Santa In Aberlour

SANTA was in Aberlour today to oversee the switching on of the Christmas Lights which are bigger and better this year. He will also be making an appearance at the Children's Party on Wednesday 10th December. The annual party is for all primary aged children and is totally free with all costs being met out of donations from individuals and the Visit Aberlour Group




Todays event was organised for Aberlour Community Association with Aberlour & Speyside Rotary Club putting up the tents, the Old Pantry Restaurant supplying hot tea & biscuits for Santa's little helpers and Visit Aberlour suuplying the tents, sound system and decorations for Santa's Grotto

WINTER REFURBISHMENT

http://visitaberlour.blogspot.com/ MORE THAN A LICK OF PAINT!

Like most Hotels and Guest Houses we use the winter to re-decorate and carry out routine maintenance. This year however we are doing more that just sprucing the place up


We are planning a total refurbishment of bedroom 1 with complete re-decoration, fitting of new carpet and new soft furnishings & beddingOur dining room is also being refurbished in a style more in keeping with the building which is over 200 years old.


Although Norlaggan currently complies in every way with Fire Regulations we are taking the opportunity to fit a new integrated fire system with wireless smoke and heat detectors which will cover both guest accommodation and private living area. In associating with Grampain Fire & Rescue we have identified other improvements which, although not required, will improve safety. All rooms will be fitted with automatic door closure systems, a new solid hardwood door (from sustainable source) will be fitted on the main escape route. We have already purchased and installed new fire extinguishers throughout the property.


Norlaggan isn't just a place of business, it is our family home. We are pleased to go beyond what is required in order to protect the property and our guests in the event of fire.


We also have plans for the garden to make it more user friendly.


Last year we purchased a gas Bar BQ for the patio and also purchased a new lock shed for canoeist, cyclist and and walkers to store equipment. In the spring we will be undertaking major landscaping and planting in the garden


All this is on-top of our normal "care and maintenance" program


We hope that these improvements will reassure our guests and also enhance their experience in Speyside

Tourism Should Be Environmentally Friendly

We have recently undertaken an "Environmental Audit" to determine what measures we could take to limit the impact our business has on the environment.




Norlaggan is situated in a designated "Site Of Special Scientific Interest" mainly because of the local wildlife in Speyside (including red squirrels, deer, pinemartins, fresh water mussels and of course salmon).




It seemed to us that we could do more to protect our local environment and reduce the carbon footprint of our business.

The following areas have been identified and acted upon

RECYCLING

ALL paper products are recycled

ALL vegetable waste is recycled

(we have installed two wormories and three compost bins in our garden)

ALL glass products are recycled

ALL cardboard is recycled

ALL metal waste is recycled

ALL plastic waste is recycled

Egg Boxes (about 350 per year) returned for reusing

REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS

Where possible we have installed low energy lighting

All rooms have been fitted with individual thermostats for heating

We now have an under cover drying areas which cuts down on Tumble Drying

Guests staying more than one night are given the option of new towels each day

All are now transported in reusable containers rather than plastic bags

Installation of additional chest freezer reduces number of shopping trips

Where possible we "grow our own" in the garden and two greenhouses

Guests have free use of bicycles for travelling locally

Where possible A5 paper used rather than A4

No Print advertising (no brochures, newspaper ads, magazine ads etc)

Where possible all consumables sourced locally to avoid transportation

New fire alarm system to eliminate the use of NicCad Batteries

Smaller vehicle acquired for business use

Greater thought given to reducing mileage by multi-tasking of vehicles

OTHER MEASURES

Where possible eliminated the use of aerosols

Where possible use natural cleaning materials rather than chemicals

Rain water is collected for use in garden and greenhouses

Use of Micro Fibre cleaning cloths to avoid use of chemical cleaners

Where possible electrical equipment fitting with automatic shut-down systems

Greater use made of electronic communication rather than postal services

THESE MEASURES HAVE REDUCED BY 73% THE AMOUNT OF WASTE GOING TO LAND-FILL

THESE MEASURES WILL REDUCE OUR CARBON EMISSIONS IN 2008/2009 SEASON BY 48%

Visit Scotland 2009

Norlaggan has once again passed the Visit Scotland Quality Assured Inspection with a 3 Star rating. We were commended for improvements made over the last year including the addition of a third letting room, the fitting of Satellite TV in all rooms, High Standard of Redecoration and (perhaps most importantly) a continued high standard of cleanliness throughout.

