Loch Melfort Hotel Featured in Scottish Field

February 23rd, 2010

The stunning Loch Melfort food is under the spotlight in the March issue of Scottish Field magazine.

The feature focusses on the superb produce Head Chef Colin MacDonald uses to create his award-winning dishes. Fresh crab, lobster and langoustines which are landed a stone’s throw from the hotel, our own seasonal country garden vegetables, and the best in Scottish meat reared along the road are all brought together as the raw ingredients to form dishes and menus which are a major talking point whenever the subject of Loch Melfort Hotel is brought up.

Scottish Field Magazine

Scottish Field Magazine

Also in the featuring are beautiful photos of some of Colin’s delicious dishes such as Roast Rack of Barbreck Lamb, Puy Lentils, Fondant Potato and Balsamic Jus, Seared Sanda Island Scallops, Stornoway Black Pudding with Peas, and Iced Oban Malt Whisky Parfait, Earl Grey Brulee and Granita with Poached Agen Prunes.

Scottish Field is Scotland’s best-selling lifestyle magazine and features quality articles and photographs on the best of Scottish food and drink, wildlife, homes and gardens, social events, and exploring Scotland to name just a few.

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Loch Melfort Hotel Wins National Award for Excellent Social Responsibility

February 1st, 2010

The winners of the 2010 national HRS Hotel Excellence Awards were revealed at a special ceremony in central London this week, and Loch Melfort Hotel was the proud winner of one of the most important awards of the year – the “Excellent Social Responsibility” award.

Hotel professionals and businesses from around the country gathered for a Gala Luncheon on the 27th floor of London’s Millbank Tower to hear the winners announced by tv presenter and travel editor Simon Calder.  The awards recognise excellence in business across all categories of hotel management, and each category winner received a specially designed cut-glass award.

HRS Award for Loch Melfort Hotel

HRS Award for Loch Melfort Hotel

The Excellent Social Responsibility Award (Small Hotel) is given to “a hotel business which can demonstrate best how they had a positive and sustainable impact on the wider community, for example through local ethical sourcing, environmental protection or energy conservation”.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, Loch Melfort’s owner, Calum Ross said “Rachel and I are thrilled to win this award, as it recognises the efforts the whole team at Loch Melfort go to, not just to “go green” and protect the local countryside and wildlife, but also to be at the heart of our community”.  This year has seen the hotel play a central role in the support group for the National Trust for Scotland’s Arduaine Garden, and Calum and Rachel have entered into joint working arrangements with the Garden, providing admission services, planning a series of special events, and promoting NTS membership to visitors.

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Scottish Snowdrop Festival

January 21st, 2010

At this time of year Scotland is awash with white, and it’s not just the snow. Everywhere, snowdrops are appearing; slowly at first, but very soon they will be on display in their full glory, heralding the arrival of Spring.

The Scottish Snowdrop Festival runs from 1 Feb - 15 March as a celebration of this annual natural event. It’s run by Visitscotland in an endeavour to highlight the beauty of the snowdrops and to get people out into nature and feel the magic of the coming of Spring.

Snowdrops at Loch Melfort Hotel

Snowdrops at Loch Melfort Hotel

Nearby Arduaine Garden has excellent displays of snowdrops and its woodlands are carpeted with white flowers. There’s nothing like a relaxing snowdrop walk through gardens or woodland surrounded by these beautiful flowers which only bloom at this time of year, and because of its location on the west coast of Scotland, the climate is influenced by the Gulf Stream and the snowdrops usually appear early.

At Loch Melfort Hotel we also have our own snowdrops. Every year they surround the hotel creating a wonderfully tranquil atmosphere. When you visit the Loch Melfort area don’t be surprised at the abundance of wildlife that coexists with the rich flora and fauna. If you see anything interesting, why not let us know via our Wildlife Diary! We’d love to hear from you.

Spring is on its way!

