Hotel Scotland February 2018

HOTELSCOTLAND 07 – FEBRUARY 2018 ISSN 2515-8287

ALISTAIR BRUCE REVEALS NEW LOOK KEAVIL HOUSE INTERVIEW: XXXXXXX LISA WISHART, LISINI

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CONTENTS

4

NEWS

11 THE BENEFITS OF

BEING DOG FRIENDLY

12 SCOTLAND’S BEST

T

WELCOME

his is our first edition of 2018 and in fact our 8th edition since we launched the magazine last May. Over the course of the next few months, we would welcome your feedback. Are we delivering a magazine that you find useful and interesting? Let me know by emailing me at Susan@ mediaworldltd.com.

Meanwhile this month we asked some hoteliers to let us know their plans and predictions for 2018. See what they have to say on page 12. We also have an interview with Lisa Hood, Managing Director of Lisini, who operates a raft of hotels in Lanarkshire.

11

• DOG FRIENDLY

WHISKYS

14 Q&A PREDICTIONS

FOR 2018

18 INTERVIEW:

LISA WISHART

26 FOCUS:

KEAVIL HOUSE

32 WHAT’S NEW

18

34 CHECK OUT

• LISA WISHART

I caught up with Alistair Bruce at Keavil House in Crossford and also took a look at the Blythswood Hotel’s new rooms.

This issue we have an extra two pages of news – so that you can all catch up on what’s been happening.

Susan Young Editor

26

• KEAVIL HOUSE

susan@mediaworldltd.com @hotel_scotland hotelmagazinescotland.co.uk

HOTELSCOTLAND Published by Media World limited t: 0141 221 6965 e: news@mediaworldltd.com w: hotelmagazinescotland.co.uk

30

• BLYTHSWOOD SQUARE

Editor: Susan Young Editorial: Penny Devlin, Mairi Clark Advertising: Sylvia Forsyth, Steven Barr Production: Dougie Wagstaff Admin: Cheryl Cook

Upper floor Finnieston House 1 Stables Yard 1103 Argyle Street Glasgow G3 8ND

Subscriptions: HOTEL SCOTLAND is available by subscription at the rate of £52 per annum. The publishers, authors and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher. Articles published in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. © Media World Limited 2017. Printed by Stephens & George Print Group.

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 3

BRIEFS The owners of the Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness have been granted permission to revamp the hotel. The plans include altering a rear courtyard and making extensive adjustments to the hotel to create space for an additional 20 bedrooms to add to the existing 86.

This time last year plans were revealed for for Scotland’s first floating hotel in Leith at the Prince of Wales Dock. These plans have just been approved by city planners and now the £3.5m development of the tender MV Fingal into a 23-bed boutique hotel by the Royal Yacht Enterprise will begin.

Chardon Trading owned by industry veteran Maurice Taylor, and run by his daughter Nicola Taylor, has grown its profits to £3.2m, almost a 30% rise. The company suggested that their good results were, due in part, to an increase in visitors from North America, who had taken advantage of sterling’s weakness since the Brexit vote. The Group had a turnover of £16.2 million.

The group’s hotels include the Holiday Inn Glasgow Theatreland and the Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Airport.

Work has started on a 150-bedroom hotel at the new Aberdeen Exhibition Centre (AECC). The Aloft Hotel, designed by architects Cooper Cromar, will be the first building in phase 2 of the AECC masterplan.

Black Ivy in Bruntsfield, owned by entrepreneur Billy Lowe of Caledonia Inns, has launched its 28-seater ‘free to use’ coworking space for businesses. The innovative and quirky coworking space, inspired by work spaces in London and New York, is located in a private area, situated around two ping pong tables with 12 double sockets to encourage business owners to remember to take time out and have fun when the nets go up at 7pm every night. It also has additional working space in a marble table booth in a bay window area, an HD projector screen and free wifi, perfect for freelancers, start-ups and creatives, allowing them to work alongside other like-minded people in a warm and welcoming environment and to make connections.

Hamilton Park Racecourse has been given the go-ahead by South Lanarkshire Council to create a multi-million pound hotel development on its grounds.The project will see the creation of a 118-guestroom property, and a spend of £10m, on what is currently the racecourse’s main public car park. Construction is set to get underway in Spring 2018.

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APEX PLANS MULTI-MILLION POUND REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME APEX Hotels have committed to investing £12 million in refurbishments across its fourstar portfolio and work has already started in Scotland. The news comes only months after the company opened its £48.5million City of Bath Hotel.

and brand standards.

Hotels Limited said, “Our strong track record in the four-star market can only be achieved through investment in our existing portfolio, as well as providing excellent customer service

Apex Hotels reported another consecutive year of strong growth for 2016-17, with a 6% rise in turnover – up to £65 million from £61.3 million the previous year.

“We demonstrated our commitment to providing the best possible facilities for our guests by investing £48.5 million in the brand new Apex City of Bath Hotel, which opened just months ago. Carrying out an additional £12 Three Apex Hotels in Edinburgh and the Apex million of refurbishment work on our existing City Quay Hotel in Dundee are sharing in the properties over the next year goes even further spend along with two properties in London. in terms of improving facilities for our guests – Work is already underway at Apex Grassmarket and ensuring they receive the warmer welcome that Apex Hotels is known for.

Hotel, with conference and events facilities being upgraded, while Apex City Quay Hotel “As well as bedroom refurbishments for Apex & Spa in Dundee is undergoing a full bedroom City of London Hotel, Apex Temple Court refurbishment.

Hotel, Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee and Apex Haymarket, we’re also focusing The public areas, along with gym and spa, at the Dundee hotel will also be transformed as a on improvements to conference and events facilities at Grassmarket and Waterloo Place in result of the investment.

Edinburgh as well as Dundee.”

Angela Vickers, Chief Executive Officer, Apex

BUZZING INTO THE BLYTHSWOOD

The Blythswood Square Hotel in Glasgow has a new type of accommodation in the shape of three hives which house some 180,000 bees as guests. Executive Head Chef, Zoltan Szabo organised the bee hives which are now installed on the roof in order to generate the hotel’s own honey.

NEWS

LODGE ON LOCH LOMOND TRANSFORMED Lodge of Loch Lomond at Luss has just completed an extensive renovation which has seen its guest rooms upgraded, as well as its suites and restaurant facilities transformed.

The work, facilitated by a £6m refinance deal with Royal Bank of Scotland, also includes a new bar and kitchen. The hotel, which is operated by Niall and Ann Colquhoun, is a sister hotel to the Inn on Loch Lomond.

Niall Colquhoun comments, “We constantly look at ways we can make the experience at the Lodge as special as possible. Following our refurbishment, we now have a brand new bar and kitchen, we’ve renovated all 20 balconies in our suites, and our guest rooms have also been upgraded.”

NEW SCOTTISH TOURISM MONTH Scottish Tourism Week will become Scottish Tourism Month this year The Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) has confirmed.

Speaking about Scotland’s national tourism month event which will kick off on 1st March, Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the STA commented, “Scottish Tourism Month is a new opportunity for everyone in Scotland’s tourism sector to get involved in these industry events and conversations happening all over the country and also to take inspiration and insights from some of the tourism world’s leading figures who will be joining us at STA Conference. This month-long series of events has been designed to raise awareness of the issues which affect the competitiveness and sustainability of Scotland’s tourism industry, highlight the opportunities we have to grow our industry and also encourage collaboration, networking and knowledge sharing between tourism organisations in Scotland.”

The aim of the month is to engage, connect, inform and inspire all of Scotland’s tourism businesses and organisations, celebrating the enormous contribution of the tourism industry to Scotland’s economy.

Scottish Tourism Month will kick off with the STA Signature Conference which will be held this year at Glasgow’s SEC on 1st March.

The STA Signature Conference is for managers and leaders of all businesses, large or small in Scotland’s tourism industry. The programme features speakers from the world of finance, economic policy, innovation and technology and the political world.

‘The Future of Our Industry is Still in Our Hands!’ session will see George Campbell Gray share his stories, experiences and wisdom from his years spent as a Catey Award-winning hotelier with an international portfolio of hotels from Beirut to Islay.

Tony Story, the man behind the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness has revealed plans to redevelop the former Maple Court Hotel also in the city, to create a further 48 bedrooms.

He is also behind plans to build a new 80-bedroom, £5.5 million, hotel at the site of the former Highland Council service point in Church Street.

IF YOU HAVE ANY NEWS FOR US AT HOTEL SCOTLAND EMAIL: NEWS@ MEDIAWORLDLTD.COM

DALATA HOTEL GROUP SIGN LEASE FOR GLASGOW HOTEL Dalata Hotel Group has signed an agreement to lease a new Maldron hotel to be built in Glasgow with McAleer & Rushe. The new hotel will be a 4-star property ideally located on Renfrew Street in the centre of the city. The hotel will have 250 air-conditioned rooms, a bar, restaurant and conference facilities. Planning consent still has to be obtained but they hope to have the hotel open by the second half of 2020.

