White Christmas - White New Year, White 2010 - Happy White New Year, all the best for 1020.

Well they got a White Christmas and a winter wonderland but sad to say it has now gone on long enough and we would like to get back to some sense of normality.

The New Year party at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel was a great success although I was away on holiday - all reports from food, company, entertainment, weather, fireworks and staff were brilliant and so congratulations to everybody for making it such a ball.

The Street Party in Drumnadrochit also went well and Fraser and Jackie were running the bar.
It was a bitterly cold night so well done to the organisers and the brave souls who came out to celebrate the New Year.
...Considering the 'big party' in Inverness with the 'Red Hot Chili Pipers' was cancelled - it's all the more of an achievement for Drumnadrochit - Loch Ness.

Although the hotel is closed for some refurbishment - the coffee shop and gift shop is open every day. So if you are on the A82 and fancy a stop in this wintery wonderland - give us a call and Lilian or Emma will be delighted to serve you a really good coffee and home made cheese scone - yummy!!

- Chase away these winter blues this spring - THINK SUMMER! Book now for that well deserved break.

Rory and Anna are on their annual holiday with a break in Thailand and then onto Rory's home in Australia to see his folks - well deserved after a really hard season.

Remember the snow hopefully won't last forever so go on to our website and start planning for 2010.

- Have a Healthy - Wealthy New Year
Yours aye
Willie

Well that's the first big party of the season over with, last Friday we hosted 80 members and friends from Glenurquhart Shinty Club for their annual dinner dance and prize giving. It really went very well and everybody had a ball if not a few sore heads the next day.

Some stalwarts who were playing on then Saturday had to be admired for sticking to soft drinks and water throughout the night - I congratulate them.
And unfortunately the late night must have effected them as they were beaten 4-0. However the team had a great season and our congratulations go to David Menzies and Billy MacLean who steered them to some great victories. Enjoy your retirement boys and we look forward to another successful season under new management.

This week we have the GLENURQUHART LADIES CLUB on Thursday followed by CULLODEN ROTARY on Saturday under the watchful eye of the organiser of all event type things Mr Ritchie Paxton - we extend a warm welcome to you all.


The Christmas trees arrived yesterday and Rory has been busy stacking them for onward sale to customers and locals alike - so if you want that real Christmas tree, come along to the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel ans we will kindly oblige.

Just heard today that the hotel is now full for New Year and so the party will go with a swing and 2010 will be brought in here at Loch Ness with all you lovely people having the time of your life. - Sadly I won't be there to join you as I am in Austria for a pre arranged family get-together but may I take this opportunity to wish you a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Finally for all you guys out there who want to book a group trip in 2010 - the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel is the best base you could choose for touring the Highlands. Everything from the ideal 'morning coffee stop', 'lunch', 'afternoon tea' and 'dinner' as well as shopping, cruising, golfing, fishing and lots of other outdoor activities.
So if you want to organise a group booking give us a ring on 01456 450326 - and remember 2010 is just around the corner.

All the best
Willie

Visit Scotland have launched their 'Winter White' campaign to attract visitors to Scotland over the next few months. We wish them well and here at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel we are open until the beginning of January, closed for maintenance then re-open on the 5th February. We welcome you all most sincerely.

Come and sample 'Winter Walking' in Glen Affric and if there is snow then skiing or snow boarding either at Cairngorm or Aonoch Mor.

If 'down-hill' seems a bit adventurous try some Nordic cross-country skiing - very exhilarating and a great way to see the country side. For those of you wanting an early Christmas feeling, Inverness is the place to be to see the fantastic Christmas lights switched on last Sunday night.
Also the Ness Islands on the river is lit up in a winter extraveganzza.

The other big event before Christmas is of course St Andrews Day (November 30th) - a celebration of Scotland's patron saint. There are a lot of activities taking place all over the country to mark the end of the 'Year of Homecoming' - so check the various websites to see what's on.

The official opening of the archive centre in Inverness took place yesterday with the opening undertaken by Prince Edward / Earl of Wessex who looked absolutely splendid in his kilt and tweed jacket. A fine young man with an excellent sense of humour and COBB'S had the privilege of catering for all the guests with our outside catering division. This was a great success with wonderful finger food prepared by our chefs David and Christopher - the very best of Highland produce Beef from Stuart Grant, Grantown on Spey, Smoked Salmon from Aultbea, and a large variety of smoked Highland meats.
The centre piece was a wonderful display of cheeses from the Connage Organic Highland Dairy - SMOKED DUNLOP, GOUDA, CROWDIE and CLAVA an organic Brie style cheese. This was served with artisan breads and Highland oatcakes accompanied by quince jelly, apple jelly and greengage preserve - however the piece de' resistance was Cobb's wonderful mini desserts lovingly prepared by Fraser himself - Gluten Free CHOCOLATE BROWNIES served with whipped cream, mini CRANNACHAN PAVLOVA which contained fresh raspberries, cream and BRUADAR liqueur and the finest of Highland Heather Honey, MINI SHORTBREAD STARS tiered with whipped lemon cream - to die for!

So remember - if you can't come to one of Cobb's restaurants or Coffee Shops just give us a call and we can come and cater at your event.

Don't forget our Christmas parties and New Years celebrations!

Finally, the other big attraction in the Highlands this winter is MERCEDES the POLAR BEAR at the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingcraig.
So get away from it all, wrap up well, a drop of mulled wine, some mince meat pies and a winter adventure awaits you here at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel.

Inverness film festival takes off this week with the climax on Sunday 15th with the premier of a film shot here in Glen Affric. The viking story 'Valhalla Rising'. This is a 'must' for movie buffs with all showings happening at Eden Court.
We here at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel give you an ideal spot for basing yourself as we are on the right side of the city for the Theatre.

Another busy week with old friends and new ones staying here. We were delighted to welcome back Scott Wardlaw with his wife and son, up for a couple of days. They are frequent visitors and it was a pleasure to have them return.
We've also had guests from Australia, USA, France and Italy so Loch Ness is still a big attraction. So much so I have done two radio shows in the last two weeks - the first one was to 'Jackson Hole' in Wyoming and the second to ABC Adelaide with the Loch Ness Story for their breakfast listeners. The new John Sargent travel programme on TV will also feature his trip to Loch Ness so look out for it on ITV 8.00pm on Tuesday - a great guy, very entertaining who I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with last years Chambers of Commerce Dinner in Inverness.
- So Loch Ness is never very far from the medias attention.

After watching Loch Ness in John's new programme just get on that computer and book ahead to come up and see what everyone is talking about. Great deals are on offer from now till the end of the year.
Have that break before the festive season is upon us and sample good honest fresh air here in the Highlands followed by an excellent meal in our restaurant. The food just gets better and better.
Last night Christopher prepared pan fried Monkfish tails served with mildly curried spicy lentils. It was superb and well favoured by our guests. Just what you need on a cold Autumn night and don't forget a glass of Pinot Grigio to wash it down!

Sliante
Willie Cameron