Eriska, Scottish Island

House dog??

As I was walking through the hall yesterday a guest met me looking like they were about to set off to conquer the north pole. Dressed in full waterproof outfits with wellington boots in hand they seemed prepared for all eventualities. So as I set about wishing them well on their expedition they inquired if they could borrow the "House Dog". I was caught rather off guard and began to investigate further. The previous day thay had been talking to one of the team about walking on Eriska and had discussed different routes and tracks and in the conversation they had been told that many of the guests are accompoanied by their own pets when they visit Eriska as it is a wonderful place for a dog with lots of tracks and trails, scents and smells for them to investigate.

So enthused by the conversation they decided to go out for a walk after tea and dropped into the office to collect a map and in the conversation asked about dog walking, They were enquiring if there was a dog to walk and the office team thought they were asking if it was Ok to walk their dog on the isalnd. All parted blissfully unaware of the two sided discussion and as if by magic as they left the house on their great expedition they met a large brown labrador, Dibley, who had decided his walk with me was not sufficient so had extended his own walk and then when he felt he had gone far enough had made his way back to the main house in search of me and possible a lift home.

However the guests believed he had been arranged by the office staff and  as planned set off with Dibley for yet another walk. When they returned they parted company at the door and told the office that the had left the dog outside as he was wet. The girls thought nothing of it and when I next walked past the door and noticed the two eyes looking through the window thought this was Dibleys first arrival and took him home. All seemed happy- Dibley had had a nice long walk, the guests had appreciated the effort of the team to make them feel welcome even arranging a walking companion and I had returned Dibley to my house and dried him before Seona had even noticed he was missing!

Sometimes a misunderstanding is a fiortuneate thing and it can all tunr out for the best- But just sometimes!!

Another budget, another day!!

For about the fifth time in a month I have had to sit down andrewrite the budget for the next year. One side of me watches the television coverage and leaves depressed, the otehr side of me is eternally optimistic, one side of me listens to the doom and gloom of my fellow directors of Pride of Britain nd the other looks in our dining room and sees it full of people enjoying althat we offer.

Today however was a day for realism and despite the terrible results at RBS that realism has to include the fact that life goes on and if we continue to offer value for money people will continue to visit us. Anyway the budget is now set, thats not saying we cannot review it in another month but at least Chay and Rowena now have budgets to work with or at least try to work with as I did check that they felt I was being realistic with the targets!

So now its back onto the shop floor and to see how we can make it work, the first task is to look after the guest we have  and the second is to try and encourage more to visit us who have not been here before. It all seems so simple, if only that were the case!!!

West Coast Culture

Just over a year ago a group of whisky distillery marketers, tourism businesses and historical sites got together and put together a proposal to hold a festival in May at Inverarary Castle. In truth their was only a slim chance of the concept being first accepted by those needed to make it work and secondly being able to secure funding and the necessary backing to make it work and underwright the event. However as is often the case with such wild ideas, the spirit and enthusiasm helps move the idea off the drawing board and this week we held the third briefing on progress and it was a chance to see how the idea had progressed and more importantly to help see how much further we had to go and the list of tasks still required to be completed before we opened the gates on the 16^th May.

In truth those working behind the scenes have achieved a great deal and with all the individual sections carrying on on their own they have all made huge leaps and bounds since before Christmas, I missed a meeting due to being in the States. It’s also amazing to see how the initial dreams are changing into reality and how plans and timetables put in place last year are now in full swing and all the organisation is now paying off. So now we have a “Spirit of the West” event and date and although we will have no doubt a rush to prepare for the event the excitement and anticipation will, I am sure make certain we are ready- or at least nearly ready.

The event will have various sections representing the areas of the west, from a Dram tent with whisky tasting and master classes, to  a history area with culture and arts, geneology, food and drink with cookery demonstrations, even Robert has agreed to a class, and lots of activities for families. Plans have been made for sunny hot weather whilst at the same time considerations made for a dreadful wet event and experiences from previous events and the knowledge of those who carry out these sort of activities on a weekly basis will be combined with some new ideas and concepts. The acceptance that as it will be the frst event of its kind some things may not go as planned is more realistic than negative and will we hope mean that we are at least ready for other eventualities.

So now it is back to work helping to whip up enthusiasm from those taking part and trying to build interest from others who would enjoy the event.