The news comes as the Dublin company revealed trading for the final four months of the year had been in line with expectations.

The company said that its Hotel LaTour Birmingham and Clarion Hotel Liffey Valley in Dublin had both been successfully rebranded as Clayton hotels.

The company said in a statement, “The Dublin market has continued to be very strong for us in the second half of the year with RevPAR at our hotels now up 9.5% for the year to date as at the end of November. Likewise, RevPAR growth in our Regional Ireland portfolio continues to be very strong with an increase of 8.7% for the 11 months to the end of November. As we had anticipated, RevPAR growth in our London hotels has been slower in the second half of the year leading to lower growth in our overall UK & Northern Ireland portfolio. However, the year to date growth at the end of November was still the strongest of our three regions at 10.4%.”

There are now 19 Clayton hotels in Ireland and the UK with over 4,800 rooms.

The Howard Hotel and the Channings Hotel in Edinburgh closed at the end of the year. Owners The Edinburgh Collection, are turning the properties into apartments.

A planning application is being prepared which, if granted, would see the old Grade-A listed Custom House site in Glasgow, developed into Scotland’s first Clayton Hotel. Developers Artisan have agreed a deal with Dalata Hotel Group, which will see the company lease the four-star hotel.

When completed it will have 300 bedrooms, a bar, restaurant and conference facilities. A aparthotel is planned for the adjacent building.

The £90m plan spans a development area of 2,700 sq.m. includes a former stable block and two adjacent tenement buildings. The planned opening would be 2020.

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 5

NEW MERGER TO CREATE UK’S BIGGEST HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION vibrant sector with great potential for further growth if the right policies are in place and a single, strong trade association will be ideally positioned to provide that support. ”

The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and the British Hospitality Association (BHA) are planning to merge into a new body called UKHospitality to create the UK’s biggest hospitality trade association.

The proposals have been recommended to members and an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) will be held shortly.

This new unified voice aims to bring together businesses from all aspects of hospitality including hotels, pubs, restaurants, nightclubs, entertainment and visitor attractions. The combined value of the sector is £1.3bn. UKHospitality will actively speak for these combined industries on strategic, structural and regulatory issues.

Alongside the merger proposals, the two bodies have released new figures which reveal that the sector is forecast to grow by 4.3% generating 19,000 additional jobs by 2020.

UKHospitality’s objective will be to deliver much-needed policies to help the sector secure that opportunity, and would drive employment and innovation, and support entrepreneurs.

Kate Nicholls, proposed CEO-elect of UKHospitality said, “This sector is a vital, dynamic economic powerhouse whose importance is clear in our communities, our high streets and our everyday lives. It is one of our fastest growing, most productive industries and last year it delivered 1 in 8 of all new jobs. Faced with unprecedented political and regulatory pressures, now more than ever it requires the strongest and most effective voice within government.

UKHospitality will be that vital voice and I am relishing the prospect of working with members to deliver both strong and connected relationships with government and a shared ambition to reshape the future of hospitality.”

Nick Varney, proposed Chair of UKHospitality, added, “Hospitality is a prosperous and

Steve Richards, proposed Deputy Chair of UK Hospitality, said, “A single strong voice for this vital and important sector will create a powerful platform for the changes we need; on tax, on people, on property and on regulation, for UK hospitality to really thrive, drive jobs growth and cement its position as a leading industry, globally.”

The proposed Board of UKHospitality would include: Bob Ivell of M&B, Simon Jones of Premier Inn, Dermot King of Bourne Leisure, Peter Marks of The Deltic Group, Ranjit Mathrani of Masala World, Calum Ross of Loch Melfort and Alex Salussolia of Glendola Leisure,.

Marc Crothall of the Scottish Tourism Alliance commented, “Having a unified, strong voice championing the issues that affect the growth and stability of the hospitality industry has never been more important as we move towards our EU exit date.

“It is absolutely vital that the industry has this platform to influence and shape policies that will enable the sector across the UK to thrive and realise its growth ambition in one of our most challenging political and economic climates. The merger of the BHA and the ALMR represents a huge opportunity to express that single voice, future-proof our industry and encourage the investment in support that is needed for growth in the tourism economy.

“As the overarching body for the tourism sector in Scotland, the STA looks forward to continued close working relationship with colleagues who will be part of the new body and welcome what will be an amplified voice in Westminster.”

NEW LUXURY HOTEL FOR CAPITAL The Edinburgh Grand is set to open in June.

The new hotel will have 50 individually designed, serviced apartments, a penthouse with 360 degree views, a 170-cover bar and restaurant and a coffee house. Owners Lateral City Apartments plan to make it the most luxurious hotel in the Capital. It will be located on St Andrews Square in the former global headquarters of RBS.

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NIGERIAN QUEEN PLANS SCOTTISH HOTEL Nigerian Royal, Queen Catherine Ajike, is to open a hotel in Aberdeen, as part of an ambitious 196 hotel roll-out!

She unveiled plans for a hotel group, Ugwunwa Ajike Hotels, covering every country on earth by 2026 and revealed she is launching the very ambitious programme with eight hotels initially.

The first hotels will also include hotels in Kansas City USA, Lagos Nigeria, Rome Italy, Barbados, Ireland, Saudi Arabia and Accra, Ghana as well, as, Aberdeen.

Queen Catherine Ajike is aiming for five-star ratings with some hotels featuring casinos, nightclubs, beauty spas and amusement parks.

Ugwunwa Ajike Hotels is part of the Kate Ajike Corporation, which is registered and based in London. Queen Catherine Ajike herself is based in London and Abia State, Nigeria. The corporation is financing the development of the initial set of hotels, but Queen Catherine Ajike is looking for investors too. She commented, “We are on a very exciting journey. Our hotels will stand out in the marketplace due to the quality, location and facilities, such as our in-house retail store offering unique, high-end designer collections.”

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HYSLOP DENIES PLANS FOR A £1 TOURISM LEVY Last month Fiona Hyslop, Scotland’s culture and tourism secretary, confirmed in a letter to the British Hospitality Association (BHA) that there are no plans to agree to a tourism levy like the one proposed by Highland Council.

Councillors at Highland Council have put forward suggestions for a nightly bed tax of £1 on every tourist visit to help finance infrastructure worn out by increasing tourist numbers. Their plans need ministerial approval and legislative measures to devolve tax to local authorities.

HEARTCOUNT FUND AT MANORVIEW PAYS OUT Manorview Hotels & Leisure Group has made its first payment to its 311 staff enrolled in its HeartCount Fund. The fund, a Profit Share Scheme which was launched last August, to benefits employees who have worked for the company for 12 months or more.

Under the Profit Share Scheme announced for the financial year to 31 March 2018, Manorview committed to allocating 10% of its pre-tax profits to the HeartCount Fund. The Group has achieved a record pre-tax profit for the first six months of the year which has led to a total of £82,680 to be paid out to qualifying team members. A further pay-out this summer will be based on full-year results.

Steve Graham, CEO, Manorview Group said, “Our vision is for a strong, committed workforce, where we all feel part of the Manorview culture, live by its values, and where we work collectively towards the same goals and vision. The HeartCount Fund is an integral

part of that culture, where we all contribute, share and celebrate our success. My goal is to inspire a team who see long-term career opportunities at Manorview and are proud to be a part of our growth. I believe we can achieve this by nurturing our talent, rewarding loyalty, and by communicating our core values.

Ultimately a happy and rewarding working environment leads to increased levels of service and memorable experiences for our customers.”

The fast-growing Group was founded

by Graham in 2007, when he purchased The Commercial Hotel in Wishaw, Lanarkshire. The company has since grown to incorporate a total of 16 licensed trade properties, comprising five pubs, two nightclubs, nine hotels, and a total staff of nearly 600. Total turnover for the year to 31 March 2016 for the entire Group was £15.8m.

Fiona Hyslop’s letter said, “The Scottish Government have been clear in their support of the tourism sector throughout Scotland and recognise that the tourism and hospitality sectors are key to the Scottish economy.

“As you know the Scottish Government have been consistent in our stance that given the potential impact on tourism enterprises already subject to, for example, high rates of VAT we have no plans to introduce a tourism levy.”

She continued, “I would repeat that, irrespective of the mechanism used to introduce the topic, Scottish ministers are not willing to consider requests to explore a possible tourism levy with local government unless the tourism and hospitality industry are involved from the outset and their long-term interests are fully recognised in any work.”

However, Highland Council convener Bill Lobban claimed that nothing had been ruled out and reiterated his support for a levy.

