August is still very busy. As well as having a pretty full hotel, we have the catering facility at Scotland’s Housing Expo 2010 which is going really well with over 20,000 visitors as I write. We also cater for crews and guests that fly into Inverness on their private planes, many of whom are attending pop festivals or coming for the grouse shooting season which started on 12th August. Of course people come to us for many reasons including fishing parties and golfing groups so you can imagine August has been ‘mega’. Our thanks go to all the staff at Signature and the chefs here at the Clansman for pulling off some amazing delivery deadlines.

The Housing Expo continues until 31st August and believe you me it is worth a visit - a tremendous insight into the latest building materials and techniques. A great coup for Highland Council in having the foresight to pull this one off, and our congratulations to Fiona Hampton and her amazing team in putting it all together.

The next big thing in the Loch Ness diary is the Loch Ness Film Festival. Scotland’s newest film festival, taking place from 23rd to 26th September 2010, showcases short films from talented and new film makers with feature films, live music and entertainment. The Clansman is one of the venues along with Abriachan Village Hall, the Craigmonie Centre and the Steading Bar in Glenurquhart. Congratulations are due to our dear friend Willie Doig (The Murphy Brothers) and his son Andrew and friends for pulling this event together. Please give us a ring if you want to book accommodation for that weekend. And don’t forget that we also have Loch Ness Country House Hotel and many other contacts for B&B.

This coming weekend is the Glenurquhart Highland Games in the village of Drumnadrochit - a must for all visitors in the area and at night enjoy dinner and a ceilidh at Cobbs Restaurant here at The Clansman. Immerse yourself with the locals at play! Quite an experience.

We welcome back our Dutch guests this month and I will certainly enjoy taking them on our trip to Skye and Eilean Donan Castle.

Anyway, it’s still busy so I must get on. Remember where we are for that getaway break or just a quiet supper with friends.

Craic from the Clansman has now returned after a short rest period. Although the weather has not been brilliant, and the BBQ summer promised to us has not materialised, business in May, June and July has been excellent. As always, people from all over the world descended on Loch Ness this year with the usual high profile events taking place which both gives added PR to the area and great publicity.

RockNess in June was brilliant and we welcomed the whole team from Strongbow Cider who were great fun. John and Sarah did a brilliant job ferrying the team back and forth from the Clansman Harbour to Dores beach. The event was a one off and thrilling experience. Also the time to cross the loch in good conditions was only 10 minutes. We welcome them all back next year.

As always the standard of food in Cobbs Restaurant is complimented by nearly all our guests, and this year Head Chef West has been aided by Chris Crombie, who has brought additional culinary flair to our kitchen – we welcome him aboard.

This month is going very well with our acquisition, through a new management company, of Loch Ness Country House Hotel (formerly Dunain Park Hotel). We wish this venture all success and hope it will compliment our present portfolio. Visit the website www.lochnesscountryhousehotel.co.uk for further details.

Other activities this month include catering for Scotland’s Housing Expo 2010 at Milton of Leys, outside Inverness. The first time this has happened in the U.K. and is well worth visiting where you can see at first hand the future of housing on our planet with all the latest building and energy saving techniques. So pop along and see your dream house and enjoy a light lunch and some of our home baking at Cobbs Coffee shop on site.

We are still very much involved in the wedding business and our PA Jane MacDonald will be delighted to assist with your requirements.

There are still some great deals on the loch at Laterooms.com and Booking.com, plus our own website, so treat yourself to that short break in August, September or October. Don’t forget to ask about our 3-for-2 autumn offer. It might not be BBQ weather but could be very pleasant with the spectacular scenery combined with the perfect autumnal colours.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our establishments.

Drop us an e-mail or give us a ring.

Well that's another event on the Loch Ness Clansman calender over with. However if you missed our WEDDING FAYRE this week and are still looking for information and ideas for that special day, please contact Jane Fraser, our wedding organiser here at the hotel. She will be able to point you in the right direction and recommend the excellent exhibitors that were here yesterday.

Next item on the social calender is MOTHERS DAY on the 14th March 2010. Hopefully the snow and adverse weather conditions will be away by then and at least a hint of spring will be in the air, anything to wipe away these winter blues.

It certainly has been a long and arduous period since the week before Christmas.

It's an ill wind, so congratulations to our hospitality colleagues at the Scottish Ski Resorts who are experiencing their best season in years. In fact, last week Glen Coe was voted the top ski resort for fresh snow and conditions in the world - well done!

Here at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel, we are all waiting in anticipation - the return of our erstwhile leader Rory Cameron general manager and director who will be returning to these shores on or about the 11th March. After a long break with his folks in Australia we are hoping Rory will come back totally refreshed with lots of new ideas to make you, our guests your stay with us even better.

Rory's timing is always 'bang on' arriving back at Loch Ness 4 days before the trout fishing season starts - and as we know, Loch Ness is famous for its brown trout, very large ferrox trout and other large mysterious things.

So if you're looking for a day out that's different why not book the hotel boat - 'TIME BANDIT' with our own ghillie Alex, a great local story teller - wrap up well - nice pack lunch - and all your fishing and safety equipment supplied. Then back to the hotel, where our head chef Dave West will cook your catch to suit your requirements.
How about fresh grilled trout with caper butter set on crushed potatos and leeks, served with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc - yes - the end of a perfect day - 'tight lines'!

However, if fishing is not your bag and you're more into a leisurely stroll round the golf course, we've just tied up a great deal with TORVEAN GOLF CLUB only 5 miles from the hotel on the A82 on the outskirts of Inverness.
If you're one of our guests and book your golf in advance, the charge for a round is only £20 - what a deal! LET'S TEE OFF!

Well that's the season started for all at the Loch Ness Clansman Hotel, with the hotel re-opening on 5th February.
The first big event of 2010 is Valentines weekend and already the bookings are pouring in. So there are still plenty of romantic people out there!
So for that romantic dinner overlooking Loch Ness with an overnight stay - get in touch with us. Then enjoy a great deal with Jacobite Cruises of a trip down Loch Ness for the special Clansman Valentines deal of £5.00 - what a lovely way to spend that special week-end.

If everything goes well that weekend, you may want to take your romance further - well here at the Clansman we have an answer for that!
On 28th February - two weeks after Valentines, we have our annual Wedding Fayre organised by our wedding co-ordinator and marketing manger Jane Fraser.

So do come along - have a coffee, have baking, a bite of lunch and have your queries answered together with a chat to our extensive range of exhibitors.

Once you have all the wedding arrangements tied up, how about treating your Mum and/or Mum-in-law to a special lunch on Mothers Day (14th March 2010).

As you can see we have all the angles covered and to to add a little bit of extra fun, check out our website and have a go at our competition to win a Weekend Break for 2.

Yes...love id definitely in the air and on the Loch!