Weather w/c 22nd February

As a guide, my parents always used to go on holiday overseas in FFebruary, ffirstly because it was their last chance of a good break before they started gearing up for the newseason at Eriska which began at Easter and latterly because my father believed the weather in February was the worst of the year with howling gales and rain. However it just shows how times have changed or how they must have been out of the country for the month and never really know what the weather was like in Februray.

This year at Eriska has been similar to most others with a combination of rain and cloud but also interspersed with colder frostier mornings and some stunning spring like days of sunshine and blue skies. It  has meant that out outside works schedule has had to be pretty fluid but in reality we have probably managed already to get through the  bulk of the dry weather jobs and the next week looks little different.

Today: It should be a generally dry day with some patchy cloud but also bright or sunny spells. 

Monday: After a cloudy night with occasional rain itwill be a rather cloudy day and some patchy but mainly light rain is likely. However, some brighter intervals should also occur.

Tuesday: :Some drier and brighter spells but a few showers will also occur.

Wednesday: Another dry day with the odd shower but much cooler with winds freshening at times and turning colder.

Thursday: The short lived colder spell looks likely for most areas with some snow at times on higher Mountains around.

Friday: Another cold day especially after the clear skies overnight and the risk of frost but still staying mostly dry

Saturday:A slight change in the weather with unsettled conditions with rain or showers pushing in from the west.

Wildlife on demand!!!

Two nights ago, after dinner when I went into the bar one of the guests was complaining that they had heard all about the Eriska Badgers and it was clearly a myth as they had not seen them. Jokingly I then suggested that i would summon them forward and as I turned to the window and the badgers duly appeared. Clearly the bread and milk had helped with my mystical powers but the guests seemed somewhat surprised by my apparent skill.

So the next morning when I was walking through the Spa and got into conversation about wildlife I felt it was worth pointing out the lonely heron on the 6th green which was walking up and down the approach to the hole looking a bit fore-lorn. However I though this was a bit unusual and even interesting and as the guest had been the same one who had questioned my ability to summon badgers thought it was a chance to build my profile. However he quickly dismissed my ability and explained that he saw herons in front of his house every day and it was not unusual to see a lonesome bird. He then however went on to say that if we could tell him the best place for a sea eagle he would be a bit more appreciative.

I thought for a second and as I was about to phone reception and see if the Mull Sea Eagle tour was on noticed the man staring out of the window towards the golf course seemingly transfixed. So I too stared out the window and as if on command watched a sea eagle land on the 6th green and scare off the heron. Then after a few moments, long enough for the guest to admire my skill, it took off again.

After another few minutes time to collect his thoughts the guest then turned round -a little shell shocked- and without a word left and walked over to the hotel. I was then left in a quandary as to whether  mention the success later to the guest before he left an bask in the glory and then risk the chance that he asked to see an otter or even the Loch Ness Monster, or carry on as normal and not mention it thus leaving him to believe that being such a common occurrence it was no longer a surprise to us at Eriska.

I chose the latterfor fear of ruining the impression and In have written on his card so that if either her returns or sends friends I will make myself conspicuously absent so that the lack of my talents is never known

In the meantimejust in case I have developed a skill I have entered the National Lottery so if there is no weather forecast tomorrow morning you will know that I have the GIFT!!!!! ,

Honey Tasting

As ever we arealways on the look out for better local suppliers to firstly allow us to showcase local produce and secondly to help improve the fresh local tastes that Robbert strives to use in the kitchen. last Autumn we received an unsolicited email offering us local honey and duly I returned the form expressing interest. i then passed comment to Robert and we awaited further contact.

Nothing happened until last week when a parcel arrived with two pots of honey marked Sample A and Sample B. recognizing these as the long awaited tasting pots we arranged a time and today we had a chance to compare and contrast them with our current supply. They both had extremely different consistency and very different tastes which in truth i could not really understand, however had I read the instructions earlier then all would have become clear as Pot A was an early pollen of hawthorn, in truth i could not identify this and the second was a mixture but predominantly bramble pollen- well here I was a wee bit better and that was one of my many guesses.

Up until now we have always used heather hills honey, from as long as I can remember we arranged to book our needs back in December, contacted the farm in Perth-shire and had it delivered in the Spring before we opened, then hoped we had judged it right and did not run out. This never used to happen, unless as my father joked my Uncle George visited without warning, as he would not be unknown ton finish a pot of Honey ion one breakfast so if warned my father always kept a cheap alternative in the cupboard so as "not to waste the Good stuff" on his brother!!

