Work on Raasay House to commence next month

The team at Raasay House, who have been operating from the Borrodale House Hotel since the fire early last year, have announced that the design stage for the rebuild of Raasay House and the required demolition work is now complete.

Work will begin on rebuilding the property in April and the end result will be a new steel framed building erected inside the beautiful old stone walls. The large downstairs rooms, with open fires, large windows and fabulous views will be back and second and third floor bedrooms will be positioned much as before. The estimated date for completion is autumn 2011 with a grand opening planned for spring 2012.

In the meantime, the team has announced a number of special events for Easter weekend including a quiz, giant easter egg hung and guided walks. See http://www.raasay-house.co.uk/ for more details.

Outdoor Spectacular Planned at Eilean Donan this month

Bodycurrents – a dance project taking place across Highland region – is pleased to announce that the main performance event for the Skye & Lochalsh area will take place at Eilean Donan Castle on Fri 19th and Sat 20th March.

This outdoor dance spectacular is entitled “WaterForce” and will feature performances from:

• Skye & Lochalsh Community Dance Groups
• bodycurrents Professional Dancers
• Cuillin Fools Aerialists

The event will close with a fantastic ceilidh which is open to everyone.

Come along to this unique event to see this new work, specially choreographed by our bodycurrents dance artists and community participants during the project in Skye & Lochalsh.

For further information about this unique outdoor dance experience, contact the Skye & Lochalsh Dance Catalysts, Alex Emerson and Lorayne McLucas or visit bodycurrents

aemerson@eden-court.co.uk

01478 611662 or 07502 437071

lmclucas@eden-court.co.uk

01478 611622 or 07763 473886

Tourism Leaflet Swap | Clan Donald Skye

Following on from last year’s successful ‘Leaflet Swap’ event held at Clan Donald Skye the event has been repeated on Thursday 11th March, and we are pleased to say that once again it has been a resounding success. We thank everyone who came a made it a special day.

As well as providing an opportunity to find out what other businesses are doing, the Leaflet Swap saved many businesses a lot of time and money – rather than having to drive around the district distributing their promotional leaflets, business owners did this in one place at the one time.

The event ran from 11am-2pm with a meagre cost of £10, which included a light lunch and refreshments. This charge covered attendance for up to two people per business -any extra persons from the same business were asked to pay £7.50 extra.

In addition to the networking potential, the event also include a couple of short talks on tourism related issues.

David MacDonald, manager at Clan Donald Skye and a member of the Skye and Lochalsh Tourism Forum steering group said: “Last year we had over 50 businesses attending the Leaflet Swap and feedback was that they felt it was a great success and a good opportunity to meet other local businsses. We hope that this year’s event brought the same rewards and will prove to be  will be even more successful in the future. All we ask is that you continue to support us.

We thank the Clan Donald Centre for once again hosting the event at Armadale and to those who generously supported us by providing both the food and drink.

Space was limited and was allocated on a first come-first served basis. Leaflets were to be bound into small bundles of around 50 to make distribution easier.

All proceeds went to the Skye and Lochalsh Tourism Forum, a not for profit organisation which comprises local businesses from all corners of Skye and Lochalsh, representing every tourism sector. The forum is free to join and new members are welcome.

We thank you for your support.

Harbour View Seafood Restaurant

Harbour View Seafood Restaurant opened on the 23rd of March. This year we have as Chef, Catherine Bailey. We are now into our second complete month of the year.

There appear to be less visitors about at present and all the Restaurants are competing for a smaller market. Let us hope we will ride the situation and see more visitors soon.

For those of you who visit and dine here you might like to know that you will be waited upon by either Siobhan, Ali or Richard. You may also meet Clare. We have two KP’s who share the work load. If you wish to meet the Chef then ask and providing she is not too busy she may be able to come out and speak to you.

If you have a special dietary  requirement then we will do our uttmost to make your dining experience a comfortable one. Fore-warning may be the word here, If you intend to dine with us then advise us of youir dietary requirement when you book the table.

We wish every other business in Skye and Lochalsh a successful season.

First Michelin star for Skye

In a glittering year for one of Scotland’s best-loved hotels, Kinloch Lodge have been awarded a Michelin star for its food, the first Michelin star to be awarded in Skye.

This prestigious award signals the culinary experience is outstanding. Measured by numerous inspections throughout each year, Michelin looks for consistency and an intelligent, imaginative and dedicated commitment to quality and flavour.

Marcello Tully, head-chef, said “We’re delighted to have been awarded a Michelin star, it is the ultimate accolade for any chef.  We’ve worked very hard together as a team in the three years since I’ve joined to develop an exciting, imaginative and diverse menu that, above all, celebrates the exceptional quality of the local produce we have on our doorstep.

