JOIN IN THE CRERAR450 CHALLENGE FOR HIT

Crerar Hotels Chief Executive and HIT Trustee Chris Wayne-Wills, will be cycling the Crerar450 route – a total of more than 450 miles – to raise funds for the hospitality industry and he is calling out for industry friends and colleagues to join him.

Chris and David Cochrane, Chief Executive of Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland were the first to sign up to the ‘HIT the Crerar450’ fundraising challenge starting from Balmoral Arms in Ballater and covering all of the Crerar Hotels and sister hotel Dunkeld House Hotel in Perthshire.

The challenge was officially launched at the HIT Scotland’s Discovery Dinner in Dundee with the 17th of September revealed as the cyclists starting date. The aim is to complete the charity challenge within 6 consecutive days.

All the money raised from the ‘HIT the Crerar450’ challenge will go towards providing empowering inspirational development to those studying or working in the hospitality industry in Scotland.

Chris and colleagues will begin from the Balmoral Arms in Ballater and visit Thainstone House Hotel in Inverurie, Golf View Hotel in Nairn, The Glencoe Inn, Oban Bay Hotel, the Isle of Mull Hotel, Loch Fyne Hotel in Inveraray and Dunkeld House Hotel before returning to the Balmoral Arms in Ballater to complete the route. Anyone is welcome to join Chris and David for all or part of the route and help raise valuable funds for HIT Scotland.

The challenge is also available virtually for those unable to make the live event but looking to participate and raise funds for HIT. Fundraisers can choose to walk, jog, run, cycle, row or swim to clock up the 450 miles throughout the week individually or by joining as a team.

Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, said, “Since launching the highly popular Crerar450 route, it’s been a goal of mine to add a fundraising element to help support the incredible work that HIT Scotland does across our industry.

“Not only are we keen to raise as much money as possible for HIT Scotland, it is also a brilliant team building challenge and helps puts the focus on health and wellbeing. We’re hoping many of our colleagues and friends within the industry will take part either for a leg of the challenge or indeed virtually – after all the benefits are endless.”

David Cochrane, CEO of HIT Scotland, said, “People are key to hospitality and tourism. This cycling challenge will be a real test of endurance, although we will be travelling through some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Ultimately, through our efforts, we will be raising funds for HIT’s inspirational scholarship programme and this will keep our wheels turning until we hit the finishing line!”

The challenge is inspired by the Scottish hotel group’s Crerar450 road trip – a route which takes in all 450 miles between all seven, fourand five-star Crerar Hotels properties. To join the challenge please email events@hitscotland. co.uk or to donate visitjustgiving.com/campaign/ crerar450.

Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts to open a new golf property in Scotland

The company behind Rusacks St Andrews, Marine North Berwick and the Marine Troon, Marine & Lawns Hotels & Resorts, is getting ready to open its fourth hotel in Scotland - Dornoch Station in Dornoch, as well as a hotel in County Down in Northern Ireland. Owners, Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts a company set up two years ago when Adventurous Journeys (AJ) Capital Partners launched Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts, has already refurbished its first three properties and has now turned its attention to its two new properities which are currently undergoing renovations. They will relaunch this year with updated guest rooms, public spaces and food and beverage concepts.

The Dornoch Hotel was acquired in November 2022 and, following a comprehensive renovation, will relaunch as Dornoch Station this summer, marking the fifth hotel in the Marine & Lawn collection. Situated in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Dornoch Station is just a short distance from the first tee of Royal Dornoch Golf Club and the property is being repositioned as Dornoch Station Hotel, honouring the hotel’s original name dating back to 1902, the Station Hotel.

The hotel will feature 89 spacious guest rooms and all new public spaces .