to name a few. What was missing in his growing album, was Loch Ness. He is also hoping that Nessie will make a friendly appearance!

He swims for a foundation called "Siempre Adelante" to raise money for people that suffer Latheral Amiotrophic Sclerosis. His slogan is "nado porque puedo y para los que no pueden", that means more or less: "I swim because I am able to do it as well as I do it for people that are not as lucky as me".

Is anyone else planning on a challenge across Loch Ness? Maybe you even want to beat Michael's world record? If so, get in touch - the hotel will offer you accommodation throughout the challenge which will be complimentary based on you beating the record.

On our doorstep...

...it is so easy to forget what is so close to home as you work with your head down, all consumed by the 'busy-ness' of life.

Take time to...

'Stop,
Look &
Listen'

...not for the green man but for you. Discover what is on your doorstep & enjoy it!

Visit the Highlands

Once a winner...

Launch Events 2011

The 2011 Vision in Business for the Environment of Scotland Awards (VIBES) is now in its twelfth year & aims to recognise businesses of all sizes & sectors employing environmental best practice in their daily activity to cut down on resource use, increase sustainability, improve reputation & benefit their company’s bottom-line.

This year’s awards will launch through a series of free events across the country in May. The launch events are being hosted by previous VIBES winners - the Lovat being one...so that you can see the work that we carried out in order to win an award & to understand the benefits it has had to the company.

Businesses will be able to find out more information about how the awards work and meet some of the VIBES steering group who will be on hand to answer any questions.

It's also an opportunity to network with businesses over a glass of wine & to be inspired by the great work that our previous VIBES winners have done to make their business as green as possible!

The Lovat, Fort Augustus, Inverness-Shire, PH32 4DU.
Tuesday 10th May 2011
4-6pm

To book your place please email vibes@sepa.org.uk

Pine 'Munching'

Ah ha!

Caught in action...the Torridon Pine Martin caught 'nearly' midnight feasting at Coire Roill Lodge...

In the Training...

Sunday's Inverness Half Marathon thankfully went ahead despite the possibility of a snow cancellation.

The weather was a little damp, cold & windy but nothing to worry about.

The Vienna marathon is getting closer, 17th April 2011 so this half marathon was part of the training.

1 hour, 40 mins, 51 secs

A traveller's findings...

A recent guest has kindly offered us his travelling notes.

Back in 2001 he toured Scotland with his friend & stumbled upon our hotel & village. This is what they said back then!

• Fort Augustus
• The then Lovat Arms

Email us on info@thelovat.com with your past stories, renditions, recollections & memories.

Hideaway but we aren't hiding

The Lovat has been honoured by Petra magazine in Germany as 1 of top 8 hotels worldwide to hideaway to chill out after a long winter...so - book your holiday now & kick back & relax with us, here at Loch Ness.

Pride & Projection!

The Lovat team certainly did Rabbie proud on 25th January 2011.
















Considering the cancellation of the 2010 celebrations due to bad weather, the organisation for 2011 started with a little trepidation....we need not have feared!

With bookings flying in, even until the very last hour, all 44 guests were welcomed with open arms to the Lovat's second exceptionally successful celebration of Burns' life, love, lifestyle & literature.

Highland music was provided by 4 talented musicians, adding some background ambience to balance the tasty supper & the switched on staff.

Julia again put her creative hands to work on the tartan clad decorations, while Neil whipped of his troosers & donned a kilt for the evening. The 'Chieftain o' the Pudding Race' was staggered into the Dining Room to the sound of 'A Man's a Man' - was cleverly Addressed & then washed down with a whisky nip.





















To make sure that the event 'went' as it should, Rabbie watched over the gathering from his aloof yet approving projection on the wall.



Roll on 2012!

Panama...Hats off!

D&G are cruising the Panama Canal throughout December, missing the big freeze & enjoying the sunshine with David's 91 year yound mother!

They are celebrating both David's 69th Birthday as well as their 41st Wedding anniversary.

We look forward to their return just before Christmas.

Loch Ness Trail

Voluntary Payback Scheme Update from Destination Loch Ness

















Thank you all for your contributions.

Since the scheme was launched in December last year participating members have now raised almost £600.

All monies to date are going towards interpretation on the South Loch Ness Trail Project (Update attached for your information). When the Trail is officially launched early summer next year, all participating members of the Scheme will receive acknowledgement of their contribution in publicity material for the trail.

We hope in due course to make contributions to other environmental projects around the loch but until we have more DLN members participating in the scheme, this is unlikely. So please, if you know someone whose business could be part of the Scheme we would appreciate some gentle persuasion! As we are all aware, visitors are more than happy to make a contribution.