Clydesdale Bank features Robert Burns on its new £10 note

Robert Burns, one of Scotland’s most famous sons, is featured on Clydesdale Bank’s new £10 note, which is now in circulation. This note is the fourth of Clydesdale Bank’s new world heritage banknotes which are now available at selected Clydesdale Bank cash machines and retail branches across the country.


[Pictured launching Clydesdale Bank’s new £10 note, Willie Mackie (front), managing partner at Clydesdale Bank’s Ayrshire Financial Solutions Centre with Nat Edwards (back), director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, at Burns Cottage, Alloway. CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

As well as featuring ‘The Bard’ on the front, the £10 note will also depict an iconic image of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns on the reverse.

Clydesdale Bank’s new note collection showcases the best of Scotland’s heritage, people and culture and is the first time in more than 20 years the Bank has launched a completely new set of notes.

Robert Burns was chosen to feature on the Bank’s most-used banknote to coincide with the year of the Homecoming – which celebrates the 250th anniversary of his death.

The front of each new note will honour a prominent and innovative Scot while the reverse will feature one of Scotland’s five World Heritage Sites.

Clydesdale Bank is the largest issuer of banknotes in Scotland, with more than £1.1billion in circulation in any given week.

Willie Mackie, managing partner of Clydesdale Bank’s Ayrshire Financial Solutions Centre said: “Clydesdale Bank’s new £10 note reflects Scotland’s excellent worldwide reputation. We are extremely proud to mark the remarkable achievements of Burns, especially on the 250th anniversary of his death.

“Clydesdale Bank is honoured to be associated with the people and locations depicted on the new world heritage banknotes, and we hope this prompts people to take further interest and to delve deeper into Scotland’s history.”

Nat Edwards, director of the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway said: “Robert Burns is one of the most significant Scots of all time. His work is known and celebrated across the world. Burns is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement, and was a source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism.

“Marking the achievements Burns made on the world with his depiction on the Clydesdale Bank note is fantastic, and I hope this continues the public’s interest in his work.”

The new notes are the first in the UK to use a new ‘depth image’ hologram security feature – which is a moving hologram behind the prominent front image.

The bank’s £5, £20 and £50 notes, featuring Sir Alexander Fleming, Hebridean Island St Kilda, Robert the Bruce, New Lanark, Elsie Inglis and the Antonine Wall respectively have already entered circulation and are widely available from cash machines and retail branches throughout the country.

Notes from the new collection were part of Clydesdale Bank’s recent charity auctions of rare and valuable bank notes, where a £1 note sold for £9,000 breaking the previous world record for the sale of a Scottish bank note. In total, across the two auctions, the Bank raised more than £200,000 for charities across the UK.

Clydesdale Bank
Financial Solutions Centre
43 Alloway Street
Ayr KA7 1SP
Ayrshire, Scotland

Contact: Willie Mackie, Managing Partner
Tel: 01292 272072
Fax: 01292 280202
E-mail: william.mackie@eu.nabgroup.com
Web: www.cbonline.co.uk

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CKD Galbraith property consultancy to recruit three new land agents

LEADING property consultancy CKD Galbraith, specialists in rural property surveying, has announced that it is looking to recruit three qualified land agents, including one for their office in Ayr.

The firm acquired the Buccleuch John Sale estate agency and chartered surveying business in July this year, with the addition of three new offices and 30 staff.


[Pictured: Chris Addison-Scott of CKD Galbraith said: “It has been a very exciting and significant time for us since our major expansion earlier this year.”]

The major expansion has resulted in the need for three new land agents across the firm’s Castle Douglas and Ayr offices as well as on the Isle of Bute, details as follows:

* Castle Douglas - Estate Agent/Land Agent

An opening has arisen for an experienced MRICS qualified Chartered Surveyor to take responsibility for property sales, land management, valuations and additional professional work.

* Isle of Bute - Resident Sub-Agent

A recently qualified Chartered Surveyor is being sought for the permanent post as Factor on Bute Estate. The successful candidate will be based in the estate office at Mount Stuart and a two bedroom cottage is available as well as an estate vehicle.

* Ayr Office - Senior Land Agent

A qualified and ambitious Land Agent is being sought to take on a key role in the further development of the busy and well established Ayr office. Responsibilities will include rural land management, valuations and professional advice, utilities and compensation work.

