Beauly, Dingwall, Loch Ness and the Black Isle Explore Scotland – what has changed? Inverness Newsletter 2012 Twelve months have passed since we last communicated through our Start of Season Newsletters and much has changed.
We now have 11 Explore area Guides, covering the following areas:-
April 2012
Explore Scotland Ltd 01796 473335 Good luck to us all in the 2009 Tourist Season. In the year of The Homecoming
The newsletter • Gives you the latest Inverness tourist business news • Written by the businesses themselves
Aberdeen
Ayrshire & Arran
Glasgow
Highland Perthshire
Inside this issue: Article
page
Explore Scotland
1
Explore Scotland What has Changed?
2
Cawdor Castle
3
Highland Aviation Museum
4
Crazy Horse Coffee Shop & Restaurant
4
Crazy Horse Coffee Shop & Restaurant
5
Kushi Adventures
5
Maya Chocolates
6
FaceBook to be …..
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Inverness
Inverurie
Loch Lomond & Trossachs Oban and Mull
Watch this space!! Dumfries & Galloway to follow Outer Hebrides
St Andrews & East Fife 1
Stirling & Falkirk
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Explore Inverness Tourism Newsletter 2012
Explore Scotland — Website has changed! user friendly way to encourage them to stay longer – so why not send a link to your www.Explore-Inverness.com
Explore web sites.
web site? With e.mail bookings
One accommodation provider told us her average stay was over 4 nights, when the area average was just under 2 nights. She attributed this to providing them our Explore Guides with the confirmation of booking. She also said “Quite often people do not realise how much there is to do and see here, and often wished they had allowed more time in their schedule.” We have just completed the complete overhaul of the Explore web sites, using the latest technology available to maximise the impact and ease of use for visitors. New features on ExploreScotland.net:Click on the interactive map to see the summary information on each area. Transport section – includes the latest ‘Traffic Updates’ from Traffic Scotland. Also on the Transport section –the latest Travel information Tweets from ‘Traffic Scotland’ ‘Travel Line’ and ‘Transport Scotland’ so you have one page you can check for all the traffic news.
New features on Explore area web sites:“Your Trip” planner – we believe is quite unique, it allows visitors to choose things they are interested in and drop them into their basket. They can then e-mail this or print off and bring it with them when they visit. We know from accommodation providers, that if they can give their guests a link to the information on the website – guests will often extend their stay when they realise how much there is available to see and do in the area. Our new web sites have been designed to help give visitors information in a 2
What’s On section – you can add events to this section there is no charge. Daily News Sheet – this is designed for accommodation providers to print off each morning – they contain the weather forecast, news headlines, What’s On events for
This is the Website to be ‘Seen On’ If you are interested in your business being included, please contact info@ExploreScotland.net Or phone 01796 473335
March/April 2012
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Cawdor Castle estries, furniture and books in the castle. Beautiful gardens, nature trails, 9-hole golf course, snack bar and picnic area, gift shop, wool shop and new Highland shop make a day at Cawdor fun for the whole family, topped off by some delicious Scottish Fayre and home baking the Courtyard Café.
Cawdor Castle
Major events include Gardens Weekends on 2nd/3rd June and tic collections of paintings, tap- 18th/19th August; an RHS Gar-
Cawdor Castle, for over 600 years the traditional home of the Thanes of Cawdor, is “Cawdor has a today the magical name home of the linked with Dowager Macbeth by Countess Cawdor. The Shakespeare” most romantic Castle in the Highlands, it has a magical name linked with Macbeth by Shakespeare. The medieval tower and drawbridge are intact and generations of art lovers are responsible for the eclecdens talk on 19th May; Shakespeare’s Macbeth on 31st May; HMS Pinafore on on 26th July and the BBC Antiques Road Show on 21st June. The date of Living Food, our organic food fair is still to be confirmed. The Castle and gardens are open from 1st May to 30th September, daily from 10am to 5.30pm, with last admission at 5pm.