Hoteliers have warned that any levy could hit tourist numbers which would, in turn, harm their revenues, and thus lower the tax they pay. Suggesting it would result in less income for council’s rather than more. Scottish tourism figures show an 11% increase in overseas visits and a 19% increase in overseas expenditure in the 12 months to the end of June this year.”

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 7

ANNIVERSARY FOR ADAGIO EDINBURGH The first new look aparthotel in Edinburgh from global operator, Aparthotels Adagio has celebrated its one year anniversary by revealing it generated over £4.62 million pounds of revenue, exceeding performance expectations by 44%.

Jose Gómez General Manager of Aparthotels Adagio said, “We are absolutely thrilled with the performance of the Adagio Edinburgh Royal Mile over the last 12 months, which is reflected in our fantastic end of year figures and customer ratings.

“We were the first new look aparthotel to open anywhere in the world so are delighted that it has been such an overwhelming success and has been so warmly received.

We have been kept continuously busy throughout the year with the average occupancy at over 71%, which is particularly good as an average for the aparthotel’s first year of operations.

“My team have worked extremely hard to deliver these outstanding results and are committed to delivering the highest level of customer satisfaction.

We’re looking forward to building on these results in 2018. This is just the beginning!”

BRANSON PLANS EDINBURGH HOTEL Sir Richard Branson has revealed plans to open a Virgin Hotel in Edinburgh in 2020. The hotel, which will be his first in the UK, will open in the India Buildings, in Victoria Street and will have 225 suites, and various dining and drinking venues.

Branson whose wife Joan is Scottish, already has a hotel in Chicago, but has a raft of others planned for the US. Malaysian investors have bought Ardoe House Hotel, near Aberdeen. It’s the third time in 11 years that the hotel has changed hands. New owners, Wai Ceong Choy and Wai Hin Choy, bought the hotel from Amaris Hospitality in an off-market deal brokered by JLL.

8 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

SKYE HOTELIER HITS BACK AT CNN CLAIMS American broadcaster CNN recently put the Isle of Skye on its list of ‘global destinations to be avoided by visitors in 2018’.

The move followed the publicity last year when a policeman suggested that visitors to Skye ensured that they had booked accommodation before arriving on the island.

Now a leading Skye hotelier has hit out at American broadcaster CNN’s claim that the island is too crowded with tourists and should be avoided by visitors.

Anne Gunn, co-owner of the Sonas group of boutique hotels which includes Duisdale, Skeabost and Toravaig House Hotels, all on Skye, said its inclusion on a global list of ‘destinations to avoid’ in 2018 was misleading and inaccurate.

Speaking after a meeting of the tourism management organisation skyeconnect, she commented, “Skye is a big island with almost 400 miles of coastline. There are four hot spots in the north that are understandably very popular with visitors, and very busy during the summer season, but it’s ridiculous to claim that

the whole island is over-run.”

She said the tourism business was working with the Scottish Government and others to improve the island’s infrastructure around key attractions and had already made significant progress.

Meanwhile Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness have all secured places in the top ten UK locations for return flights booked. Edinburgh claimed second place in the UK in terms of flights booked between Summer 2016 and Summer 2017, Glasgow claimed fifth place, and Inverness came in at number 10. The results were published by ODIGEO who offer a B2B platform for accommodation providers.

This appetite for visiting Scotland is likely to continue into 2018 as Edinburgh looks set to be one of the most popular locations worldwide for travellers, based on bookings already made in 2017 for travel in 2018. The city saw a 78% increase in the number of forward bookings made by travellers, compared to the amount of forward bookings made in 2016 for 2017.

PLANS AMENDED FOR ROYAL HIGH Duddingston House Properties and the Urbanist Group, the developers behind the plan to turn Edinburgh’s old Royal High School into a luxury hotel, have scaled down their proposals in an effort to get their plans past planning. Last year Edinburgh City Council rejected the developers £75 million proposal, after heritage groups lobbied hard. The new plans, set to be put before the Council shortly, show a reduction of the stepped extension planned for the listed building. This means the wings will be smaller and set further back from the road which they hope will soothe at least some of the heritage objectors issues. The western extension has also been scaled back with plans showing showing a reduction in height.

NEWS

THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT Hotel owners are cautiously optimistic about future trade according to a new publication, The Hotel Confidence Report, produced by hospitality insurer NFU Mutual and the British Hospitality Association. Of the 141 businesses in the hotel, hotel supply and hospitality industries surveyed, 81% expected to maintain or increase investment levels between now and mid-2020.

The Hotel Confidence Report, published on the NFU Mutual website, also revealed the views of over 2,000 general consumers.

Particular areas of focus for hotel investment to 2020 include property refurbishment and expansion (69%); technology (53%) including customer data for marketing and personalisation, mobile solutions and superfast broadband; marketing (53%) and staff training (47%).

The top concerns of hoteliers include a skills shortage (40%), the political and economic effect of Brexit negotiations (38%), costs and margins (25%) and increasing levels of competition in the marketplace (20%).

Darren Seward, Hospitality Sector Specialist at NFU Mutual, said, “Our research shows that the picture within the hotel industry is striking a more positive note; an optimism shared by consumers. Opportunities for growth include attracting more international tourists to the UK, building brand profile, investing in new technology, and developing the skills of workers through education.”

Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, said, “The hospitality industry has a hard fight ahead. As Brexit deadlines fast approach, with no deals on trade or immigration in sight, there remains a great deal of uncertainty for the industry.

Nevertheless, we are determined and resilient.

The hospitality and tourism industry contributes £141bn to the UK economy each year and employs more than 3.6m people. We are the fastest growing sector since the 2008 downturn and have become the fourth biggest industry in the UK as a whole. As this report demonstrates, our sector is expected to continue growing in spite of punishing commercial conditions.”

The good news is that 18% of the consumers surveyed for the report are looking to increase their number of stays in hotels this year, and 24% expect to increase their actual spend.

Service was described as the secret to a great hotel (58%) and of those consumers who stay in hotels at least once a year, cleanliness (57%), an uncomfortable bed (42%) and noise levels (39%) were their top three concerns.

Consumers also said they would be impressed if a hotel promoted that it uses and supports local suppliers (72%), and 40% of those impressed would be more likely to visit as a result.

Check out The Hotel Confidence Report at www.nfumutual.co.uk/hotelconfidencereport

INDUSTRY FIRST AS APEX HOTELS SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH would provide our staff with the skills to deal confidently and correctly with any issues that our team members may face.”

Apex Hotels is showing its commitment to tackling the issue of low mental health in the workplace by partnering with MHScot Workplace Wellbeing C.I.C to deliver Scottish Mental Health First Aid courses throughout 2018 for members of the public.

In an industry first, Apex Hotels are providing the training facilities at its Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel while MHScot is delivering the courses through specially trained instructors.

The open courses explore the meaning of mental health and provide attendees with the skills to speak confidently to both colleagues and friends who are experiencing poor mental health and provide information on where to find help and support within the community.

Jennifer Matheson, Apex Hotels HR Officer, said, “At Apex, we continually strive to

provide the best support and guidance for our employees. With mental health discussed more within the media and the increasing understanding of its impact and importance, we felt that creating a partnership with MHScot

Catherine Eadie, Director of MHScot, said, “Working together with Apex Hotels benefits both organisations, as well as course participants from the wider community. Being able to run courses here at the Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel ensures that participants from far and wide not only have easy transport access to the course but can enjoy the excellent meeting facilities, whilst learning important new skills.”

There are six more courses available throughout the year including March, May, September, October, November and December, with a number of places open to the general public.

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 9

10 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

FEATURE

lists the charities, as well as information on the dog’s role and how to identify them. You can also request a window sticker for your business from the ‘contact us’ section, to show you are welcoming assistance dogs.

Most access refusals happen when staff aren’t aware of the Equality Act and guide dogs. You can download Guide Dogs’ handy booklet, and also find out more about our specialist training, at: www.guidedogs.org.uk/inclusivity

THE BENEFITS OF BEING WELCOMING

BY EMMA BROWN

I

N addition to complying with legislation, there are real benefits to welcoming guide dog owners to your hotel or B&B, writes Emma Brown of Guide Dogs.

get out and about independently. By turning away an assistance dog owner, you could risk legal action, as well as bad publicity or reviews.

Under the Equality Act 2010, guide dog and other assistance dog owners have the right to stay in a hotel or B&B at no extra charge. All hotels and B&Bs should adhere to the Equality Act, from family-owned B&Bs to national hotel chains.

Like all customers, when a guide dog owner feels welcome in your hotel and B&B, they’re more likely to become a repeat customer, and tell their friends and family about you. Maybe even post a great review online.