This is a wonderful recognition of all our efforts and builds on Kinloch’s renowned and celebrated culinary heritage.  In particular I would like to thank my superb sous chef, Andrew Maclugash”.
 
In addition to the Michelin Star, Kinloch retained their Red Grape award for it wine list. Kinloch introduced their unique wine, whisky and beer flights in to accompany each course in 2008. The flights are carefully tailored to complement and enhance the particular flavours of each dish and have been exceptionally popular.

Kinloch Lodge has long been a focus for exceptional accommodation and fantastic food with world renowned, award-winning cook and food writer, Claire Macdonald and her husband Godfrey at its helm for the past 37 years. Their daughter Isabella and her husband Tom Eveling joined the team in 2002 and have since devoted their time and energy to managing the business, conducting a comprehensive redesign and bringing it to new levels of singular quality.

Marcello Tully joined the team as head chef in 2007 and has been developing the already outstanding menu to create a fine dining experience to rival the very best in the UK. 
 
Claire Macdonald comments “Michelin’s star is a testament to the fantastic work being carried out by Marcello and his team at Kinloch Lodge. They work tirelessly throughout the year to ensure every guest’s stay is truly memorable, so to be given this recognition by Michelin is heart warming and truly wonderful.”

Fergus Watson of Highlands and Islands Enterprise, who has been working with Kinloch Lodge Hotel on their development plans for growing the business over the next three years, congratulated them on the achievement.  “It is a first class example of what innovative businesses with a strong customer focus can achieve.

Kinloch Lodge’s passion for food is world renowned. The coveted award is well deserved recognition for Marcello and the team’s work.  It is another example of how Highlands and Island’s businesses constantly raise the bar in the food and drink, and tourism sectors,” he said.

Kinloch Lodge + Talisker join forces

Two of Skye’s best known brands come together to launch new whisky bar

The team at one of Scotland’s best-loved hotels Kinloch Lodge is delighted to announce their fabulous new whisky bar Kinloch’s Talisker Bar which was launched with a timely Burns night feast, prepared by Michelin star chef, Marcello Tully.

It has been a glittering start to the year for Kinloch Lodge, who were awarded the first Michelin star on Skye at the start of the year. The new bar is an exciting addition to the hotel and the team are delighted to be collaborating alongside Skye’s only malt whisky producer, Talisker, who have part funded the project.

Claire Macdonald commented: “This is an exciting collaboration which signals the start of a fantastic relationship with one of Skye’s best loved brands”

Kinloch adds this news to an exciting start to 2010, when in January they were delighted receive a Michelin Star for their food and retain their Red Grape award for its wine list. Kinloch introduced their unique wine, whisky and beer flights to accompany each course in 2008. The flights are carefully tailored to complement and enhance the particular flavours of each dish and have been exceptionally popular. Guests can now retire after dinner to Kinloch’s Talisker Bar to savour the aroma and flavours that the island has become renowned for.

Dunvegan Castle roof repairs go ahead

The MacLeod Estate is pleased to announce that the first phase of works to repair and renew Dunvegan Castle’s lead roof will begin on 1st February 2010, thanks to a £598,000 grant from Historic Scotland and a £100,000 loan from Highland Opportunity Ltd.

The balance of the estimated £1.1 million cost will be funded by the MacLeod Estate by taking on very high debt levels in its effort to secure this vital historic building for the community and future generations to enjoy.

The firm awarded this prestigious contract is D.Blake & Co Ltd of Edinburgh and the scheduled works are due to be completed in December 2010. During these essential works, Dunvegan Castle & Gardens will be open to the public from the 1st April to the 15th October 2010 as advertised.

Although this is very good news for Dunvegan and the Isle of Skye, the MacLeod Estate continues to face a serious challenge in maintaining the fabric of this historic castle while continuing to play an important role within the community, both as an employer and contributor to the island’s tourist industry.

The MacLeod Estate is hopeful that Highland & Islands Enterprise will provide financial assistance towards the £1.1 million total project cost, recognising the vital role that the castle and its associated businesses play in supporting the island’s tourist industry. So far, however, that assistance has not been forthcoming. Dunvegan Castle is at the heart of the 42,000 acre MacLeod Estate.

As the ancestral home of the Chief of clan MacLeod for 800 years, it is a major tourist attraction and key driver of economic growth on the Isle of Skye, acting as a magnet for over one hundred thousand visitors every year.

Dunvegan Castle underpins both the community and local economy of North West Skye and is well known throughout the world. It is also one of the largest providers of private sector employment and has a strong track record of investing in this fragile economic area.