Recently however we have not been so good at forecasting demand one year out and have had to reorder and keep our fingers crossed hoping that they have supply. So far so good but maybe the Bramble Honey will offer an alternative! We shall have to wait and see as the jury will reconvene tomorrow with some more toast and honey!!  Pooh would be proud of us.

Sales and reservations conference

One of the things I have most enjoyed about being Chairman of Pride of Britain has been the invitation to join the teams of other hotels at the Sales and Reservations Conference and the Wines and Spirits seminars. Both occasions gives me the opportunity to understand how other properties operate and Moor importantly it gives me chance to meet and talk with members of other teams. It never ceases to amaze me the knowledge and enthusiasm they all bring to the industry and it always leave me wondering how we can harness it further and promising myself that I need to insure that I encourage their ideas and nurture their thoughts in order to insure that Eriska and Pride of Britain benefit from their input.

Today was the Sales and Reservations seminar at Kilworth House in Liecestershire and we heard fascinating talks about the Internet and yield management, All still a bit of gobbledegook to me. Whilst not all points were pertinent to what we strive to achieve it was great to hear others resolutions to the challenges and sometimes just learning that others have the same problems is a comfort in itself. Anyway it will be back to Eriska tonight to try and put the ideas into action.

Weather w/c 15th February

I suppose it was only common sense that led us to believe sunsets like the one above could not last for ever but at least we had the chance to enjoy them and last weeks window of opportunity allowed us to get the 9 windows to the front of the house removed and replaced with new replacement, double glazed units. Had we not taken the chance I am sure that the next couple of days when we were cosed it would be a howling gale so lets just count our blessings while they last!

So whats ahead for next week:

Today:Bright start with some good sunny spells, although mist or fog will affect the higher ground. Thickening cloud will bring rain through the afternoon and evening.

Monday: freshening southwest winds will bring a rather cloudy spell of weather with outbreaks of rain at times,

Tuesday:we should  see some bright or sunny spells but the chance of rain remains.

Wednesday:A slight improvement may bring mostly dry and quiet conditions

Thursday: Similar to Wednesday but cooler overnight

Friday: Things will be turning more unsettled with periods of rain or showers likely to spread to all areas from the west or northwest with winds strengthening too bringing a low risk of gales mainly in the north.

Saturday: The strengthening winds will bring in the gales with more persistent rain

 

Hungry Deer

Its amazing how hungry we all are at this time of year, whether it is a hotelier struggling to start a new financial year off and searching for business to start paying bills amassed over the winter , or a badger who has been sleeping for a month whilst his feeders were on holiday or even the deer who are normally reclusive but are now quite tame!

We have around a dozen deer on the island and it is not unusual to be able to walk the whole island and never see a trace of them however the last couple of weeks has seen a very different side to these animals as the grass supply has wilted and the new season has yet really to start. Yesterday morning there were two on the patio in front of the main house showing off during breakfast and last week when we had a light dusting of snow the prints were even on the front door step to welcome us.

Clearly they have been driven by hunger having devoured many of the green shoots of recovery already with my mother complaining bitterly that her new plants have been savagely pruned and Chay surprised that even the roses and hydrangeas have had a wee nibble. I thought that my house and garden would have been immune as when it was suggested thatw e plant eucalyptus at the edge of the land, in order to dissuse the midges I had suggested that it would make little difference to the the wee midges but at least the deer would not appreciate the effort. Initially I was right howver that has all been proven to be inocrrect as I noticed yesterday that despite the smell and taste they have snacked on our flourishing plant which till now was the sole survivor from their grazing in nthe garden.

So its now either back to the drawing boad or off to the market to get some hay on the basis if you can't beat them then feed them!

No tennis today!!

After a brief dusting of snow last week it all quickly disappeared, or so I thought as when I was walking ho,me yesterday and glanced over at the tennis court i noticed that it was completely white. Clearly at this time of the year the yew hedge which is in place to keep the wind down in the summer, has infact kept the warming sun off it for the last week and therefore the court has remained white.

 

A few pact hes of snow remain on the golf course but generally all about us is back to green and for once travel in Scotland can confidently boast to be easier than in England. One of my colleagues rather tongue in cheek sent out an email to his clients mentioning that whilst it might not be possible to get to the Cotswold's at the weekend Scotland remained within reach. Lets hope his high confidence does not return to bite him!!