Although most businesses are aware of the legislation, and are very accommodating, the charity Guide Dogs still receives complaints from guide dog owners who have been turned away from hotels and B&Bs. A survey undertaken by Guide Dogs in 2015 found that a shocking three quarters (75%) of all assistance dog owners surveyed have been refused access to a service such as a hotel, B&B, restaurant or taxi at some point, because they had an assistance dog with them.

A guide dog allows someone with sight loss to

But it’s not all bad.

There are around 530 working guide dogs in Scotland, and they can be clearly identified by their harness with a reflective strip around the front, a reflective section on their lead that states ‘guide dog,’ and an ID tag. It’s worth noting there are approximately 5000 working guide dogs in the UK as a whole, so you may find holidaymakers visiting from further afield.

As well as Guide Dogs, there are seven other assistance dog charities in the UK which are covered by the Equality Act. The handy website www.assistancedogs.org.uk

The leaflet also includes some top tips for helping all customers with sight loss. You could even go the extra mile and enquire about staff training, like the Best Western Kings Manor in Edinburgh. Manager James Brown said: “We want to ensure all our guests feel welcome and have an enjoyable stay. We felt it was important our staff undertook Guide Dogs’ professional training in guiding blind and partially sighted people, so that guide dog owners and other people in the blind and partially sighted community could feel assured of a warm and confident welcome.

Making the Kings Manor accessible goes beyond practical things like ramps, level surfaces, or a dog run for guide dogs. It’s about having staff who are confident and skilled in welcoming people from all backgrounds, and understanding how different guests have different requirements.

And it’s not just about our guests’ experience.

Training in sighted guiding for blind and partially sighted people has been good for business. It is a very competitive market at the moment and no hotel can afford to ignore any client base.”

A fantastic, up-to-date leaflet produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission might alleviate any concerns hotel and B&B managers may have around assistance dogs, such as hygiene in food areas, or accommodating staff or guests with allergies to dogs. This can be downloaded here: www.equalityhumanrights. com/sites/default/files/take-the-lead-welcomingcustomers-with-assistance-dogs.pdf Emma Brown is the Engagement Officer for Guide Dogs West of Scotland. For more information, contact: scotlandengagement@guidedogs.org.uk

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 11

SCOTLAND’S BEST WHISKY BEST WHISKY

01 Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Octave Aultmore 2008

02 Crabbie 8-year-old Highland Single Malt

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky showcases a range of Octave whiskies with Aultmore 2008 a real favourite and an award-winner. As a single malt, it is sweet, rich and matured in Sherry Casks. Typically, Aultmore has an intensity with a backing of crystallised aromatic fruits. It’s impressive for a young whisky, brimful of vitality.

After decades, Crabbie Whisky, one of Scotland’s most enduring and oldest whisky brands is celebrating its relaunch into the Scotch Whisky industry. Crabbie 8-Year-Old is based on John Crabbie’s original Eight-Year-Old, but brought up to date as a single malt. Whisky expert Charles MacLean describes this highland single malt: “The nose initially presents breakfast cereals and evolves into fruit loaf with hints of dried apple. It has a smooth texture and sweet taste, with a medium-length finish. Adding water brings a slight waxiness and fruitiness to the aroma, and a spice to the finish.”

Available from www.thespiritsembassy. com OR Whiskies of Scotland Shop, 36 Gordon St, Huntly AB54 8EQ

03 The Loch Fyne The Living Cask On the shores of Loch Fyne, in the pretty fishing town of Inveraray, stands Loch Fyne Whiskies, home of The Living Cask®. Inspired by a longabandoned practice of drinking a marriage of whiskies from a cask that is constantly topped up and never emptied, The Loch Fyne The Living Cask® produces ongoing releases of limited edition malt whiskies.

Each batch is an evolution of the cask’s Islay origins and different to the last.

To date, five batches have been released; The Living Cask® Batch 5 owes its character to the addition of carefully selected Speyside malts. Get yours today, before stocks run out! www.lochfynewhiskies.com

04 Glengoyne 15 Year Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky

05 Tamdhu 10 Year Old Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky

The Glengoyne 15 Year Old has a depth and sweetness of dried fruit with bright tropical notes. Hints of lemon and pineapple reveal the influence of first-fill bourbon casks, balanced by the rich intensity of the signature sherry wood.

Uncompromising in its pursuit of excellence, Glengoyne runs its stills slower than any other distillery and matures its range in the oak casks within traditional dunnage warehouses. Glengoyne keeps true to its past and to its taste.

This 10 Year Old is Tamdhu’s signature malt.

With a natural colour and quality, it is matured in hand-selected sherry casks and boasts a warmth of toffee, bursting with fruit and spice, and an aroma of sugared almonds and vanilla.

The quality of Tamdhu is defined by the hint of peat and that its water is drawn from the Tamdhu spring.

Each drop is matured in European and American casks, many of which are first-fill.

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12 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

06 Benromach 10 Year Old Benromach handcrafts its single malt scotch whisky the time-honoured slow way.

Benromach 10 Years Old is the heart of its range, perfect for whisky fans who favour water or straight. On its own you’ll be treated to a notes of sherry, apples, chocolate, raspberries and just a peaty taste. With just a drop or two of water, you can indulge in an aroma of charred oak and malt mixed with some pineapple and kiwi fruit.

This classic Speyside malt continues the Benromach style of malts.

The 10 year old is kept in 80% bourbon barrels and 20% sherry hogshead. For its final year it’s in first-fill Oloroso casks. www.benromach.com

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Pacari Chocolate is a fair trade, sustainable, socially responsible, certified organic dark chocolate brand which has won over 200 International Chocolate Awards since 2012.

Some great malt whiskies to let your guest try.

Made from tree to bar in Ecuador, it is produced and packaged where the cacao beans actually grow (unlike 99% of chocolate in the UK) which means more wealth stays in the developing country. Furthermore, Pacari Chocolate support 3500 local cacao growing families through direct trade and use only organically-sourced ingredients to ensure that during the growing process, no harm is done to the people or the planet.

All their chocolates are 60% cacao content or above, 100% organic, only use natural ingredients and are free from dairy, gluten, refined sugars, nuts, palm oil and soy. Perfect not only for vegans but for all health conscious and ethical consumers. Their reputation for being an exclusive high quality organic, ethical brand of chocolates is growing and they now have over 40 different products and gift sets in the UK to choose from.

ANDEAN MINT

GLENCAIRN WHISKY GLASS

An expert blend of organic cacao beans from Ecuador, the Andean Mint herbal infusion chocolate bar delivers a crisp aroma and flavour.

This chocolate has a distinct fragrance of the mint infusion, alongside fruity notes of the arriba nacional cacao.

On tasting, the bar has a creamy, smooth mouthful.

The aromatic Andean Mint provides a delicate flavour that builds to a clean, long lasting finish.

72% LOS RIOS This plain chocolate bar is made from a single origin bean, grown in the Los Rios province of Ecuador which covers over 7000 sq km and was founded, under legislative decree, in 1860. As well as cacao, this region produces coffee, bananas and tobacco.

Winner of the gold medal at the last International Chocolates Awards. It was named one of the best dark chocolates in the world.

PASSION FRUIT

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This bar is an expert blend of organic cacao beans from Ecuador that delivers complex aromas and flavours.

A sweet, floral and fruity fragrance. This aroma is not from the Passionfruit itself but it is actually the aroma of the arriba nacional cacao bean.

The mouthfeel is creamy, with a strong flavour delivery. Following an initial surge of tart citrus passionfruit, it finishes with a soft sweetness.

Not available in supermarkets you can get your hands on their full collection by visiting their online shop home.pacarichocolates.uk/collections Pacari products are also gluten free, vegan friendly, soy free, artificial ingredients free and free of refine cane sugar. Use the following code for your order and get a 10% discount HotelScotland10, valid until 30 April.

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FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 13

PREDICTIONS AND

14 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

FEATURE

D PLANS FOR 2018 ANGELA VICKERS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, APEX HOTELS LIMITED What are your general plans for this year?

We are currently investing £12m in refurbishment works across our portfolio, with work on some properties already under way.

Throughout 2018 we will see improvements to three of our Edinburgh Hotels – Grassmarket, Haymarket and Waterloo Place – as well as Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee.

Work is already under way at Apex Grassmarket Hotel, with £2m being spent in upgrading the 169 bedrooms, while Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa in Dundee is also undergoing a full bedroom refurbishment.

The public areas, along with gym and spa at the Dundee hotel will also be transformed as a result of the investment.

Apex City of London Hotel will also benefit, this time aimed at transforming existing bedrooms, while Apex Temple Court Hotel – also in London – will continue its £6m refurbishment which includes a 20-bedroom extension.

Focus will also continue in promoting Apex City of Bath, our tenth and newest Apex property which opened in August last year. Bath is a new city for us and we are working hard to bring conference business to the hotel - Bath’s only purpose-built city centre conference facility for up to 400 guests – whilst showcasing both our facilities and attractions of Bath.

short stay leisure breaks with visitors packing as much activity into their trips as they possibly can.

