A tasty bite

IF I were on holiday in Sutherland and wanted to take something back home to remind me of the area, there's a tasty bite on offer that will never go off!

Jude's Food is the perfect example of a home grown product, a cookery book that titivates the senses as much as the hunger pangs; thumbing through the pages considering the recipes, and at the same time being reminded of the wonderful scenery and intriguing stories wrapped into ingredients from a locality that has everything to offer the discerning visitor, provided that vital marketing tool of good publicity is in place.

I hope this new publication from the presses of the Northern Times will have that marketing nous, often word of mouth, but deserves more attention, to find its way into the suitcases of our visitors when they head back home, to be warmed by the memories and the food of the area.

Well done the author, Judith Napier! This little gem is yet another example of a quality produce from our northern counties.

I find it hard to refer to Sutherland - with its warm welcome - and the amenities of Caithness, as "The Far North", a phrase that is not conducive to good marketing and conjures up distance, coldness, a place too far away to encourage visitors. "The Far North" is now in common media use, and does us no good whatsoever.

Marketing the Northern Highlands

Listening to the businesses in Sutherland and Caithness, as I do to the best of my ability, it comes across that the main concern operators voice when VisitScotland is brought into the equation, is the fact so many believe this area is not marketed to its best potential.

There is also a need to build better relationships with VisitScotland business managers who are there to ensure the actual business is supported through good advice, to reach the standard we all know must be achieved before we can boast we have what the visitor is looking for in comfort and service.

Next month, on November 11th, VisitScotland is coming to meet the businesses to address these concerns.

As chair of the Caithness and Sutherland Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, I was happy to facilitate this conference in the belief the businesses would grab this chance, not just to listen to VisitScotland marketing plans, but to have a voice in what is needed for Caithness and Sutherland.

The opportunity to showcase the local picture will be part of the programme, and towards the end of the day, there will be a surgery run by various groups to allow businesses to have a more private word with VisitScotland as well as others who contribute to the development of our northern counties. Go to www.eventbrite.com/evt/2319096480 to book a place to meet with Dr Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, and the team who will accompany him. On the registration form you will find the link to ask a question of Dr Cantlay who will be taking a question and answer session after his opening address.

The conference will be hosted in Mackay's Hotel, Wick, the venue contributed by North Highland Tourism and I am grateful to the Caithness Chamber of Commerce for sharing the costs with VisitScotland and the Federation of Small Businesses towards a day which will be what you make of it. Come and make this day the start of something new.

Didn't they do well!

Nominations for the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards (HIT Awards) has reached record levels this year, all the more reason to view the finalists from Sutherland with tremendous satisfaction.

As a director on the board of the HIT Awards, I have absolutely no say in the judging of the entries, carried out by an independent team of experts from the industry, chaired by a member of the board who is the soul of discretion.

Therefore, I was thrilled to see Dornoch Firth Golf Pass as one of the finalists, especially as I had recently shown my ignorance by not being aware of the tremendous input Jill McNicol of North Highland Tourism had in ensuring the Dornoch Firth Golf Pass came to fruition.

Both Jill and Willie MacKay, who chairs the working group, had nothing but praise for the golf clubs, managers and captains who helped achieve what is shaping up to be a tremendous economic and ?social success story for tourism in the north.

This was a joint effort by many hard working people, and through the dedicated promotion of the golf pass by enthusiasts like Valerie Houston of the Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch, Jeanette Cumming at the Golspie Golf Club Shop, and Joan Duncan of the Royal Marine Brora, this project is a showcase of what hard work and collaboration can bring.

The promotion and success of golf tourism in the north boosts the coffers of every tourism outlet in its trickle-down effect, and gives a great opportunity to other quality golf courses in the area to benefit from the attraction of world renowned links like Castle Stuart and Royal Dornoch.

The rest of the pack

As a writer, it delighted me to see in that finalist list, Loch Croispol Bookshop, their success as well known in the literary world as in their home territory of Durness.

And, having spent a great deal of my time on the back of a horse, wasn't it good to see Highlands Unbridled of Brora get well-deserved publicity for their horse-back riding opportunities, whether as part of a holiday or a precious few hours in the saddle.

It doesn't surprise me that Simon and Philip Thomson are competing for the prestigious position of Young Ambassador of the Year award, having experienced their development of facilities at Dornoch Castle Hotel - may the best man, or woman, win, that award like many others attracting a high number of nominations, culminating in another great event on November 18th in the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness. Still time to book tickets at www.highland-tourism-awards.co.uk

And finally . . .

I find myself at the delivery end of more than half a dozen events in the month of November, shocked to find myself without a minute to spare from morning till night, questioning my sanity until I met an old friend who managed to look both bored and exhausted.

"What do you find to do to pass the time?" she asked. "I miss my guests so much I wonder why I retired, but at our age, we can't be taking on all that hard work. The day can be so long, though."

Thank goodness there's something to be said for not finding enough hours in the day!