North Highland Escapes
Update Statement
25/05/2020
Bathed in sunshine, crisp nights, clear skies, the odd breeze from the North sea and the odd dose of much needed rainwater!
That’s the landscape surrounding the Royal Marine Hotel and apartments in Brora and the Royal Golf Hotel and apartments in Dornoch. Both are basking in Scotland’s excellent climate as we transition between spring and summer although alas the hotels are on holiday themselves due to the onslaught from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the remedial action required to control and eliminate the risks on this.
I hope that once the crisis is controlled and removed, moving through various phases from lockdown to vaccine to social distancing, that in the back of your mind there is a thought that you’d like to return to the Highlands of Scotland and at the Royal Marine and the Royal Golf we are following guidance from the Scottish Government in terms of when we will be able to invite you to join us more formally. The first signs of the release of golf and fishing are with us so fingers crossed as we move through July.
We have kept the buildings of the hotels alive with a physical presence in the sense that some staff are providing services, particularly booking enquiries from customers, which is a welcome re-emergence and general customer enquires with apartments etc but the thought that we are generating booking enquiries is very positive.
The long sandy beaches, the vast volumes of heather clad hills and the fantastic costal landscapes are still in existence and, for example, both hotels are well positioned as jumping off points for night 1 or last night in terms of the North Coast 500, Scotland’s Route 66. I can just see all the NC500 fans yearning to get back on the tarmac and do the NC500 and sign off either a first trip or a repeat trip.
We are also exploring options of how to adapt post the easing of restrictions in terms of keeping our premises as safe as practical for guests and staff alike and we will be looking to complete this review and plan implementation over the next couple of weeks well in time for removal of lockdown.
Our marketing teams are also placing social media posts and advertising, really tackling the staycation market in the UK given that America and Europe are still wrestling with the lockdown rules. Indeed our airline colleagues are also marshalling their resources to be able to offer travel arrangements which is why we see the staycation market in the UK as being strong and that, individually, families or individuals themselves will be looking to try and seek some form of relaxation and TLC at end of quarter 3 / beginning of quarter 4 with a visit to an idyllic Scotland at a beautiful time of year with roaring fires, crisp weather, stunning skies and miles and miles and miles of open space. A group of 150+ hotels, restaurants, attractions and business units trading in the hospitality trade in the North Highlands of Scotland, us included, wrote to the First Minister of Scotland impressing how important the industry was to not only the trades but also the communities we service. I’m sure this has been picked up and alas it applies also to the business units outwith hospitality.
In conclusion, I hope all readers of this statement understand the Government’s reasoning for taking the measures they have taken as it is really to protect us all. As we move forward, we would really like to welcome you to the two Royal hotels in the North Highlands of Scotland.
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To all of you who are loyal supporters of the two hotels, or indeed new customers, you will be most welcome in our establishments and you will be assured of a warm welcome, 4 star accommodation, food of the highest standard, using local produce and provenance and, most important of all, a relaxing break in a safe environment.