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.