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Explore Inverness Tourism Newsletter 2012
Highland Aviation Museum Don’t be fooled by our small size the early days of pioneers such as or location on an industrial estate Capt Fresson, to crash sites and as we offer visitors the rare oppor- airfields in the Highlands. Owned tunity to get close up and personal by James Campbell and run by a with aircraft and associated team of enthusiastic volunteers, memorabilia. Described by visitors many of who are ex-service personnel, you will be welas “one of Inverness’ jewels”, the Museum is an at- “climb into a comed as one of the traction that appeals to all jet fighter family to this hands-on and unique experience. ages and is very family oriencockpit ” If you want a special tated. Where else can you Highland Aviation Museum event outside normal climb into a jet fighter cockSaturdays and Sundays 10am – pit or sit at one of the sensor posi- opening hours then we’ll do our 4.30pm (check website for season tions of Nimrod – the Might best to accommodate you. Please opening/ closing times) Hunter. Imagine what it must have contact us either by telephone or been like to fly and operate these through the website to arrange 9 Dalcross Industrial Estate amazing aircraft? A quick visit of this. By Inverness Airport an hour will give you the chance to Inverness clamber into all of the aircraft Highland cockpits, but take a little IV2 7XB longer to Tel: 01667 461100 delve into the internal exwww.highlandaviationmuseum.org.uk hibits and articles from
The Crazy Horse Coffee Shop & Restaurant The Crazy Horse Coffee Shop & Restaurant is centrally located on Invergordon High Street … on the scenic Cromarty Firth Northshore, just 25 spectacular miles north of Inverness.
The Crazy Horse Coffes Shop (formally J.E MacDonalds, Gents Outfitters) is part of a grand building erected in the 19th century and was purchased 8 years
The B817 shore road to Invergordon forms part of the historic Pictish Trail route and is a welcome detour from the A9 ... off the beaten track!
The Crazy Horse Coffee Shop & Restaurant offers traditional Highland Hospitality and service with a smile! The Bistro menu includes old favourites such as home made Steak Pie, Haggis with Neeps & Tatties … as well as lighter snacks and Chefs daily specials! All fayre is prepared in our own kitchen … savour wholesome soups, oven fresh cakes & pastries plus quality ground coffee and speciality teas.
Whilst in town, explore the colourful street murals painted on the facades of buildings which depict the history of the region. Luxury cruise liners visit the port ago and sympathetically reof Invergordon from April to Octo- stored, retaining much of it’s ber – for full details of dates visit original features and character. www.invergordon.info 4
The Crazy Horse Coffee Shop & Restaurant offers a warm & friendly atmosphere and is a regular meeting place for colour-
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Explore Inverness Tourism Newsletter 2012
The Crazy Horse Coffee Shop & Restaurant cont. Crazy Horse Coffee Visitors to the North Highlands of Shop & Restaurant Scotland are welcomed and our 74 High Street, friendly staff offer inside knowlInvergordon IV18 0DL edge of local attractions, street murals and cruise liner visits. We accept payment in “The Crazy Horse Pounds, Euros and Dollars Coffee Shop & and are founder members of Restaurant offers the Invergordon Tourism Allitraditional ance. Highland Hospitality and service with a We look forward to welcomsmile!” ing you! ful local “characters”!
www.spanglesfish.com/ crazyhorsecoffeeshop Tel. 01349 852030
Kushi Adventures Did you know , that within 20 miles • •
of Inverness, you could be •
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canoeing through a gorge, on flat water • •
•
climbing on real rock,
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abseiling views,
with
We have all the kit and the experience to make sure you have a great tempting the loch Ness Montime. Fun and nature are what we ster with your toes from a love. canoe, Whether you want a full or half day, or perhaps a multiday trip Like the Great Glen Canoe Trail or the River Spey, we do it all. kayaking with seals,
We can cater for everyone families, jumping into pools on a gorge unaccompanied youngsters, and adult groups. we don't like age to be walk, a boundary. how about a birthday “What’s your or a stag or hen adventure group. we also have a Going to be?”. camping out on top of a hill or minibus so we can transport clients around. on a riverside,
climbing a Scottish Hill to get as well as supplying activities we fantastic views over the Great hire out canoes and kayaks. Kushi Adventures based in Inverness but supplying activities all over Scotland
spectacular
whats your adventure going to be?