Norlaggan is currently the ONLY Quality Assured accommodation provider in Aberlour. Check out our website at http://www.norlaggan.co.uk/ for details of all our facilities and our present tarrif

Satellite Television Now In All Rooms

At Norlaggan we are always trying to improve the facilities we offer our guests. The latest addition is the installation of Satellite T.V. in all our bedrooms. Each room has its own control box with 200 TV and radio programs. Rooms also have T.V.s with audio & video imputs to allow guests to review there VideoCam shots of Aberlour and Speyside direct from their cameras to TV. Just in case you didn't bring the necessary leads for connecting your camera to the TV we have a collection of leads covering just about every possible combination od connections.

As well as our free Wifi system we also have a desktop P.C. and two laptops for the use of guests to allow them to transfer their DVD fottage and still shots from their cameras on to USB memory cards or sticks (and we keep a stock of cards and sticks for sale just in case you run out of space.

Just for a charnge we travelled from Speyside to Deeside and enjoyed a fews days in our caravan at Banchory. These are a few shots taken at Crathes Castle Gardens which were lovely in their Autumn Glory

BRAVEHEARTS FROM PRESTON

It is pleasing to note that over the past few years the number of people using the River Spey for recreation (other than for fishing) has increased. Significantly far more people are using the river for Canoeing and Kayaking. These hardy souls from Preston certiainly picked a week for undertaking the Spey Descent. Snow, Frost Gale and Rain didn't deter them from making the river journey from Grantown to Speymouth.

Norlaggan is in a prime location for Canoeists and Kayakers. Boats are easily landed adjacent to our back garden with a path and gate allowing equipment to be easily transported for safe overnight storage. We also have secure storage, under cover drying area, tumble dryers and drying room for wet clothing.

If you are considering doing the Spey Descent why not check availabilty at http://www.norlaggan.co.uk/ We offer real time online booking so no waiting for replies to emails!

For hire of equipment see the BOOTS-N-PADDLES website

BBC 4 - Craigellachie To Ballindalloch

BBC RAILWAY WALKS

THE SPEYSIDE WAY

Julia Bradbury takes a series of walks following the old tracks, overgrown cuttings and ancient viaducts of Britain's lost rail empire. Her first walking foray into Scotland has a very distinct flavour to it: whisky! The Speyside Way is one of Scotland's great walking routes, and between the villages of Craigellachie and Ballindaloch it follows the route of the railway that once served a remote area and a world famous drinks industry.

Norlaggan is pleased to have been associated with this Television Program. We contributed to pre-filming research, supplied transport for researchers and director and arranged cycle hire for those taking part

Although commissioned for the BBC this program is likely to be syndicated throughout the world.

Tune in on 23th October to see someting of Speyside. The walk featured passes by the back door of Norlaggan

VIEWING
23rd October
BBC 4
8.30pm

If you read this after the broadcast date you can still catch the program on the bbc iplayer at http://www.bbc.com/

2009 Spey Salmon Fishing Season

The River Spey is the home of speycasting and one of Scotland's big four salmon rivers. It has the third largest drainage area after the Tay and Tweed and is the second longest after the Tay. However, its major attraction is its size and the strength of its stream - in the middle and lower river it falls on average 12 feet per mile - the greatest of any British river.

An interesting aside, the Spey, unlike most British rivers, does not have a sizeable town at its mouth. The river is snow fed from the Cairngorm Mountains and in a good year this can mean the river staying high until early June.

The season opens on the 11th February and runs until 30th September. Anglers can expect to catch fish from the opening day onwards throughout the river, depending on the temperature and river heights.

Norlaggan stands on the banks of the Spey within the Aberlour Association Water which offers relatively inexpensive day and 6 day permits.

If you are planning a fishing trip to Speyside you can book your accommodation on-line and in real time at http://www.norlaggan.co.uk/

Planning Speyfest 2009

Organisers will hold a meeting in November in preparation for Speyfest 2009. Committee members are keen to hear ideas on how to develop the festival on the back of their most successful event ever in 2008.

There was a record breaking 40% rise in ticket sales, boosted by performances from big name acts including Eddi Reader and Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

The committee is anxious to hear from anyone who has suggestions and ideas for next year's festival which will take place from 6th to 9th August at various venues around Fochabers in Speyside.

