We actually found out a few weeks ago, but we've had to wait until now to tell you, as we were asked to write an interview feature in the brand new Haute Grandeur E-magazine.
In the meantime, we await a further update as to where the awards ceremony will be taking place later this year, we'll update as soon as we know.
As we said a few months ago in our 5 minute film clip 'Red Carpet', on our in-house YouTube channel, '2016 was a year that left us speechless' - (link below)
Having seen Balbirnie receive the Scottish Hotel Awards recognition in April last year, as 'Scotland's 2016 National Hotel of the Year', on the same night as receiving the award for 'Scotland's Wedding Hotel of the Year' for the 10th annual time, do you know what our management team then did?
Well, within the next month we had already instigated another 20 additions to what we do, ranging from immediate new systems and procedures, to enhanced offerings for our clients. That basically summarises what we do, we seek to remain ahead of industry curves, which isn't always an easy thing to do.
We manage this complex process, by having 4 hours of very focussed brigade discussions every month. As routine, this always takes place on the last Tuesday of the month, and involves 20 or so of our brigade of 115 individuals. We contemplate what we've seen taking place in and around Balbirnie during the previous month, we question everything we've seen, then we seek to improve what we do. These discussions can of course involve such joyful conversations, as well as embracing the one thing in these contexts nearest to our hearts, which is always doing our absolute best for all clients.
In Autumn last year, my very lovely wife and fellow company director Gaynor and I were invited to attend the Haute Grandeur annual awards in Abu Dhabi, and the trip and experience of being able to represent Scottish Hospitality at that level, was simply extraordinary. To receive the award, on behalf of our entire brigade, for 'Europe's Best Destination Wedding Retreat', was absolutely amazing.
I can't even begin to tell you what 2016's combined awards have meant for those who work in and around Balbirnie House. What I can say, is that many months onwards, I'm still getting frequently stopped myself, when shopping in the local supermarket, by individuals within our extended local community, who always ask me to pass on their well wishes to those who work in the hotel. That is so special, I can't begin to say. Even sitting here typing this Blog today, a lump in the throat when I'm thinking about many of the conversations I've had.
The day the flag arrived!
Leah Kinnes on the left, joined Balbirnie age 16. Works with the hotel manager on weekend mornings, welcoming our new wedding clients to the house.
Sarah Rees on the right, after 3 years of running Special Events, now in 2017 into the role as Balbirnie's Deputy GM
Way up on the roof! Newly installed flagpole, and installing the flag. Can just make out Gardener Duncan Hogg, who himself married at Balbirnie last year, and Maintenance Andy Thomson.
I was driving on the school run the other day, and was trying to explain all of these combined circumstances to our youngest daughter Ruby, age 10.
'What do you think Dad? What will happen at the 2017 Haute Grandeur awards?'
'Well my wee amigo, we'll just have to wait and see!'
'Balbirnie surely has a 1 in 5 chance?'
'How do you work that out?'
'Well, the world has 7 continents, and I don't think they have wedding venues in the Arctic and Antarctic continents?'
'Nope, it is one in 7, people always get married there as well!!!'
In the meantime, our dedication continues as always. In terms of future wedding celebrations, we've also had a quite remarkable start to 2017. In the first 60 days of this year, 40 couples have decided to hold their future weddings at Balbirnie House.
As I continually say over on Twitter, 'welcoming prospective new wedding clients is the loveliest part of the job', and I can also say it is wonderful in 2017 to see so many new enquiries originating from overseas clients as well.
On behalf of the brigade past and present, our blessings counted every day. Thank you so much to our entire network of Suppliers and Associate Suppliers. And as always, thank you to our customers past and present.
Here's a link to the new Haute Grandeur E-Magazine. The interview feature is on pages 96 and 97: https://issuu.com/hautegrandeur/docs/hautegrandeur_magazinemarch2017
Kindest regards from all at Balbirnie,
Nicholas / MD Balbirnie
'Red Carpet' - on our in-house YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU5Bd-wwjE8
