Author: Dundas Castle

There are many ways to create an event that will leave people talking.   The content, of course, is primary as that is the main reason that the conference has been organised.  The delivery of the content is what will help the participants remember what they are being presented and the theme is what will bring the two together to make the event work. An event planner will want to create an event that not only stands out from the rest, but provides a positive atmosphere that will be conducive to a successful conference.
The Castle is pleased to announce the completion of the latest 6 month project to enhance the castle and the guest experience...  With the heavy snow fall that we experienced at the end of 2010 there were concerns over the wellbeing of the 12 llamas that we have here on the estate. Originally hailing from South America, our furry friends are more used to the Chile climes rather than the chilly ones. To remedy the situation the castle has been made into a llama friendly home. We are actively encouraging the llamas to come indoors into the castle when the weather is unfavourable.
One of our hallway chairs is leaving today to embark on a road trip to Skye.  Our chair was talent spotted by Edinburgh based Locations 365 who provide location and production services for TV ads, films and events.  Locations 365 were charged with finding a high backed solid wooden chair that is to be used in a Whisky advert for a Lithuanian client.

We’ve had an eventful year this year - we’ve been joined by 2 new members of the office team, 2 new members of the operations team, 4 new llamas, 1 new stable roof and celebrated our 1,000th wedding.  And it doesn’t stop there...  

We are feeling very festive here at Dundas Castle now that the tree is up in the hallway.  Each year we choose our tree from the Hopetoun Estate and this year we have another full and perfectly formed tree hand picked by Marty, our Head Groundskeeper.  

Our Marketing Manager, Siobhán Leith, returned safe and sound from a snowy but fantastic HIT Scholarship at De Vere’s Cameron House at the start of December.  Siobhán spent 4 days staying at the hotel and working with the sales and marketing team to experience some of the running and back ground work that goes into the hotel.

Our Assistant Operations Manager, Ricarda Plews has just returned from a 3 day trip to Lausanne in Switzerland where she attended the Lausanne Hotel School.  Ricarda was awarded a highly sought-after HIT Scholarship (Hospitality Industry Trust) which gave her a place at this prestigious school with likeminded scholars from all over Scotland.

On 25th September 2010, our wonderful Head Housekeeper Flora married Michael Reilly at the spectacular and remote Kisimul Castle on the Isle-of-Barra.  They were very honored  to have Dundas Castle owners Sir Jack and Lady Lydia as special guests.  Sir Jack gave permission for Flora to use some Dundas Estate greenery to help decorate Kisimul castle which meant that she could take something from her 'home' in Edinburgh to her native home in Barra.

We know that event organisers have to walk that fine line between creating an event that is inspiring and a little bit different, and yet is also tried and tested so that there are no ‘unwelcome surprises’.  With this in mind we have launched some new and exciting activity packages that can be combined with a successful event held here at Dundas Castle.
At Dundas Castle we pride ourselves on creating something that little bit different for our client parties and the 2010 party was no exception. The theme this year was ‘Four Seasons in One Day’ and 180 clients were invited to enjoy the Castle on a warm summer evening on the 17th June. In partnership with our preferred suppliers who co-sponsored the event we created an evening that our guests will never forget. Little did our guests know that they were being invited to a venue party that had never been created before!
Sir Jack Stewart-Clark, owner of Dundas Castle is always adding to his collection of fine art and antiques.  His most recent purchase was two new Grandfather clocks that have pride of place in the main house.

Siobhan and DavidCongratulations to our Marketing Manager Siobhán Leith who was married at The George Hotel in Edinburgh on 17th April this year.  The Dundas Castle office team were invited to share Siobhán and David’s day and enjoyed having their own wedding to plan and then buy a hat for!

HIT Scotland Congratulations to Dundas Castle’s very own Ricarda Plews (Assistant Operations Manager) and Siobhán Leith (Marketing Executive) who were awarded HIT Scholarships for 2010.

Sir Jack Stewart-Clark writes an introduction for the monthly 'Luxury Edinburgh' newsletter. One of my favourite books is called ‘The Railway Man’. It was written by Eric Lomax and brilliantly describes his quiet traditional upbringing in Edinburgh and his subsequent but terrible experiences under the Japanese as a Prisoner of War.

Luxury EdinburghLuxury Edinburgh is a collaborative group of Edinburgh’s leading venues, hotels, retailers and visitor attractions.  Dundas Castle is delighted to be part of this group along with other members such as Martin Wisharts’s restaurant, the Sheraton Grand Hotel and the retailer Harvey Nichols.  By working together Luxury Edinburgh is able to offer exceptional, exclusive and tailored access to luxury.

Recently Dundas Castle was proud to host the meeting of the 11th British Irish Council where leaders of the Devolved Administration including the First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond, attended a dinner along with leaders from Ireland and Wales. As a traditional ‘5* Exclusive Use’ venue, Dundas was the perfect choice to host this prestigious event as the dinner was to have a Scottish theme.
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