New Mountain Bike Playground In Moray

Mountain Bikers now have more reason than ever to head for Moray. Gollowing the success of the Moray Monster Trails at Ben Aigen a brand new 116 acre site has now been opened at Sanquhar Woodlands in Foress. Chris Piper, chairman of the Forres Community Woodland Trust said: "We have gone out our way to ensure the trails and technical features were designed to the highest standards and we are delighted with the result.

Norlaggan has been accredited as a "Cyclists Welcome" accommodation provider. With the Moray Monster Trails only 3 miles away and the new Sanquhar Woodland Trails just 25 miles away Norlaggan is an ideal base for "pedal-heads" planning a short break in Moray

Lufthansa To Fly Direct To Inverness

Anew direct link between Germany and Inverness is likely to be confirmed within the next few weeks. Highlands and Islands airports Ltd. has said it expects to confirm the twice weekly service between Dusseldorf and the Highland Capital before the end of October.

The new service will certainly be welcomed by German Whisky enthusiasts planning a trip to Speyside. A direct bus service operates from the terminal to Elgin and a short local bus trip (about 14 miles) will deliver visitors to the very heart of the Malt Whisky trail.

If you would like further information on how to get to Aberlour from any of the airports or seaports please feel free to email help@norlaggan.co.uk

Wild Brown Trout Fishing

Speyside is best known for Salmon Fishing on the Spey but there are also lots of places where the keen angler can fish for Wild Brown Trout. Remember that no rod license is required in Scotland and that Wild Brown Trout is a FREE fish so no permit charges. The only restriction is the closed season from 6th October to 15th March

Why not book at short stay at http://www.norlaggan.co.uk/ and try it out. Ken, who is himslef a keen angler (he claims to be an expert but then he would) will be happy to offer advice and share local knowledge.

Christmas Menu At Baxters Of Fochabers

Enjoy Christmas Lunch (daily from 29th November) or Christmas Dinner (Fridays & Saturdays from 29th November) in the Signature Tearoom at the Baxters complex in Fochabers, a 15 minute drive from Norlaggan.

Baxters are also running ookery Demos with George McIvor, Chairman of the Masterchefs of Great Britain, on 7th Nov, 5th Dec, 11 Dec and 12th December

For details of Christmas Lunches, Christmas Dinners and Cokkery Demos visit www.baxters.com or telephone 01343 820666

Why not make a visit to Baxters part of your Winter Break at Norlaggan

To book go to www.norlaggan.co.uk

Aberlour Distillery Low Season Tours

For the Whisky enthusiast visitng Speyside a tour of Aberlour Distillery should definently be on the list of things to see and do.

Unlike many of the Distilleries Aberlour remains open for tours during the winter months. The tours, which last for approximately 2 hours including a season in the tasting room where visitors sample 6 full measures of whisky from the Aberlour range. The enthusiast can also hand fill there own personal bottle of Cask Strength Whisky to takr home

OPENING HOURS 2008/2009

From 3rd November to 20th March
Monday - Friday Tours At 9.30am and 4pm
Closed 19th December - 6th January

Maximum Of 16 Per Tour
Audio Visual Presentation
Guided Tour Of Distillery
Tutored Nosing And Tasting
Hand-fill Your Own Bottle Of Cask Strength
Tour Takes Approx 2 Hours
Admission £10
BOOKING ESSENTIAL

Norlaggan B&B is located about 5 minutes walk from Aberlour Distillery
Why not combine a tour of the distillery with one of our winter breaks

FOR FURTHER DETAILS AND REAL-TIME ONLINE BOOKING GO TO
www.norlaggan.co.uk

Spirit Of Speyside Whisky Festival 2009

The climax of the 2009 Whisky Festival will be

"Spirit Of Speyside – A Celebration”

It will embrace the heritage, folklore and

culture of the River Spey, Speyside and its people.

Saturday May 9th in Alice Littler Park, Aberlour
Beside the River Spey

Capacity 1,500 +

Covered Tiered Seating for over 1,000

Food Court with emphasis on local produce and tented seating area
Fabulous cast of leading artists in their field supported by local performers

Bands, Trumpet fanfares, music, song and dance

Ticket Price Options

Covered Tiered Seating for over 1,000

Food Court with emphasis on local produce

Tented seating area

Fabulous cast of leading artists supported by talented local performers

Bands, Trumpet fanfares, music, song and dance

BOOK EARLY FOR

THE SPIRIT OF SPEYSIDE WHISKY FESTIVAL 2008

BOOK ONLINE AT http://www.norlaggan.co.uk/