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New Partnership to Secure Arduaine’s Success

December 22nd, 2009

An innovative new partnership to help promote the National Trust for Scotland’s Arduaine Garden in Argyll has been confirmed by the conservation charity today.

The garden has entered into a joint-working arrangement with the adjacent Loch Melfort Hotel and is also receiving valuable support from the recently established Arduaine Garden Support Group.

Under the new arrangements, the Loch Melfort Hotel can provide admission services as required, and will promote National Trust for Scotland membership to visitors. The hotel is also working in partnership with the garden to hold events that will increase awareness and revenue at Arduaine.

The 122–strong Arduaine Garden Support Group have also played an important role in promoting the garden locally, raising the profile and working to increase visitor numbers.

Both of these relationships have helped to improve the financial prospects for the garden, which had been facing an uncertain future earlier in 2009.

In addition, the Trust will continue with plans to raise funds for a substantial endowment to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the garden. Progress towards this will be reviewed again in 2012.

Chief Executive Kate Mavor said:

“I am convinced that partnership is the key to the Trust’s success in the future and this is well-demonstrated at Arduaine, where we have been overwhelmed by the support offered.

“All of this enthusiasm and creativity has helped us to come up with an approach which is very exciting for the Trust. We hope it will ensure that Arduaine flourishes in the future and that the garden continues to give pleasure to our members, visitors to Argyll and the local community for years to come.”

Chair of the AGSG and proprietor of the Loch Melfort Hotel Calum Ross said:

“This is great news for all concerned and a massive vote of confidence in the new partnership that we have created and put into practice in recent weeks. The Loch Melfort Hotel and Arduaine Garden Support Group are fully committed to working with the Trust in every way possible to ensure the long-term future of the garden.“

Anyone interested in supporting Arduaine Garden should contact the development team on development@nts.org.uk, or donations can be sent directly to Arduaine Garden, c/o Development Team, Wemyss House, 28 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4ET.

Arduaine Garden is open daily from 09.30 until sunset.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the Arduaine Garden Support Group should contact Rick Potter on 01852 200358 or email arduainegardensupportgroup@googlemail.com.

The National Trust for Scotland is one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities, which relies on the financial support of its members to fund its important work of caring for the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland for everyone to enjoy.

You can join the National Trust for Scotland for as little as £5 per month for a family. To become a member, visit http://www.nts.org.uk/Join/Benefits/.

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Robson Green’s Corryvreckan Wild Swim on TV

December 11th, 2009

Back in July, actor Robson Green stayed at Loch Melfort Hotel whilst filming his latest TV series Wild Swimming Adventure. The purpose of his visit was to swim the nearby Corryvreckan whirlpool, the third largest in the world. Tune in to ITV Tues 15 Dec at 9pm to see if he made it.

Although some serious swimmers such as tri-athletes have attempted this swim, they can only do it when the tide is slack; a 30 minute lull in the ferocious conditions. The surface water bubbles and boils in dozens of small and large swirling whirlpools, huge crashing waves appear out of nowhere creating a noise that can be heard over 10 miles away, and the constant swells, currents and undertows make swimming even on a rare flat calm day extremely hazardous.

Robson Green in the Binocular Lounge

Robson Green in the Binocular Lounge

Taking off from the hotel grounds, Robson took a helicopter ride for an aerial view of the magnificent Gulf of Corryvreckan and the dangerous challenge he faced. Then, a boat out into the whirlpool itself for a closer view before he took to the water.

We know how Robson got on during his swim, but if you want to find out be sure to watch on ITV this Tuesday night.

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Gourmet Night Success

December 3rd, 2009

A deliciously successful Gourmet Evening was held at Loch Melfort Hotel on 14 November - with a 7 course menu prepared by head chef Colin MacDonald and wines matched by Mike Cottam of Inverarity Wines. With over 30 people attending it was not only informative but fun too.

