The Inverness Tattoo 2011 will take place between Monday 8th to Saturday 13th of August at the Northern meeting Park in Inverness.

Among the many attractions lined-up for this year’s Tattoo is a thrilling display by Stannage International Stunt Team who will perform high fall stunts combined with thrilling displays of stunt riding. This world record-breaking stunt team have performed all over Europe and the Middle East including the Muscat Festival in Oman.

At the heart of every Tattoo’s appeal is the unique sound of the Pipes and Drums and this year we can guarantee audiences that they will be captivated by the unforgettable skirl of the pipes and the beat of the drums. Making a welcome Tattoo debut this year will be the Military Band of the Black Watch Battalion Army Cadet Force who will provide a rousing musical performance.

A traditional Scottish flavour will be provided by colourful and spirited displays of Highland and Country Dancing which will showcase the skills of the dance troupes. But the Tattoo is not just a Scottish show and, throughout the week, the programme will include varied and lively displays by many performers including the three Cadet Services.

The Grand Finale featuring the Cadet Services Guard of Honour, the Royal British Legion Colour Party, the entire cast and the poignant Lone Piper will provide a fitting climax to the show.

The performance starts at 8 p.m. each evening with doors open at 7 p.m. The Tattoo is pleased to welcome visitors with disabilities and facilities, including those for wheelchair users, are available.

Tickets will cost £10.00 for a seat in the Stand (under cover) and £8.00 for an outside seat. Discount of £2.00 per seat for under 16s and over 60s.

I’m invited to speak at this conference which promotes the Great Glen Way on social media and how it can benefit individual businesses but also the Great Glen Way in itself.

There is already a Facebook and Twitter account for the Great Glen Way but at the moment not very active probably due to lack of resources which is often the problem.

I hope I can demonstrate that social media shouldn’t take a lot of time and how it can be more effective.

Representatives and Information from the following organisations will be present:

Great Glen Way Manager
Forestry Commission
British Waterways Scotland
Great Glen Canoe Trail
Visit Scotland
Destination Loch Ness
Outdoor Capital UK
Business Gateway
Sustrans
Highland Access Officer
West Highland Way Managers

1 February – 15 March 2011

The 2011 Snowdrop Festival sees 54 venues altogether showcasing their beautiful snowdrop spots, some of which open exclusively for the event.

Properties taking part in the festival range from majestic castles and classic country estates to woodland walks, walled gardens and urban retreats.

Near Inverness the venues below take part in the 5th annual Snowdrop Festival:

Dunrobin Castle Garden, Highlands

A fairy tale style castle, Dunrobin is also one of the UK’s most iconic castles. Visit the garden and grounds for free this winter as part of the Scottish Snowdrop Festival. A seaside walk features large areas of snowdrops resulting in a delightful winter white seascape.

1 February – 16 March: open daily 8am – sunset
Free access to garden and grounds

Poyntzfield Herb Nursery

Castle Stuart golf course

Great news for Inverness and the Highlands!

It’s been confirmed yesterday that Castle STuart golf course is hosting the Barclays Scottish open being held from the 7th to the 10th of July 2011

A great achievement as this wonderful golf course only recently opened. I’m not a golfer myself but heard good stories from previous B&B guests of the course.

We will be looking forward to welcoming golfers and spectators of the Castle Stuart Scottish Open championship and no, we will not raise our prices for this event. Our daily rate stays at £80 for a double room.

See more info on the Castle Stuart golf course web site

We remember Madhuri and Saikat very well as they came to Creevale B&B in the first year we opened and their enthusiasm was contagious!

See below the pictures they made of their stay with us. Madhuri and Saikat, thanks for sending these and hope we’ll see you back in Inverness next time you visit Scotland!

Not long to go before we can start celebrating another Hogmanay in Scotland and as last year we will be at the Northern meeting park in Inverness where the fantastic Red Hot Chilli Pipers together with the Blazin Fiddles.

We celebrated Hogmonay last year in Inverness too and although it was cold the entertainment and atmosphere was magical!

The 2010 Winter Festival reaches its climax with the Highlands biggest free Hogmanay Party at Northern Meeting Park Arena. Come and see in 2011 in style as The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Peatbog Fairies and Blazin Fiddles take to the stage and invite you to dance the night away.

See more information on New Year in Inverness check the web site of the Inverness Winter Festival

The snow has now disappeared in Inverness but we enjoyed a long spell of the white stuff over the past two weeks. The weather forecast is mild for this week but it might look like we can enjoy another white Christmas in Inverness, Scotland. See above the photo of our back garden in the snow. (I should have taken the garden furniture in….)

Last week saw the launch of the new Monopoly Highlands and Islands edition that features famous Highlands and Inverness locations like on the famous and popular board game. Loch Ness grabbed the property hot spot replacing Mayfield.

The first time we went to buy it it was already sold out and I guess it’s because people see it as an excellent Christmas gift. Will be going out to the shops tomorrow and hope I can get my hands on one, will post pictures of it later.

Pam and Rene you were the BESTS hosts we had on all our travels. Pam your eyes shine with welcome. Rene you are a real professional at your job – we found no-one as interested in the well-being of their guests.

A true warm welcome from hosts who care about their guests.

Superb hosts, great bed, large bathroom, garden view,lovely breakfasts.

Aloma and Bill from N.Z.

Delighted with this latest review left by Aloma and Bill who stayed with us in August. Aloma and Bill travelled for 5 weeks and visited us at the end of August. They travelled by train from London to Edinburgh, to spend a few days in Scotland’s Capital city. Visiting Edinburgh in August is a great idea as the world famous Edinburgh Tattoo is on which they enjoyed very much.

Pam prepared Bill’s his first ever porridge which went down well! The next day the drove to Dingwall for some family research and hope they found some family connections.

Aloma and Bill, if you read this, thank you so much for taking the time to leave this great review of your stay with us in Inverness and glad you enjoyed our hospitality. Hope to see you back when you visit Scotland again, you’re always welcome!

Pam and Rene