Loving it at the Lovat

The Queen & I!

2009-06-29T20:18:00.004+01:00

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!

Rising Star 2009

2009-06-08T09:34:00.002+01:00

The Insider, May 2009

Caroline Gregory (29), Managing partner, Lovat Arms

Gregory's parents David and Geraldine used to run the celebrated Torridon Hotel inWester Ross and when they retired bought the Lovat Arms by Loch Ness as a"hobby". But Gregory is very much in charge and ambitious to roll out the Lovat brand worldwide. Despite initially planning to avoid working in the hotel industry Gregory did a degree in Law and Business Management at the University of Glasgow then globe-trotted for a year before working in London doing various jobs. She returned to Scotland in 2005 to run the hotel which has been relaunched after major refurbishment. She oversees a team of 25 in the high season and is not afraid to muck in and do the washing up.

What do you think/hope will be greatest innovation of next 25 years?

"A corporate cultural revolution."

What you think & say...

2009-06-05T19:04:00.004+01:00

The following data has evolved from 332 responses over the past 6 months. The hotel has undergone a few changes in terms of staff make-up & culture but what has remained constant is our attention to respond to customer feedback to improve on our service delivery.

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%	0.3%

Overall, your expectations were...

Your conclusion


	Of course	Probably	Not sure	Dream on
Would you come back?	84.4%	14.1%	1.1%	0.4%
Would you recommend us?	91.1%	7.7%	0.8%	0.4%

Percent

Exceeded

62.7%

Matched

32.7%

Kind of matched

3.8%

Barely matched

0.4%

Certainly not matched

0.4%

Lovat's Love...

2009-06-04T01:07:00.005+01:00

not lost -
it lingers...

Geraldine she is our Queen, a busy little bee,
she is always drinking nectar from the Lovat tree.
And from our hearts, we want to say, 'we love you very much' so Mother hen, you know us all we are your little clutch!

David, 'You the Man!' we're at your beck & call,
you make us laugh,
you make us cry,
you're just a brick in the wall.

And brick by brick,
you all built this place
you know our thoughts,
you know our face
respect to you,
we all do see
you are the base of the Lovat tree!

And now we come to the best of all,
The one who's at our beck & call
& all in all, we all agree
with Mum & David some pedigree!

We're here for you & here to stay,
we just love, the Lovat way!
From all your staff,
from our hearts another 4 years,
always a smile,
& maybe some tears.

Come home to the Lovat
we're honest & true,
it's meant from the heart, 'we'll be there for you!'

Happy Anniversary Guys
We all Love you!

John Frost
June 2009

4 years on...

2009-06-03T23:44:00.008+01:00

& still loving it!

Honestly, it is not often that I am lost for words but - yes, the guys, really got me good today.

It was G's little tears that started me off & then the emotions just kept on coming. I guess it was the fact & the realisation that I truly am working with an incredible bunch of people.

G said, that never in her whole 30 years of hospitality has she ever experienced anything quite like this.

On 3rd June 2005, DG & myself took over the Lovat, Loch Ness. To mark the anniversary, the staff all hid in the Dining Room on 3rd June 2009.

I was led into the Dining Room along with DG. We were greeted with cheers, balloons & smiles.

If this wasn't enough - John made me even more proud as he read his poem.

We were presented with presents & a cake to mark the occasion. Lesley had gone to so much trouble, getting 'Still Loving it at the Lovat ' bags & chocolates. The attention, thought, preparation & care gone into the whole planning & detail was & still is, mind blowing.

This was all too much for me as I was overwhelmed with gratitude, warmth & complete awe. I work with these people, they work with me & we all work together. The hotel has gone through such a transformation - it could not have been possible without all of us put together & a day like today, shows that the hotel has never been so strong.

Loving it at the Lovat has never meant so much nor been so true.

Revenge will be so sweet...!

2009-06-03T23:23:00.004+01:00

I think Colin's facial expressions say it all - "...just you wait!"

Colin was unable to escape the Housekeeping Department's gunge mixture of kitchen goodies!

Yes - flour, egg & water...on the clothes & in the hair!

Colin's disbelief that he actually had to give in!

Anyone for cricket?

2009-06-03T23:14:00.002+01:00

South African, Jacques has submerged himself in part of the Fort Augustus life style.

