Christmas at The Castle

The Ultimate Exclusive Use for Christmas and Hogmany at Mingary Castle

Mingary Castle, a restaurant with rooms and one of Scotland’s most unique exclusive-use venues, has announced its lavish Christmas and Hogmanay offer. Perched on a picturesque promontory on the west coast of Scotland on Ardnamurchan Estate, the 13th-century castle is offering up an unrivalled festive experience this winter.

With majestic views of the Atlantic Ocean from its original battlements and 360-degree views of the peninsula, four beautifully designed suites can accommodate up to 10 guests for the ultimate private winter getaway over Christmas and Hogmanay. Take over the castle for your own exclusive use and enjoy a Champagne welcome, entertainment to wow and, if you really want to impress, arrive in style by flying into the on-site helipad, plus there’s a private firework display for Hogmanay.

Spoil yourself with tailored menus from two AA rosette ChefPatron Colin Nicholson on hand to create impressive dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner to wow using the finest ingredients from the West of Scotland. Fruit, vegetables, and herbs are sourced from the local community garden, fish is sourced from Tobermory Fish Co and Iain Stewart’s in Fort William, and Highland-based Great Glen Charcuterie is used for cured meats.

The hand-carved four poster beds, laden with Scottish wool blankets, goose feathered pillows and duvets will be primed and plumped for guests to rest their heads. Across the suites, Italian marble bathrooms are fitted with William Holland rolltop baths or walk-in showers and underfloor heating. In the McCain suite, guests can enjoy a private balcony with stunning views over to the Isle of Mull. The castle is also dog-friendly with opulent beds fit for kings to curl up in front of the fire.

This year, enjoy the opulence of Mingary Castle’s dramatic exterior and windswept location with a truly one-of-a-kind luxurious Christmas and Hogmanay experience nestled in a fortress steeped in Scottish history.

Exclusive Use for 10 guests

Immerse yourself in a traditional, cosy festive setting at Mingary Castle with all the trimmings. For four nights, 10 guests can enjoy a magical, fully serviced stay with a friendly team on hand to make it one to remember. or champagne with homemade mince pies to settle in by the log fire. During the stay, General Manager Jessica Thomson will be available to organise activities, entertainment or whatever the party desire.

Custom gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner menus will be created by 2 AA rosette chef-patron, Colin Nicholson with any preferences or requirements using local and seasonal produce.

Included in the package is clay pigeon shooting with Alistair Brooke from Scotland’s Outdoor Centre on Christmas Eve.

Exclusive use: 23rd December – 27th December 2022 £11,000

Hogmanay at Mingary Castle (Exclusive use for 10 guests)

Celebrate Hogmanay surrounded by the opulence of Mingary Castle. Three nights of luxury will be co-ordinated by General Manager Jessica Thomson and Chef-Patron Colin Nicholson for 10 guests.

On arrival, complimentary Champagne will be served with homemade savouries and baking to be enjoyed by the cosy fire. Gourmet breakfast, lunch and dinner menus will be designed to suit the party’s preferences with extra-special touches using local and seasonal produce from 2 AA rosette Chef-Patron, Colin Nicholson.

On New Year’s Eve, a feast will be prepared to celebrate in style including a 6-course tasting menu with paired wines and champagne. Guests can enjoy an impressive fireworks display over the castle with a piper to welcome 2023 in with a bang.

During the stay, Jessica will be on-hand to organise activities and entertainment including a wholesome New Year’s Day walk around the peninsula and Sanna Bay or follow Scottish tradition with a wild swim in the sea. Included in the package is clay pigeon shooting with Alistair Brooke from Scotland’s Outdoor Centre on New Year’s Day.

Exclusive use: 30th December – 2nd January - £10,500

For more information or to book, visit

www.mingarycastle.co.uk

We Heard it Through The Grapevine, The Commitments are Coming to Town

It is 35 years since The Commitments first burst from the pages of Roddy Doyle’s best-selling novel. The world's hardest working and most explosive soul band are set to return in an all new stage production, kicking off a huge nine month tour that comes to Milton Keynes this month (24 - 29 October 2022).

This major UK and Ireland tour of the smash-hit musical will star Coronation Street legend Nigel Pivaro, who appeared in the hugely popular ITV soap between 1983 – 2012 as the lovable rogue Terry Duckworth. He will be swapping the cobbles for the stage and performing the role of ‘Da’ in this all-new production.

Nigel Pivaro says: “I am thrilled to be marking my return to the stage in this production of The Commitments. It's an iconic story that resonates across the years, about people who though distant from the music's origins find communion and expression in the Motown style. A musical genre which was borne out of oppression and which the characters embrace as their own. The Motown Sound is as vibrant today as it was when it first burst through in the Sixties.”

Roddy Doyle added: “I'm delighted that The Commitments are coming back in 2022 & 2023 and I'm particularly looking forward to seeing how Nigel Pivaro tackles the part of Jimmy Rabbitte's Da.” This new tour for 2022/23 is directed by Andrew Linnie. Andrew made his West End debut in the original production in 2013, playing the role of Dean, the band’s sax player. He then went on to star in the lead role of Jimmy Rabitte in the 2016/2017 UK tour.

Joining the cast as Deco is Olivier Award nominee Ian McIntosh. Ian is no stranger to this role, having previously played Alternate Deco during the original West End run. Previous credits include Galileo in the UK tour of We Will Rock You, Sid Worley in An Officer and a Gentleman and he was Olivier nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Musical’ for his role as Barry in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. His extensive musical career has also seen him perform in Hair and Can’t Buy Me Love.

In 2013 The Commitments musical opened in London’s West End to universal critical acclaim and enjoyed a record-breaking two-year residency at the Palace Theatre. After which, it hit the road for a major tour, invigorating audiences up and down the country throughout 2016 and 2017.

The Commitments musical has been adapted from the novel by Booker prize-winning author Roddy Doyle. Featuring an electric playlist, The Commitments showcases more than 20 soul classics performed live on stage, including Night Train, Try A Little

Tenderness, River Deep, Mountain High, In The Midnight Hour, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Save Me, Mustang Sally, I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Thin Line Between Love and Hate, Reach Out, Uptight, Knock On Wood, I Can't Turn You Loose and many more!

It tells the story of Jimmy Rabbitte, a young working-class music fan, who transforms an unlikely bunch of amateur musicians into an amazing live act, which becomes the finest soul band Dublin has ever produced. Placing a classified advert in a music paper, Jimmy auditions a number of wannabes before finalising the members of his new band, which he names ‘The Commitments’. their instruments, grappling with inter-group differences as they muddle their way through early rehearsals for the band’s first gig. Just as they improve and begin to get a name for themselves, they combust. The backing singers are more interested in the middle-aged horn playing legend, the singer has entered Eurovision, the drummer has walked out mid-gig and the saxophone player has dangerous leanings towards a jazz career.

It's time to hop on the ‘night train’ and have a fabulously fun-filled night.

The Commitments plays at Milton Keynes Theatre from Monday 24th to Saturday 29th October. Tickets are available from www.atgtickets.com/MiltonKeynes