Itineraries are planned in advance and research undertaken with mobile devices is playing a large part in the booking process, whether that is the room stay or theatre tickets - Google search and Google maps are a guest’s best friend! Clearly this is symptomatic of Apex being in key city centre locations where events, festivals and attractions drive visitor traffic.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge this year?

Specifically for Apex, ensuring that all of our refurbishment projects come in on time and on budget will be a challenge, however each project has been planned with military precision to minimise disruption to both the business and hotel guest.

Overall for the industry I think it will be keeping hotels busy and increasing visitor numbers against a backdrop of uncertain political and economic factors that could place financial constraints on domestic guests ability to travel (both on business and for leisure) and potentially reduce customers from overseas too.

What, in your view, is the key challenge for the tourism industry in Scotland for 2018?

Do you see any trends emerging?

On a macro level, keeping the Scottish proposition alive and competitive, with the world now a much smaller place due to greater accessibility to global travel.

Analysis of data is now a pre-requisite for the industry.

Interrogation of technology allows us to identify trends fairly quickly, however the key is to recognise the ones which are most relevant to better service our customer.

By continuing to promote Scotland on a worldwide stage, not just to tourists but to the conference and events audience, business investors and corporate conglomerates will be key in keeping Scotland front of mind.

This year we are focusing on the guest experience and reinforcing our ‘warmer welcome’ brand message.

We recognise that customers have a choice and value guests who have chosen to stay at Apex over other brands. At Apex we strive to give an experience that rewards that decision.

The tourism industry must work on how it can be smarter in an environment of shrinking budgets, ever increasing data and the continually changing face of technology.

We are also seeing an upturn in leisure visitors across the estate, particularly from overseas. The trend is

However I believe these factors will all bring opportunities. For Apex we will continue to innovate, whilst not losing sight of the basics and the importance of both our guests and employees.

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 15

XXXXXXX FEATURE

STEVE GRAHAM MANORVIEW, HOWWOOD What are your general plans for this year?

A main focus this year is on our Manorview culture. We started this process last year and it’s going to be ongoing throughout all of this year also. We’ve been turning our entire culture on its head, and we’ve introduced initiatives such as our profit share HeartCount Fund. We’ve been investing heavily in our people and ensuring all our values and guiding principles are communicated to our whole team and that we are all working together in the Manorview way.

MALCOLM SIMPSON SIMPSINNS, AYRSHIRE

Do you see any trends emerging?

What are your general plans for this year?

In general, I can see increased costs coupled with wage increases.

These trends emphasise the importance of us all working together collectively as a group to contribute to and grow our profits.

After completion of a bedroom refurbishment programme in 2017 we will continue to invest in our existing properties with a major development project within our Spa, Golf and Leisure.

Do you see any trends emerging?

Confidence is coming back slowly... possibly because customers are fed up waiting for it one way or the other.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge this year?

What do you think will be your biggest challenge this year?

Banging the same old drum The increase in cost of business (from all different angles) v’s the required increase necessary in pricing (in a very difficult and discounted trading environment). But it is certainly improved from last year!

I can see the biggest challenges being managing and driving the profit of the business. That’s why initiatives such as the HeartCount Fund are so important, because they help to galvanise the team, and it focuses on profits. As well as this it places an emphasis on the contribution everyone makes

What, in your view, is the key challenge for the tourism industry in Scotland for 2018?

The uncertainty of what Brexit and the run up to it will bring and the constant chatter of Independence or not! Creating uncertainty in investment and confusion to the visitor.

HANS RISSMAN THE STRATHAVEN HOTEL, STRATHAVEN What are your general plans for this year?

Now that our refurbishment has neared completion it will be about communicating and marketing the hotel. Putting the hotel back on the map and looking after our guests to the best of our ability.

Do you see any trends emerging?

16 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY JUNE 2017 2018

Customers are still looking for value and options. Desire for local produce . Dietary preference and variety of choice.

What do you think will be your biggest challenge this year?

As a new business our biggest challenge will be juggling, dealing with costs and the continued demand this will have on us.

Generating a constant business flow and reacting accordingly.

What, in your view, is the key challenge for the tourism industry in Scotland for 2018?

Increased costs and finding the right talent with the right attitude to follow.

to the success of Manorview. In turn, our people also share in that success via payments from the HeartCount Fund.

What, in your view, is the key challenge for the tourism industry in Scotland for 2018?

I can see the biggest challenges being managing and driving the profit of the business.

That’s why initiatives such as the HeartCount Fund are so important, because they help to galvanise the team, and it focuses on profits. As well as this it places an emphasis on the contribution everyone makes to the success of Manorview. In turn, our people also share in that success via payments from the HeartCount Fund.

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FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 17

A FAMILY SUCCESS LISA WISHART is Managing Director of Lisini SUSAN YOUNG caught up with her to find out more about the family business.

18 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

L

ISA Wishart is the Managing Director of her family business Lisini – which has developed from a pub business into arguably one of the most successful hospitality businesses in Lanarkshire. Lisa’s, right hand man is cousin Grant Hood while sister Siobhan Edwards also plays a key role in driving the business forward The company, which now employs close to 300 people, has grown organically and now includes Dalziel Park, a 16-bedroomed hotel with golf course and wedding and conference facilities, The Parkville in Blantyre which also boasts wedding and conference facilities as well as five bedrooms and the newly-refurbished Angels – with six boutique bedrooms and a bustling restaurant and bar. It also operates the Castle Rooms and owns The Croft.

The business, founded by Lisa’s parent, Harry and Kathleen Hood, forty years ago, is testament to the old adage hard work pays off.

And certainly Lisa is convinced that it is her parents’ work ethic that she and her siblings have inherited, that have helped position Lisini at the very heart of hospitality in the area.

When I caught up with Lisa at Angels, which has just undergone a very slick million pound refurbishment, she was quick to point out that she doesn’t really consider herself a hotelier, or indeed a publican. She tells me, “When people ask what I do I often hesitate. I think I am most comfortable saying that I work in hospitality.”

But that was not always the case. Lisa originally started her working life as a PE teacher, and in fact played Hockey for Scotland.

Her sporting prowess comes, of course, from

INTERVIEW XXXXXXXX her father’s side of the family. Harry Hood, as you all probably know, was a Celtic legend (still is). He played 189 times for Celtic and scored 74 goals including the 1971 Scottish Cup final winner. Says Lisa, “Dad’s brother played for Everton, one boxed for Scotland and his two sisters were professional iceskaters. They were an exceptionally talented family and I was lucky to inherit the sporty side. I always wanted to do PE. so I concentrated on sport which I really enjoyed. But unfortunately three years into teaching my knees gave way, and I wasn’t sure what direction to take. So I took a year off and went backpacking and then my mum suggested I come into the family business. She had been ill, and although she had recovered she wanted to take more of a back seat.”

Mind you it wasn’t the first time Lisa had worked for the family company. She tells me, “My mum and dad worked incredibly hard when we were young, and they instilled this work ethic into us by insisting that we earned our pocket money by working in their pubs. So from an early age I was cleaning, then I progressed to doing the dishes and chambermaid work. My parents motto was ‘If you can’t be seen to do it don’t expect anyone else to do it.’ Therefore you would find me behind the bar in the morning cleaning, despite having been working the previous night. It was a very good grounding.”

Lisa joined the company as manager of Angels in Uddingston more than 20 years ago. She says, “When I started working in Angels we only did a little bit of food at lunchtime and we had hand written menus, which had four dishes, and the cash was collected in a blue tin box.

We stopped serving food at 2.30pm in the bar and our bedrooms were never used.”

She continues, “I didn’t have a hospitality degree, but instead I decided to do a Masters of Business Adminstration at Strathclyde University while I was working. I studied at night and at the weekends. It was great. My parents didn’t realise what I was doing. I’m sure they thought it was a sports qualification.

I funded the MBA myself and it was worth it. It is a great degree for people who are small business owners – who need to know a little about finance, HR, marketing, strategy and more. It also gave me a good overall understanding of how every component in your business is a cog in the wheel. I also realised that although the bottom line is important, it is not all about profits when you are a family company. For us family ethics are important – we want to have a business that operates in a fair and honest way and we want our customers to feel appreciated. That is more important to us than profit.”

However when Lisa tried to introduce new

marketing initiatives after taking over at Angels, she did find a bit of opposition from her parents. She explains, “I suggested that we started serving food at night. My dad wasn’t keen. He didn’t think people would come in for evening meals. He said people don’t eat out at night they come out for a good pub lunch but they won’t come back out at night. But I decided to do it anyway, and I tried it in the Angels lounge. At first it was really quiet and I thought, ‘oh no’ dad was right! But then I came up with a new marketing ploy. I said to dad, “Why don’t we do ‘Two meals for the price of one’. It really took off. This was 22 years ago, and I honestly think we were the first, or one of the first to do this.”

