Archive for November, 2010

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North bars join forces in new quality scheme

Monday, November 29th, 2010

Four favourite drinking places in trade sign-up
Press & Journal: By Rita Campbell
Published: 29/11/2010

Four Inverness-shire venues are among the first to join a new quality scheme designed to highlight and promote good bars, pubs and inns across Scotland.

The Best Bars scheme is part of a new partnership, which is placing Scotland’s pubs and bars at the heart of the tourism industry.

VisitScotland and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) have joined forces to drive up standards and encourage even more visitors to enjoy Scotland’s establishments.

The Benleva Hotel, Drumnadrochit, and the Heathmount Hotel in Inverness are among the first members.

Other city businesses which have received the “Best Bars” accolade are Johnny Foxes and Clachnaharry Inn.


The scheme, which has been developed in partnership with the industry including several SLTA members, sees bars being assessed through an incognito visit by one of VisitScotland’s quality advisors. The assessment looks at factors from ambience and service to how the business encourages responsible drinking

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland’s licensed trade plays a crucial part of our tourism offering. Tourism brings a revenue of £4billion and supports 200,000 jobs. One pound in every £5 spent by a visitor in Scotland is on food and drink-related activities, therefore, it makes sense that the two industries work closely together.”

Scott Armstrong, VisitScotland’s regional director for the Highlands, said: “Pubs and bars are very important for visitors and it is fantastic to see these local businesses among the first to be recognised by the Best Bars scheme. Locally sourced food, knowledgeable staff and a focus on providing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere all make a difference to a visitor’s experience.

“Already one-fifth of the amount that visitors spend in Scotland is on food and drink and there is real potential for us to increase that.

“Our partnership with SLTA is a major step towards driving up standards even further and encouraging more visitors to enjoy our highest-quality pubs and bars.”

Read more: http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2029949#ixzz16fIGel8F

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Minister Visits Loch Ness RNLI Station

Sunday, November 28th, 2010

Minister treasures RNLI’s work
Date: 27/11/2010
Author: Vivian Bailey, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer

The Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP with Loch Ness RLNI Volunteers

(Photo Credit RNLI/Linda Ross)

The Rt Hon Danny Alexander MP braved snowy conditions to pay a visit to the volunteers at Loch Ness RNLI lifeboat station.

The former Lochaber High School pupil is familiar with the changeable local conditions and talked of his experiences of sailing on Loch Linnhe and swimming in Loch Garry as a youth.

Danny, local MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, was welcomed by shore crew Linda Ross, and briefed on the varied outreach work of the RNLI.

He paid tribute to the work of the volunteer crew, showing a keen interest in the charity’s continuous training programme in which all crew take part, and the equipment used on the Loch – particularly the chocolate supply in one of the emergency ‘grab bags’.

He commented positively on the work that Lifeboat Sea Safety Officer and Crew Member Howie Whyte does in promoting safety awareness to all water users.

The Minister commented: ‘I can see that this is a real benefit to your community.’

Howie is also one of five RNLI flood rescue specialists at Loch Ness. Danny was impressed by the extent of the RNLI’s involvement in flood rescue, locally, nationally and internationally.

After a tour of the lifeboat station, Mr Alexander was shown how the station’s Atlantic 75 lifeboat, B707 Mercurius, is launched, and Crew Member Martin Douglas explained how shore crew and fundraising volunteers play a vital part in RNLI rescue operations.

* For further information, please contact Vivian Bailey, Crew Member and RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on 07951 838885 or vivianbailey17@googlemail.com
* Or Crew Member Martin Douglas on 07788 414254 or martindouglas147@gmail.com
* Loch Ness is the RNLI’s only inland lifeboat station in Scotland

Posted in Blether, Loch Ness Area News, News from Loch Ness | Comments Off

Loch Ness monster: new pictures and sighting of Nessie

Saturday, November 27th, 2010

The legend of the Loch Ness monster is alive again after a mysterious shape was caught on camera.

STV By Shiona McCallum
26 November 2010 10:57 GMT

The legend of Nessie has resurfaced with a new sighting and pictures of the Loch Ness monster.

Richard Preston, a landscape designer, has been the latest person to spot a mysterious shape that might be the Loch Ness monster and capture a series of images on camera.

While working on Aldourie Castle gardens on the banks of the Loch Ness, 27-year-old Mr Preston spotted a shape on the loch’s surface out of the corner of his eye.

He told STV News: “I was just walking through the castle gardens and I spotted something in the distance. When I looked closer I could clearly see the four hump-like features. I thought I’d take a picture of it, to see if there was anything in it, to see what others thought.

“I was surprised that it stayed there as long as it did. I took various shots of it before it suddenly disappeared. I literally just turned my back and it was gone.”

He showed one of his friends who was also convinced there was certainly some mystery in the pictures.

When asked whether or not he believed in the monster, Mr Preston said: “Well there’s definitely something in the myth.There were no ripples in the water, no boats, nothing around. I have no idea what it was, but it undoubtedly looks like Nessie.”

The latest sighting has brought hope to monster enthusiasts, as it had been a relatively quiet spell for spotting any activity in the Loch. Fears had been mounting that Nessie might be dead since reports of any sightings had been diminishing.

In July 1930, three people in a boat at the north end of the loch saw a 6m long hump-like shape travelling fast through the water. In April 1933, Aldie Mackay saw a violent disturbance in the water and a hump “like that of a whale” while driving along the north side of the loch.

Nessie? Taken from the banks of Loch Ness Pic: © Richard Preston

Original story here

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