Congratulations go to him for being selected for the local cricket team.

A new cricket Captain in our midst?

Body Sense

2009-06-02T14:40:00.000+01:00

Elaine Minshull

Relax & Unwind – You Deserve it!

The Lovat offers Swedish & Indian Head Massage

SWEDISH MASSAGE - the widely therapeutic action of massage springs from the fact that most ill health is caused due to long term stress & anxiety which in turn leads to tight muscles, bad postural habits &, in the end, physiological problems.

Numerous benefits of massage include: relief of muscular spasms & pains, e.g. back ache, better joint mobility, improvement of blood & lymph circulation & detoxification.
Massage also releases endorphins, the body’s 'feel good' hormones, giving an instant sensation of well-being.

Full Body Massage – Treatment time offered 1hr also 40mins

INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE - is an extremely effective therapy for working on tension in the back, neck & scalp.

The massage works on these areas of the body, especially the neck & shoulders where stress affects major muscle groups, & it often brings immediate relief.

The treatment involves massage through the clothes in a seated position.
Oils are available if preferred

Treatment time 30 – 40mins

Appointments are by advanced bookings, which can be made at Reception

Roughly £35.00 per session
01320 351283
Elaine.minshull@tiscali.co.uk

Love your Massage at the Lovat!

Lovat Poet

2009-06-01T12:31:00.002+01:00

Stress...

is very bad for you

it happens to us all,

forgive one another

if you shout & ball.

The way to solve a problem

is with a great smile,

the stress will only last then

for a little while

"love you all"

John Frost

May 2009

I feel SLOVEnia

2009-05-30T16:05:00.002+01:00

A few snap shots from my trip to Slovenia to assist in setting up GTBS for the country

What a place...

Sample Restaurant Menu

2009-05-30T16:01:00.001+01:00

Soup of the Day

Pan Fried Hand Dived Scallop & Pork Belly
Cauliflower Purée, Pea Foam

Letterfinlay Smoked Salmon
Caper Berries & Lemon

Goat’s Cheese Salad
Candied Walnut & Asparagus Salad, Port Syrup

Rabbit Terrine
Port Jelly, Peach Chutney

~~~~

Sorbet

~~~~

Roast Loin of Spring Lamb
Sautéed Spinach, Dauphinoise Potatoes, Smoked Garlic Jus

Pan Fried Fillet of Wild Sea Trout
Potato & Pancetta Compote, West Coast Langoustine, Shellfish Foam

A Ragout of Broccoli & Mushrooms
Potato Gnocchi Pesto Cream, Rocket, Cherry Tomato Salad

Duo of Highland Beef
Braised Beef Shin & Pan Roast Sirloin
Mushroom Truffle Cream, Fondant Potato, Roast Jus

~~~~

Assiette of Petits Puddings
Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Sauce
Lemon Posset
Peach Ginger Parfait

Selection of Scottish Cheese
Dunsyre Blue, Strathdon Blue, Aiket Brie, Clava Brie, Mull of Kintyre Cheddar
Biscuits, Grape Chutney, Celery

Dark Chocolate Tia Maria Tart
Sauce Anglaise, Cherry Ice Cream

Duo of Pudding
Strawberry Cheesecake, Cherry Crème Brulée

~~~~

Tea or Coffee
Petits Fours

As they say on 'Soccer AM'...

2009-05-30T15:48:00.003+01:00

...."Sunshinnnnnne!"

Comment just in...

2009-05-15T13:34:00.001+01:00

"We had a fabulous time - and glorious blue skies as well. Hotel was lovely, food was fantastic and room was excellent. All good value - we did not want to come home!!"
.......................................................................................

Louise Sutherland

The legend lives on...!

2009-05-11T09:58:00.003+01:00

Mention 'Legend' when booking on-line & you will be in for a surprise!

Whole load of bull...

2009-05-07T12:38:00.002+01:00

All guests accepted...well as long as they are contained!

(Black Bull, on his way to service the Torridon lassies)

Speechless...

2009-05-05T07:51:00.000+01:00

Dear Caroline.

Thank you so much for the awesome hospitality you granted with such a big smile to all of us. I really enjoyed the stay so much. I have been to many hotels around the world but the service you gave us was inspired with so much commitment that this was a very special experience.