Today, the business still has the same offer.

Lisa says, “We are fully booked a week ahead.

We run the promotion Monday to Thursday, and obviously it only applies to a certain number of dishes. People worried that when

“ I said to dad, “Why don’t we do ‘Two meals for the price of one’. It really took off. This was 22 years ago, and I honestly think we were the first, or one of the first, to do this.” we refurbished Angels we would come away from our roots, but why change something that works so well? It is brilliant.”

Through the years Lisini has continued to invest in the premises and it developed from a business that was based around beverages and food, to a complete hospitality business.

Lisa comments, “Although we are only five businesses we do everything from golf, to weddings, to functions, to conferencing, to late nights and pre-club. We don’t like to pigeon hole the business.”

Lisini have a reputation for taking over businesses and totally rejuventating them. Ten years ago they bought The Parkville in Blantyre and invested £750K refurbishing the business.

At the time people were amazed that the group had invested so much on the business.

But before long business was flourishing.

Five years later they bought Dalziel Park in Motherwell.

Lisa was the main instigator when it came to buying the Motherwell business which was set in 250 acres. It has a 600-capacity and is split into the Cedar Suite, two conference rooms, the bar and brasserie and a restaurant called

• ANGELS, THE PARKVILLE AND DALZIEL PARK

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 19

INTERVIEW the Wide Mouth Frog plus 16 bedrooms and of course the golf course. She says, “For some reason no one wanted Dalziel Park. We were the only ones to bid for it. But I honestly think only a handful of operators could have transformed it. Dalziel needed to be a venue that appealed to the local community. But it wasn’t an easy transition. It had to be totally renovated, and of course it cost much more than we thought it would. But it was worth it.

I get a lot of pleasure out of the fact that local people stop me in the street and say thanks for putting Dalziel back on the map. They love the fact that they have a place in Motherwell that they like to go to. That is very motivating.

We have further plans for the venue – within the next two years we plan to add 16 new bedrooms and a spa facility. I would like to make it into a nice country club.”

Lisa believes that the staff have contributed greatly to the companies success. Lisini used to have 10 year service awards, but now there are so many people who have nearly 20 years service with the company they are having to amend that. She comments, “We are really lucky with our staff. But we do invest in a lot of time ensuring that we get the right people – we call it Lisini Behaviours – honesty, friendliness, and attitude are all important when it comes to recruitment. We call our employee the Lisini family and we need to make sure people fit in. Grant, who is our Operations Director, and his assistant Linda, get to meet every member of staff before they come on board. We do make mistakes, and sometimes staff make mistakes, but generally it works out.”

The company has staff apprenticeships, as well as staff awards, and they also have an inhouse newsletter. Everyone is also encouraged to get involved with company initiatives – such as the Lisini’s move to embracing green issues,

“Last year was another year of significant progress against our strategy. Our performance was ahead of the board’s and market expectations.”

the Parkville is set for another refurbishment shortly. Certainly the company accounts look good. The company turned over £8.2m last year, up more than £600,000 from the previous year, with operating profit reaching £776,917. Says Lisa, “Last year was another year of significant progress against our strategy.

Our performance was ahead of the board’s and market expectations.”

and fundraising for the Beatson. Lisa says, “We have raised around £65K for the Beatson and that fundraising has been driven by our staff.

We raise money through our fireworks night, Christmas fayre and Sportsman dinners as well as many other events throughout the year.

She tells me that the business split is 42% conference wedding, 8% on accommodation and food and drink accounts for the rest. As for the golf course – she laughs wryly, “There is no money in golf!”

Lisa is looking forward to another year of progress and she tells me that they are always improving what they have to offer. In fact

This year she also has an eye out for another venue. She concludes, “We don’t want to get much bigger, but I do think we are now ready to add to our portfolio.”

• THE FAMILY PICTURED RECENTLY WITH CELTIC PLAYER MOUSSA DEMBELE

20 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

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FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 21

FOCUS ON BEST WESTERN KEAVIL HOUSE

B

EST Western Plus Keavil House in Crossford, near Dunfermline, has recently undergone a transformation with owners Queensferry Hotels investing a substantial amount in a revamping of the hotel’s interior and exterior space and expanding the hotel’s footprint with a newbespoke extension.

The hotel is run by General Manager Alistair Bruce. Alistair who has been in charge at the hotel for the last ten years is delighted with the refurbishment which includes a new restaurant, The Botanist, a great outdoor terrace, a new bar and a lounge area.

He told Hotel Scotland, “One of the challenges for us was that we wanted to build an extension which fitted in with the historical nature of the building. We wanted to create a modern hotel which still had the charm of the ancient mansion.”

22 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

The history of the Keavil estate dates back to the 14th century. Although no exact build date is known for the original Keavil house the thickness of its walls suggest that it was built in the 15th century, about the same time that Dunfermline was Scotland’s capital.

Queensferry Hotels bought the property in 1980 and it joined The Bruntsfield Hotel in Edinburgh also owned by the group. When it was bought it had been empty for a while, however in its past it had not only operated as a private mansion but also as a base for the Admiralty during the first world war due to its closeness to Rosyth. It was also the base for Prince Louis of Battenburg – who during his posting at Keavil became Lord Mountbatten, which is why there is a Mountbatten wedding suite at the hotel.

In 1919 it returned to private ownership when local rubber works owner Henry Reid Stewart

• GENERAL MANAGER ALISTAIR BRUCE

FOCUS

“One of the challenges for us was that we wanted to build an extension which fitted in with the historical nature of the building. We wanted to create a modern hotel which still had the charm of the ancient mansion.”

bought it. He owned it until 1940 and allowed locals to enjoy the gardens which included rare trees and a rock garden. After his death, the Trustees sold the house to Dunfermline Burgh Council who converted it into the Martha Freeman children’s home. It closed in 1977 and it lay empty until Queensferry Hotels bought it and opened Keavil House as a Hotel with 15 bedrooms.

Alistair comments, “I still have people who come to visit Keavil because they lived here when it was a children’s home. They often take a look at their old rooms.” He continues, “In 1982 we built the first wing which created more bedrooms, and in 2007 we built more bringing the total to 72 bedrooms. We have two conference suites, The Elgin Suite which holds up to 300 guests, and The Mountbatten Suite which holds 120. We also built the leisure club which is now 23 years old. That’s one of

the reasons why it is nice working for a private owner because they are always reinvesting.”

However, the restaurant at Keavil House, although being updated over the years, had not been developed. Explains Alistair, “It was one of my original ideas when I first came to the hotel, and I am delighted that it is now completed.

I have been involved in many refurbishment projects and I can honestly say that Mozolowski and Murray, who handled the complete project from initial design to completion, did a fabulous job.” He explains, “Right from the start they were interested in how much the work would affect the business and they worked around our wedding schedule, which was still going when they started the work at the end of August. We still had a number of weddings to do – but they were happy to accommodate us and put up screening to allow the weddings to take place in the gardens, and scheduled noisy FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 23

DESIGN FOCUS

construction so it didn’t clash with corporate or private events. The whole job went very smoothly.”

Today the new extension, which houses the 60-seater Botanist restaurant, is a contemporary glass and wooden structure, made at Mozolowski and Murray’s workshop in Kinross. It has been designed to enhance the beauty of the hotel’s grounds, and features windows which open out onto a substantial new patio terrace boasting a sweeping staircase which takes guests out onto the lawns of the hotel. There are also two new private rooms and the lounge beside the new structure has been refurbished with new carpets, wallcoverings and some new furniture, with a completely new bar too.

Says Alistair, “The hotel has traded really well over the last 10 years. We have been lucky in that there were two major corporate projects – the two aircraft carriers which were being built at Rosyth and the new Queensferry Bridge. A lot of business people involved in both projects stayed here and our business model was very corporate Monday to Thursday.

However, the bridge is finished and one of the 24 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

aircraft carriers has already gone and the other one won’t be long, so I am now looking at other ways of generating revenue. We are a massive wedding venue already but I believe we will get more business from our leisure business now that we have revamped the restaurant. “ He continues, “January has been a really good month. We are one of the hotels that gets a lot of the big local events and we had a big Burns Supper, and three or four new events. Our dinner, bed and breakfast business has been strong. In fact it has been really strong.”

Alistair has been in the hotel industry for 40 years and his mother is the reason. He explains, “My father died when I was eight and my mother had six children to raise. So she moved from Stirling to Doune and bought the Red Lion Hotel. We all helped out in it. But I was the only one to stay in the business after going to Napier and doing hospitality. It’s definitely in my blood.”