Glen
contact rusell info@kushiadventures.co.uk Kushi Adventures is your one stop weaselling[wiggling] through shop for real adventures in the wild. or 07833 462707 rocks on mini adventure, •
•
learning navigation skills
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Explore Inverness Tourism Newsletter 2012
Maya Belgian Chocolates called “Maya Belgian Chocolates” and the owners, both from Belgium (hence the chocolate), run this great shop. Everything is made on the premises and you can see the Master Chocolatier make all these precious chocolates from within the shop. There is always a huge selection of over 25 different chocolates on display to choose from as well as If you don’t love chocolate, then truffles (you should try that amaretto one!), chocolate bars and read no further. even chocolate smiley Chocolate If you are “There is faces! passionate about it, always a huge There is a choice for evethen Inverness is your selection of ryone. The shop offers a great selection of milk, ‘must go’-destination. over 25 dark and white chocoNear to the city centre different lates with spectacular in between the railway station and the bus sta- chocolates”. fillings. I am a big fan of tion there is Strothers the Strawberry Black Lane. That is where I discovered Pepper and the Tea chocolates. the most amazing chocolates I Cracking, smooth and subtle rehave ever tasted. The place is lease of joy for your taste buds.
But the great classics like Praliné, Vanilla, Caramel and many more are just as lovely! The real aficionado will make sure to ask for the ‘Origin Chocolates’ as these are exceptional. The beans for these chocolates are harvested from selected plantations around the world and are not blended. Pure dark heaven from Venezuela (Araguani), Madagascar (Manjari), Peru (Alick) and others. Hmmmm! Maya Belgian Chocolates 5 Strothers Lane Inverness
Highland Souvenirs
We are a small, local family run souvenir and gift shop. We constantly strive to offer our visitors a unique shopping experience and can safely state that we offer the best service and the most competitively priced gifts
and souvenirs than anyone else with in the city. We are prepared to offer our customers the further assurance of giving them the twice the difference if they see the same item at a lower price anywhere else.
pop in and we will do it at the till. This year we have employed fluent German, Italian and French speakers and I extend to all readers the opportunity to contact Josef at the shop if you feel you might need a translator, even to the extent of working out if your customers want their eggs boiled or scrambled. Just pick up the phone.
We would be happy to help furnish your breakfast rooms with the latest Scottish related coasters, aprons, table mats etc at a 15% discount on production of your relevant business card. Just
In addition to the usual credit card facilities, we are the only retailer in Inverness accepting euro notes and coins for purchases, even giving change in euros!!
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Explore Inverness Tourism Newsletter 2012
Highland Souvenirs cont. We are located opposite Costa coffee on Inglis street and we trade from 9am till 10pm, 7 days a week. I hope we all have a busy season ahead, good luck to Inverness, Martin Highland souvenirs 15 Inglis street IV1 1HN 01463 713 475
Note for 2013! Note for 2013! I must remember to submit an entry for the 2013 Newsletter!! This is FREE advertising, getting your message to all the local businesses, at the start of the new Season. This Space could have been yours!!! Have a great season.
FaceBook to be bigger than Google! All the pundits, indeed Google itself acknowledges that FaceBook will, in the long term be more important than Google. Google tried to buy FaceBook, having failed, launched Google+, their FaceBook equivalent. Any business not on FaceBook is loosing out! FaceBook does not cost anything, other than a small amount of time and organisation each day. If you want to get started on FaceBook we have a sheet we can e-mail you, taking you through the basic steps to get you started. So what is FaceBook – for those not involved? How many of you have read the newspaper horror stories
(remember newspapers have a vested interested in FaceBook not working, as their sales continue to drop). I say ‘A long time ago there was a thing you bought called a newspaper. The paper was full of stories some you were interested in some you were not. Depending on which paper you bought the stories were skewed to the left or to the right. Well today we have FaceBook, you choose what you are interested in and ‘Like’ that business, football team, your local butcher etc. So when they write something on their FaceBook Wall it comes to you, no one twisting the story. You choose what you are interested in and FaceBook does the rest. Your customers will be interested in your 7
business too. FaceBook is an easy affordable way of keeping them up to date. Explore FaceBook – keep up to date with your area news. We now have FaceBook and Twitter and are actively communicating and promoting your area of Scotland. So please join us and lets work together and tell as many people as possible what a great area it is.
http://www.facebook.com/ ExploreInverness