Crerar Hotels gives further £200,000 to charities

HOTEL operator Crerar is donating a further £200,000 to charities, including those working across health, education, and social inclusion. The company donates 50% of its distributable profits to charities in the communities surroundings its seven hotels. Over the past decade, the firm has given £8.5 million to more than 450 organisations. Chief executive Chris Wayne-Wills…

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Hospitality launches ‘Taste Edinburgh’ campaign

CHEFS have launched a campaign to encourage customers to buy gift vouchers for their favourite Edinburgh restaurants, bars, and hotels this Christmas. The launch of the “Taste Edinburgh” scheme was attended by Michelin-starred cooks Tom Kitchin and Martin Wishart. Other restaurateurs taking part in the campaign include: James Thomson from Prestonfield House Hotel and The…

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Acceptable in the 80s: Errazuriz’s cabernet

Peter Ranscombe climbs back into his vinous time machine to join a virtual ‘vertical’ tasting of wines from Chile. DO YOU remember 1989? It was the year that Margaret Thatcher road tested her “poll tax” in Scotland. It was the year that David Hasselhoff single-handedly brought down the Berlin Wall. And it was the year…

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Peebles Hydro Hotel welcomes Pure Spa

SPA operator Pure has taken over the facilities at Peebles Hydro Hotel. An extra treatment room is being added and the beds and equipment in the spa are being upgraded. The hotel, which is accepting spa booking from 1 December, also has a swimming pool, steam room, sauna, and Jacuzzi. Stephen Leckie, chairman and chief…

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Having a ceilidh with Yalumba’s ‘Caley’

Peter Ranscombe rediscovers ‘the Great Australian Red’ – and suggests some affordable stepping stones along the way. THE world of wine is full of odd phrases: multiple glasses are served in “wine flights”, a liquid that hangs to the side of the glass is said to have “long legs”, and smells can sometimes – kindly…

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Golf: the perfect social distancing activity

GOLF has become “the perfect social distancing outdoor activity in a safe environment”, according to Trump Turnberry. The hotel and golf resort on the Ayrshire coast has hailed its corporate packages for giving companies the chance to “mix business with pleasure”. Turnberry offers both individuals and companies a variety of corporate and partner memberships, with…

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NHS heroes enjoy weekend hotel stays

MORE than 380 health service workers and their families stayed at Crerar Hotels’ seven venues for free last weekend as part of the “Scottish Hospitality for NHS Heroes” initiative. Paddy Crerar, the company’s founder and chairman, took some guests on boat trips, while others tucked into locally-sourced food and drink. The chain spent more than…

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‘Drive through’ afternoon teas are here to stay

A HOTEL that launched “drive through” afternoon teas during the coronavirus lockdown has decided to keep running them because they proved so popular. The Stair Arms Hotel at Pathhead in Midlothian transformed an old shipping container into a hatch from which to serve its teas. Customers can order their afternoon tea over the phone and…

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