He admits that the business has changed a lot over the years. Says Alistair, “I love the fact that the type of place that Keavil House is allows me to interact with my customers, and that is the part of the business I have always enjoyed.

I don’t like sitting at my desk sending emails and business reports! I’ve also got a great team, who are all local and our customers love the fact that our staff are from Fife and can tell them about it. The area, over the last five years, has enjoyed significant tourism growth and that has been due in no small part to everyone getting behind tourism initiatives. For instance, we got involved with Unesco for the bridge, and we have our ‘Cruise’ initiative – where local volunteers meet people coming off the cruise liners at Rosyth who previously used to get on a bus and go straight into Edinburgh. Now they spend time in Dunfermline. It’s nice to get involved in these things as well as running a hotel.

Alistair’s own background in the business includes time with Macdonald Hotels, Trust House Forte and Thistle Hotels, and more. He says, “When you have been in the industry as long as I have you think about the future of the business and the people coming in. It is a constant challenge trying to get young people interested in hospitality as a career. But for me, it has not just been a career, it has been a vocation too and I still love it. I also love the new Botanist.”

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 25

XXXXXXX DEIGN FOCUS

BLYTHESWOOD SQUARE, GLASGOW

G

LASGOW’S Blythswood Square Hotel has unveiled it’s refreshed and reimagined guest rooms and suites. The refurbishment includes the creation of a new, two-bedroom penthouse suite, plus a new design for all entry level, deluxe and Georgian bedrooms as well as the addition of 12 new guest rooms.

The re-design, undertaken by Jim Hamilton of Graven Images, who originally designed the hotel, has brought the guest rooms bang up to date. Says GM Murray Thomson, “Jim has brought his usual attention to detail to the refreshed bedrooms – from the luxurious silk blended curtains to the signature heritage leather chairs, and new lighting. He has definitely put the lustre back into the rooms.”

Murray continues, “We did the sensible thing and asked customers what they would change if they could improve their rooms. People wanted bigger TV’s, better lighting and reliable wi-fi. The latter has certainly been an issue since the hotel was first built. But we have

26 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

listened and now guests can stay logged on, without their signal dropping off. We’ve put new TV’s in which are larger, and the rooms are now brighter too. The lighting allows guests to put their make-up on at the mirror.”

have has been phased out and new textiles have been introduced. All the Georgian rooms feature newly commissioned pictures Murray comments, “There is a story behind every piece of art.”

As you would expect each guest room is now a sophisticated sanctuary and has been tastefully redecorated and where necessary repaired. For example, the marble in the bathrooms has been re-polished up and some of the original cased goods also have new marble tops.

But it is the penthouse that Murray is looking most forward to seeing completed. He told Hotel Scotland, “I believe our new penthouse will be the best in the country. We aim to have it finished in March. It will be larger with a new dining area, as well as an extra bedroom. It has a luxurious bathroom – we have had to have the new bath brought in by crane, and it will also have a lovely outside terrace.”

Two new rooms have also been created on each floor and they all have a classic design.

The Georgian rooms have been completely refreshed – even the windows have been refurbished and replaced. The red lampshades have gone, now the windows have sheer blinds which mean guests have the privacy of the blinds dropping down, but their view of the Square has not been blacked out. New luxurious silk blended curtains frame the windows. The Harris tweed soft furnishings

Elsewhere in the hotel, the Restaurant will also undergo refurbishment as well as the firstfloor Salon bar. The work is expected to be completed by mid-Summer.

Murray concludes, “We are committed to offering our guests an unrivalled five-star experience and this new multi-million-pound investment allows us to do just that.”

PEOPLE

A BRAND NEW ERA BEGINS IN THE KITCHENS AT BALBIRNIE HOUSE

TOWNSEND JOINS ONE DEVONSHIRE One Devonshire Gardens by Hotel du Vin has appointed Gary Townsend as Head Chef at its 3AA Rosette restaurant.

A classically trained chef, Gary brings with him over 16 years’ experience in the industry. Prior to joining One Devonshire Gardens, Gary worked as Sous Chef at ‘Martin Wishart’.He has also spent time at Michelin restaurants including: ‘The Kitchin’, ‘L’Enclume’, ‘Restaurant Sat Bains’, and ‘Hibiscus’.

In his most recent role, as Head Chef at luxury five-star resort Cameron House, Gary was responsible for a team of 20 chefs.

Gary Townsend said, “One Devonshire Gardens has an incredible reputation built over a number of years and I look forward to joining them on this next stage of the hotel’s development. I am passionate about classical cooking and am always looking at new techniques, developing new flavours and ideas.”

The Principal Edinburgh Charlotte Square has appointed South African Johan Scheepers as general manager.

Gillian Mylles has been appointed Manager. Johan previously worked at The Maslow Hotel, Sun City Resort in South Africa, the Radisson Edwardian Group, Guoman and Thistle, and had a regional role with Macdonald Hotels and Resorts in Manchester.

Meanwhile Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel has a new General Manager in the shape of Paul Bray, who was formerly General Manager at Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld. He replaces Graeme Gibson who has joined the Glynhill Hotel in Renfrew as General Manager.

Hotel du Vin Edinburgh has a new General Manager in the shape of Benjamin Bel. He has been General Manager at Malmaison Aberdeen for the last two years.

Balbirnie House Hotel has appointed a new Executive Chef – Chris Hazelton. Having started his career cooking in Balbirnie’s kitchens 11 years ago, Chris now steps into the role leadership – a local lad who has done tremendously well!

When the role of Executive Chef was advertised in summer 2017, there were almost 70 applicants, from across the world. Balbirnie MD Nicholas Russell says, ‘It was amazing for our brigade to receive so many applications from so many accomplished Chefs, and we all wish Chris every success.’

Chris has said, ‘It is truly wonderful to be returning to Balbirnie House Hotel to step

into the role as Executive Chef. I could not be prouder of the fact that I am coming home to look after the kitchens where I started my career.”

Chris began his career at Balbirnie House Hotel aged 23, he spent two years with the hotel. With the following years spent gaining experience at the Seafood restaurant at St Monans, under Chef-owner Craig Millar and almost 5 years at St Andrews Links Trust working under Chef Ian Macdonald, a former Executive Chef from Balbirnie. Chris then went on to spend 4 further years in charge of the kitchens within two of Scotland’s most vibrant country house and resort destination properties – Houston House and Peebles Hydro.

NEW GM FOR MURRAYSHALL HOUSE HOTEL Murrayshall House Hotel & Golf Courses has appointed Nigel Bird as its new General Manager.

Nigel has a long history of working with luxury venues having spent one year as General Manager at the five star Ackergill Tower and two years managing the four star Lodge on

Loch Lomond. He comments, ‘I am delighted to have been bestowed the privilege of managing this fabulous property and golf courses and to taking it to its next stage of development.”

Murrayshall Hotel is currently undergoing a major refurbishment programme.

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 27

WHAT’S NEW THREE CRAFT WHISKEYS FROM GLENDALOUGH Glendalough Distillery has three newly-crafted whiskeys for 2018, and it has refreshed its bottle design across its full range.

The whiskey’s – Double Barrel Irish Whiskey, 7yr Old and 13yr Old Single Malts have already started to roll out alongside the company’s Wild Botanical gin and traditional Poitín – all of which will feature the new, revamped packaging.

Kevin Keenan, Founder and Creative Director at Glendalough Distillery, said, “Our new look and bespoke bottle really brings the range together as a family, while the new cask-finishes set the whiskey apart from anything else being done in Irish whiskey.”

Glendalough’s design makeover welcomes taller, slimmer bottles across its 70cl spirits, complete with bold, contemporary labelling which reflects the brand’s birthplace: a mountainous glacial valley in County Wicklow, south of Dublin.

For information on where to buy contact email GaryM@GlendaloughDistillery.com

NEW FROM TAMDHU The third edition of Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Batch Strength series has just been released.

Each batch in the series is distinctive and differs slightly in style and strength and is bottled un-chill-filtered. Batch 003 has also been matured exclusively in hand-selected sherry oak casks.

Commenting on Batch Strength 003, Iain Weir, Brand Director for Ian Macleod Distillers, said, “We are absolutely delighted to be in the position where we are launching the third Batch Strength expression, following such a busy and awardwinning 2017 for Tamdhu. Previous batch strength versions have attained international praise and commendation and become the choice for whisky connoisseurs and collectors alike.

TWIN RIVER DISTILLERY CREATES WORLD’S STRONGEST GIN Royal Deeside distiller – Twin River Distillery, is claiming that it has created the world’s strongest gin which has an ABV of 77%. Twin River Distillery’s new Naked Gin ‘Uncut’ edition has an initial run of 101 bottles and it was launched at the North East’s Gin Festival at Thainstone House.