You and your team created such a great atmosphere.

The beating heart on your website and the ethos you work with is symbolic for what happened to me/us at your hotel:

that certain night at your place on the shores of Loch Ness I found my love of a lifetime and therefore will always associate your place with my very best memories.

That love will bring us back to you one day - either by bike, or helicopter or wedding carriage - looking forward to seeing you again.

Very best regards

Jan-Uwe Burmester ( & Christine Stingl)

Product Manager

ASI Wirklich Reisen

Lovat Lawn

2009-04-27T17:23:00.004+01:00

Basque Highland Game s on the Lovat Lawn as part of the Highland Homecoming 2009

Monday, 20th July 2009

Music, dancing & games to keep you entertained

Come along for some fun!

More details to follow as the event unfolds...

Whisky Galore

2009-04-25T16:10:00.003+01:00

Join us at the Lovat, Loch Ness
on Thursday, 18th June 2009
for a classic Whisky tour of Scotland

Savouries & Whisky to match

6:00pm - 7:00pm

£15.00 per person

Pre-book a table for dinner & choose a complimentary Whisky to accompany your meal

Contact us on 0845 4501100 to book your place

Patch...

2009-04-19T15:58:00.006+01:00

...the Lovat Puppy!!!

(Lesley creation)

Restaurant Menu 2009 (sample)

2009-04-17T07:11:00.004+01:00

Soup of the Day

Trio of Seafood

Seared Scallops, Tempura Kings Prawns, Pan-Fried Sardines,

Green Bean Salad, Pineapple Salsa

Letterfinlay Smoked Salmon

Caper Berries & Lemon

Strathdon Blue Cheese

Apple Purée, Toasted Nut Bread, Port Syrup

Roast Breast of Pigeon

Red Cabbage Tart, Apricot Chutney, Roast Jus

~~~~

Sorbet

~~~~

Duo of Highland Beef

Braised Beef Shin, Pan Roast Sirloin,

Roast Potatoes, Tarragon Jus

Fillet of Monkfish wrapped in Pancetta

Crushed Potatoes, Smoked Salmon Tortellini, Pea Foam

Leek, Sun-Blushed Tomato & Isle of Mull Cheddar Tart

Rocket, Cherry Tomato, Bean Salad, Arran Mustard Cream Dressing

Roast Loin of Lamb

Dauphinoise Potatoes, Spinach Fennel Salad, Redcurrant Port Jus

~~~~

Assiette of Petite Puddings

Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Sauce

Dalwhinnie Whisky Crème Brulée

Vanilla Pannacotta, Passion Fruit Syrup

Selection of Scottish Cheese

Dunsyre Blue, Strathdon Blue, Morangie Brie, Clava Brie, Mull of Kintyre Cheddar

Biscuits, Grape Chutney, Celery

In-House Ice Cream

Whisky Ginger, Chocolate Tia Maria, Honey & Almond

Glazed Lemon Tart

Passion Fruit Sorbet

Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse

Chocolate Tia Maria Ice Cream, Sauce Anglaise

~~~~

Tea or Coffee

Fudge

£35.00 per person

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Tuesday - Saturday

New Start...

2009-04-17T07:05:00.004+01:00

What with spring in full swing, the Lovat is looking forward to a bright new future.

The Drawing Room is now open as a Restaurant, Tuesday - Saturday.

Lovat Lambs

2009-04-16T11:47:00.002+01:00

What are they thinking?

Give us a clue & you could win a prize!

Hoppy Easter...

2009-04-12T06:50:00.002+01:00

...from all at the Lovat, Loch Ness

Lovat Love

2009-04-08T07:01:00.003+01:00

Lesley, our Head Housekeeping, is taking linen to a whole new level!

Loving it at the Lovat is being revamped, with the addition of elephants for the children & swans for those happy couples!

Good on you Lesley - they all love it!

LOVING IT...

2009-04-05T11:33:00.004+01:00

...at the Lovat.

Share the love - staff can reward each other with hearts, 10 hearts mean a treat for all the department.

Share the love - guests can write a comment on Tripadvisor, any comment means a treat for them too!

59 reviews so far - let's get it to 100 by June 2009 - think with your heart, think with your mind then think with your feet - & get yourself here!

Kick back & relax...at the Lovat