Colin surpassed himself with a delightful menu of locally sourced ingredients where possible, including Argyll venison shot on the Isle of Seil and scallops landed off Tarbert. Among the dishes on the menu were Ham Hough, Wild Mushroom and Confit Chicken Terrine, Grilled Sea Bass Fillet, Spring Onion Risotto, Sweet and Sour Pepper Sauce, and Pan Fried Argyll Venison Loin Braised Red cabbage, Juniper Jus.

Pan Fried Argyll Venison Loin Braised Red cabbage with Juniper Jus

Pan Fried Argyll Venison Loin Braised Red cabbage with Juniper Jus

Mike was entertaining and informative and his wine choices were super matches for the dishes. So many guests enjoyed the experience that Mike was rebooked straight away for the next evening to be held here on Saturday 6 March 2010!

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Stunning Bonfire at Loch Melfort Hotel

November 9th, 2009

Bonfire night at Loch Melfort Hotel went by with a wizz and a bang - a beautiful big bonfire and lots of sparklers.

Bonfire getting underway

Bonfire getting underway

All ablaze now.

All ablaze now.

The locals came outside to brave the cold, whilst the hotel guests enjoyed the spectacle from the comfort of the lounge!

Look at my sparkler!

Look at my sparkler!

Calum and Hugh share a sparkler.

Calum and Hugh share a sparkler.

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First Lodge for Scottish Beavers

November 6th, 2009

The beavers that were introduced to Knapdale Forest in May have built their first lodge. This exciting development shows that the beavers are settling in well to their new Scottish home.

The lodge is essentially a shelter for the beavers when they are not in the water and is made from branches and earth which has compacted together to form a very tough structure. The beavers enter it from beneath the water and inside are two chambers where the family can stay warm and dry.

The knapdale beavers have obviously been busy. As well as the lodge other evidence that beavers are in the area are severed branches and cut down trees.  It’s not known at this point whether the other two families that were introduced to Argyll have built lodges yet. They may not have been discovered yet or may be using burrows at their lochs’ edges.

Scottish Beaver Trial staff have asked the public not to go hunting for the lodge. It is situated away from any lochside paths in a secluded area and attempting to locate it may disturb the beavers, their habitat and other wildlife in the area.

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Private Dining Delight For 60th Birthday

October 15th, 2009

Regular guests celebrated a special birthday in style by hiring the private dining room at Loch Melfort Hotel.

Celebrating in style in the intimate private dining room

Celebrating in style in the intimate private dining room

The delicious 4 course menu included locally sourced  beef and lamb from Barbreck Farm, fresh langoustines, crab and fish from Tarbert, and a selection of other superior Scottish produce. With fine wines and an extra special setting complementing the superb food, the guest of honour couldn’t fail to hide his delight!

Relaxing before dessert

Relaxing before dessert

Kilts all round and a stunning Jamie Primrose painting (painted when he stayed at the hotel earlier this year) as a birthday gift made this a 60th birtdhay to remember!

The birthday boy delighted with his new Jamie Primrose print

The birthday boy delighted with his new Jamie Primrose print

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The Royal National Mod Comes Home

October 6th, 2009

Oban will be a hive of activity the week of 9th October when the Royal National Mod comes back to its birthplace.

The opening ceremony will swing into action at Corran Hall in Oban at 7.30 on Friday 9th October, and for the following week singers, choirs, musicians, spoken word readers and audiences will all celebrate the Scottish Gaelic culture with typical Highland flair and enthusiasm.

Outside the formal competitions, Fringe events (many of which are free) such as ceilidhs, concerts, shinty, guided walks, talks and exhibitions allowing the artists, Mod fans and the local community to come together and let their hair down.

This year’s Mod takes place during Homecoming year and visitors from around the world are expected to add even more flavour to Oban’s already electric and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

For more details of the Mod and the programme of events visit the Royal National Mod website, and to book accommodation amidst the most beautiful scenery on the West coast stop by the Loch Melfort Hotel website.

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