As one of just four Scottish distilleries to produce the base spirit for its gin entirely onsite, the Twin River team is passionate about the provenance of its products and developing an innovative range of spirits and flavours.

Ryan Rhodes, brand ambassador for Twin River, said, “When our Head Distiller, Liam Pennycook tasted the uncut spirit straight from the still, he decided it was too good not to share.

“By developing Uncut, we really wanted to push the boundaries – but obviously ask people to enjoy it sensibly. You have to appreciate that most gins are 40-50% ABV so care must be taken when drinking this spirit and a small amount definitely goes a long way.”

“100% matured solely in the best quality Sherry casks of which the vast majority are first fill giving our Batch Strength a strong natural colour, rich taste and a long finish. Our Batch Strength, bottled at 58.3% ABV, is the closest you’ll get to sampling a dram direct from the cask.”

CANADA’S EMPRESS 1908 GIN LAUNCHES IN UK

Tamdhu is owned by Ian Macleod Distillers.

For direct sales enquiries, please contact Marvin Henshaw, UK Brand Manager, at marvin@empressgin.com

28 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

Empress 1908, the all-natural, indigo gin from Victoria Distillers in British Columbia, Canada has launched in the UK. Empress 1908 gin is micro-distilled in small batch copperpot stills using eight botanicals: juniper, rose, coriander seed, grapefruit peel, ginger root, cinnamon bark, butterfly pea blossoms and the Fairmont Empress Blend Tea. It has an ABV of 42.5%.

Empress 1908 launched in Canada in early 2017, followed by a successful roll-out across the United States and awards include Best Alcohol Drink, 2017 World Beverage Innovation Awards.

Empress 1908 is currently available nationwide via LWC.

EVENTS

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY TRUST AWARD 218 SCHOLARSHIPS

T

HE Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland awarded 218 scholarships to the class of 2018 at the sold out Emerging Talent Conference which took place at the Glasgow Central Hotel earlier this month.

The annual conference, that celebrates the year’s scholars, was attended by over 400 industry representatives, hospitality and catering students as well as top hospitality industry names.

The scholarships offer aspiring individuals working within or studying towards a career in hospitality once in a lifetime training opportunities.

The scholarships, celebrating the Year of Young People, will allow the recipients to learn and develop within the hospitality industry while experiencing trips around the world and meeting some of the industry’s top names.

Keynote speakers and workshop hosts at the

event included Simon Thomas, Head concierge at The Lanesborough, young entrepreneur Kieran Aitken from We Are Orbit, and previous HIT Scholar winner, Michael Lennon, from Bliss Flowers from Dubai who spoke on a number of inspiring topics surrounding the hospitality industry.

Speaking about the conference HIT Scotland’s Chief Executive David Cochrane said, “Since its inception in 2005 the Emerging Talent Conference has grown from strength to strength, attracting high profile speakers, students and industry professionals alike.

“The application process for this year’s set of scholarships was our busiest yet resulting in some hard decisions. We are excited for these 218 scholars to embark on their scholarship opportunities over the next year and positively shape the future of the booming hospitality industry in Scotland.”

FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 29

30 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

PROPERTY

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FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 31

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FEBRUARY 2018 • HOTELSCOTLAND • 33

CHECKOUT

FROM THE EDITOR

Glenfinnan House in Scotland recently became an internet sensation after a passing Stag decided to help himself to some feed from its bird feeder. His antics were caught on camera with more 1 million people viewing the video and 46,000 plus shares. The hotel is now known far and wide, and of course so is the cheeky stag.

Well done Tony Story owner of the Kingsmill Hotel In Inverness. He has just launched a new scholarship with the University of the Highlands and Islands. The hotel will be providing a first year student, on the new BA tourism and hospitality practice degree, with free accommodation and board during term time, guaranteed paid work placement, and £500 on successful completion of first year study.

It’s nice to hear of hotels that are getting awards for serving quality beer and congratulations are in order to Nick Henderson, owner of Burt’s Hotel in Melrose – who apparently serves the best beer in the Lothians or Borders, according to Camra.

In 2017 investment in Scottish hotels hit £195m – an increase of 60% over 2016, according to recent figures released by Savills. The company revealed that Edinburgh had the highest level of hotel investment of all the Scottish cities in 2017, accounting for 64% (more than £117m) of all Scottish transactions. Edinburgh becomes the second largest city outside of London (behind Manchester) in terms of hotel investment. While Glasgow too did well – with investment more than doubling in 2017. That all bodes well for this year. In fact Steven Fyfe of Savills Scotland revealed that Q1 2018 is already on track to deliver in excess of £110m in transactions.

Despite all the objections to the redevelopment of historic Kings House Hotel on Rannoch Moor, Highland councillors have approved the planned extension. Various outdoor groups, including Mountaineering Scotland, had campaigned against the extension because they didn’t like the design. But now work can start on renovating the hotel which is located on the West Highland Way. 34 • HOTELSCOTLAND • FEBRUARY 2018

The Scottish Tourism Alliance has welcomed Edinburgh Councillor McVey’s announcement that tourism businesses in the capital will be invited to take part in a local consultation exercise with regard to plans to introduce a tourism tax. Here’s hoping they listen to the real tourism experts, particularly since tourism in the UK is already globally ranked 135/136 when it comes to price competitiveness due to the existing high levels of taxation.

We hear of hotels investing millions in their facilities but top Austrian Hotel – the Astoria Resort, which has 84-bedrooms, has invested a staggering £20m in a new spa and 24 new rooms! It’s new luxury facilities they say will put it up there with the finest resort hotels in the Alps. I would hope so!

The Chester Residence is going the extra mile when it comes to welcoming families with children. All of its apartments are fully kitted out for children prior to guests’ arrival, and the whole family is taken care of from young babies to older children.

Families travelling with babies now receive a baby welcome pack to keep their little one entertained whilst also ensuring their safety and parent’s peace of mind. Older children receive a hamper on arrival which includes games, DVDs and Corky the bear - a cuddly bear which they can take home to remember their visit. For parents preferring to dine-in during their stay, the team at The Chester Residence have it covered – guests can order a luxury hamper full of delicious treats or upgrade to ‘The Chester Feast’, including beer and wine for the adults.

General Manager of The Chester Residence, Jill Darling, says, “We aim to ensure that all guests, no matter their age, enjoy a luxury experience at The Chester Residence and are taken care of by our team.” It’s just a pity I don’t have kids!

HOTELSCOTLAND HOTELSCOTLAND 001 - APRIL 2017

HOTELSCOTLAND 02 - MAY 2017

SCOTLAND’S INSPIRATIONAL INDEPENDENT HOTELIERS

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: BILL COSTLEY

THE SCOTTISH TOURISM ALLIANCE CONFERENCE

A NEW CHAPTER FOR AUCHRANNIE

HOTELSCOTLAND 03 – JUNE 2017

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

STEVE GRAHAM WELCOMES MINISTER TO THE BUSBY HOTEL INTERVIEW: DALE MACPHEE AROUND THE WORLD TO THE WALDORF

H OT E L S C OT L A N D 07 – FEBRUARY

2018

ISSN 2515-828

7

ALISTAIR BR E REVEALS NEW LOUC OK KEAVIL HOUSE INTERVIEW: LISA WISHA XXRT,XXLISXX INIX

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HOTELSCOTLAND – the only print publication dedicated to Scotland’s hotel industry

HOTEL SCOTLAND ADVERTISING AND MARKETING ENQUIRIES: TEL: 0141 221 6965 CONTACT: STEVEN BARR steven@mediaworldltd.com

dùsal, a new name with a rich history in hotel bedding

O

ne of the UK’s leading manufacturers of hotel quality bedding, dùsal has been supplying high quality duvet, pillows, toppers, and protectors to hotels and interior designers across the country for almost 30 years.

Dùsal offers an extensive range of natural and synthetic fillings, from duck feather and down, goose feather and down, and premium European duck and goose down to Dacron® Comforel® and Suprelle® Tencel®, all encased in high-quality 100% cotton fabrics.

A family-owned business formerly known as Euroquilt, their new name dùsal is Gaelic for nap, doze or slumber, and is exactly what they hope your guests will experience from their products!

Because they hold stock of filling and cases they also have the flexibility to produce bespoke sizes, and their popular zip and link products offer hotels the agility required when determining room usage.

Based in Fife, dùsal believes in manufacturing products made from only the finest components and finished to exacting standards, pillows, duvets, and toppers are piped and double-stitched, and each product is inspected upon completion before despatch.

All products are made to order and manufactured here in the UK, and with a highly skilled team of people who put time and care into each and every product, you can be sure of that personal service that is sometimes forgotten.

Their friendly team are on hand to guide you through product selections or to answer any questions you have.

Visit www.dusal.co.uk or call 01592 782873 to find out more.