Inverness Spinners - Cap Formentor in Mallorca

So, nearly a year on after the Lovat sponsored the Inverness Spinners to complete LEJOG – they are now looking to do it again but this time in 9 days!

Here they are on some training in Mallorca.

Well done to all!

Our Manager Neil set off on sponsored cycling trip from Land’s End last week and we’re pleased to see he’s homeward bound.

Neil joins the Inverness Spinners, who are cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Neil Beattie, Manager at The Lovat, is joining a group of friends from Bannatynes Health Club in Inverness, under the name of Inverness Spinners, and cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats from 21st July 2011.

The Lovat, Loch Ness is sponsoring the team on their journey & are proud to have such a valued member of the hotel, as Neil, joining in their cycle for charity as well as personal satisfaction.

They are taking 10 days to cover the 1000 miles, raising as much money as possible for SNAP, the Special Needs Action Project and Multiple Sclerosis Scotland.

Go Neil!

As part of their training and development programme for cycling the arduous 1000 mile Lands End to John o’Groats route (LEJoG) in July, local cycling enthusiasts, the Inverness Spinners, have invited internationally renowned exercise physiologist, Prof Richard Davison to help them prepare for their gruelling ten day challenge.

Prof Davison is giving a talk about ‘The Challenges of Long Distance Cycling’ on Sunday, 19th June at Fairburn Activity Centre, Muir of Ord. The event is open to all, but places are limited and must be booked in advance. Prof Davison said: “I was delighted the Inverness Spinners (my father is a team member) asked me to help out in this way. There are more ways to plan for such a demanding sporting challenge than just putting in hours on the road. I’ll be talking about how best to prepare for long distance events, including sportives and multiple day rides. I’ll also be considering the main challenges the team will face during the ride itself, with specific focus on pacing and nutrition, and will be drawing on personal experience and research studies in scientific literature.”

Prof Davison has over 20 years experience in his field, and an international reputation in investigating the factors that influence cycling performance and the physiological responses to cycle ergometry. Other areas of research interest include the use of exercise and physical activity to improve health and quality of life in the general population and clinical groups. He is the current Chair of the Cycling Science Steering Group of the World Commission of Science, Editor for the Journal of Sports Sciences and Sport and former Chair of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (2006-2008).

Prof Davison also tries to practice what he preaches. As a competitive cyclist he has won ten medals at Scottish Championships, including six gold medals. Richard also represented Scotland at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria as a cycling coach and he continues to be very heavily involved with the British Cycling Coach Education Scheme helping to train the future generation of cycle coaches.

The Inverness Spinners’ team of thirteen aims to raise over £15,000 for their chosen charities – Multiple Sclerosis Scotland and local children’s charity SNAP, the Special Needs Action Programme – undertaking the challenge from 21st to 31st July which will see them travel the 1,000 miles from the south of England to the north of Scotland in ten days, accompanied by a two-strong support team. The group’s abilities range from some who, at the start of training, had never been on a road bike before, to others who have already cycled the route or done similar challenges in North Vietnam, France and Ireland.

Places can be reserved for Prof Davison’s talk on ‘The Challenges of Long Distance Cycling’ on Sunday, 19th June at 16.00 at Fairburn Activity Centre, Muir of Ord by calling 01997 433332.

Numbers are limited so early booking is advised. The event is free but donations to Inverness Spinners’ charities are encouraged. Further details about the Inverness Spinners at www.spanglefish.com/lejog2011.

For directions to and further details about Fairburn Activity Centre check out www.fairburncentre.com.

TripAdvisor awards this certificate to properties who consistently receive excellent ratings from its members. They think our 4.5 rating is something to be proud of & we hope you do too!

We now have someone else coming to stay at the hotel who is going to swim Loch Ness but this time it is not for a world record…it is just for fun!

Jaime, from Spain, is an amateur long distance swimmer and has already swum: the English Channel; Gibraltar; NYCSwim 2010 – to name a few. What was missing in his growing album, was Loch Ness. He is also hoping that Nessie will make a friendly appearance!

He swims for a foundation called “Siempre Adelante” to raise money for people that suffer Latheral Amiotrophic Sclerosis. His slogan is “nado porque puedo y para los que no pueden”, that means more or less: “I swim because I am able to do it as well as I do it for people that are not as lucky as me”.

Is anyone else planning on a challenge across Loch Ness? Maybe you even want to beat Michael’s world record? If so, get in touch – the hotel will offer you accommodation throughout the challenge which will be complimentary based on you beating the record.

Back in 2001 he toured Scotland with his friend & stumbled upon our hotel and village. This is what they said back then!

• Fort Augustus
• Then then Lovat Arms

Email us with your past stories, renditions, recollections & memories.

The Lovat has been honoured by Petra magazine in Germany as 1 of top 8 hotels worldwide to hideaway to chill out after a long winter…so book your holiday now & kick back & relax with us, here at Loch Ness.

The Lovat team certainly did Rabbie proud on 25th January 2011.

Considering the cancellation of the 2010 celebrations due to bad weather, the organisation for 2011 started with a little trepidation….we need not have feared

With bookings flying in, even until the very last hour, all 44 guests were welcomed with open arms to the Lovat’s second exceptionally successful celebration of Burns’ life, love, lifestyle & literature.

Highland music was provided by 4 talented musicians, adding some background ambience to balance the tasty supper & the switched on staff.

Julia again put her creative hands to work on the tartan clad decorations, while Neil whipped of his troosers & donned a kilt for the evening. The ‘Chieftain o’ the Pudding Race’ was staggered into the Dining Room to the sound of ‘A Man’s a Man’ – was cleverly Addressed & then washed down with a whisky nip.

To make sure that the event ‘went’ as it should, Rabbie watched over the gathering from his aloof yet approving projection on the wall.

Roll on 2012!

This is the Voluntary Payback Scheme Update from Destination Loch Ness.

Thank you all for your contributions.

Since the scheme was launched in December last year participating members have now raised almost £600.

All monies to date are going towards interpretation on the South Loch Ness Trail Project (Update attached for your information). When the Trail is officially launched early summer next year, all participating members of the Scheme will receive acknowledgement of their contribution in publicity material for the trail.

We hope in due course to make contributions to other environmental projects around the loch but until we have more DLN members participating in the scheme, this is unlikely. So please, if you know someone whose business could be part of the Scheme we would appreciate some gentle persuasion! As we are all aware, visitors are more than happy to make a contribution.