Chris Addison-Scott of CKD Galbraith said: “It has been a very exciting and significant time for us since our major expansion earlier this year. Having strengthened our presence to cover the whole of Scotland from the North East to the Borders, we are delighted to offer an unparalleled service and look forward to building our business with the appointment of three new land agents.”

For the opportunity to join one of Scotland’s leading rural property surveying firms, please contact Chris Addison-Scott of CKD Galbraith on 0141 953 3070 or email chris.addison-scott@ckdgalbraith.co.uk.

About CKD Galbraith

CKD Galbraith is an independent property consultancy specialising in serving the needs of private clients. It employs over 160 people in offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Cupar, Inverness, Aberfeldy, Castle Douglas, Ayr, Elgin, Galashiels, Kelso and Peebles.

The partnership provides the full range of property consulting services across the commercial, residential and rural sectors throughout Scotland. The company’s rural arm specialises in farm sales and purchases, the management and sale of large estates and woodland, valuations and building surveying work.

The company enjoys a successful relationship with its associate firm in London, CKD Kennedy Macpherson, as well as providing a range of services to the farming community through an association with United Auctions, Scotland’s leading livestock auctioneers and procurement specialists.

Ayr office:

CKD Galbraith
7 Killoch Place
Ayr KA7 2EA
Ayrshire, Scotland

Contact: R A Cherry BSc MRICS
Tel: 01292 268181
Fax: 01292 292300
E-mail: bob.cherry@ckdgalbraith.co.uk
Web: www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk

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Paligap wins Costley and Costley branding account

ELITE Ayrshire Business Circle founder member Paligap has been appointed to rebrand and reposition the prestigious hospitality group Costley and Costley Hoteliers Ltd.

The full service creative agency has been tasked with creating a new family of ten brands that will reflect the individual entity of each of the Costley and Costley establishments, whilst maintaining the heritage that each existing brand already enjoys.


[Pictured: Paligap managing director Stephen Cosh and Costley & Costley Hoteliers Ltd managing director Bill Costley.]

Paligap will also create new websites for each establishment and an e-commerce store for a new Costley and Costley retail venture centering around the groups own manufactured produce.

Costley and Costley is an extremely successful business focused on top of the tree dining and hospitality. With hotels and restaurants such as Lochgreen, Brig o’Doon and the new Beresford, the company caters for a range of markets and has become recognised throughout the nation as one of the leaders in their industry.

Stephen Cosh commented: “We are delighted to be working with one of Scotland’s leading hoteliers. I have always admired what Bill Costley has achieved in such a crowded industry, and I’m looking forward to getting involved in the next exciting steps the business is taking.”

For further information:

Paligap
Apex House
1 Carrick Road
Ayr KA7 2RA
Ayrshire, Scotland

Contact: Stephen Cosh, Managing Director
Tel: 01292 263777
Fax: 01292 285334
E-mail: stephen@paligap.com
Web: www.paligap.com

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On course to build new Ayrshire links golf resort

PLANS to build a prestigious new multi-million pound links course on the west coast of Scotland close to Turnberry, Prestwick and Troon have taken a major step forward.


The Ayrshire Golf Company has completed negotiations with Irvine Bay Regeneration Company to construct a new 18-hole links course complete with adjoining hotel and a selection of fraction-freehold holiday homes next to the existing Dundonald golf course at Western Gailes.

To view a video podcast of Brian Keating, director of The Ayrshire and founder/developer of Machrihanish Dunes, outlining the vision of The Ayrshire golf resort: CLICK HERE

Construction of the par 71 golf course and hotel facility with clubhouse, professionals shop, spa, restaurant and conference facilities is now expected to start next year (2010) and should see the creation of around 250 construction jobs once final planning permission has been obtained from North Ayrshire Council.

The £60million project, known as The Ayrshire, will be overseen by the same team who were responsible for what has been dubbed the world’s most environmentally friendly golf course, Machrihanish Dunes.

“The project is very exciting, it’s the newest links course on the west coast of Scotland,” said Brian Keating, director of The Ayrshire and founder/developer of Machrihanish Dunes.

“We see the project as a bookend to Turnberry. One of the most exciting things for me is that it is in Ayrshire. A lot of people forget that while St Andrews is the spiritual soul of golf Ayrshire is definitely the heart of golf.

“It’s where the Open started and it’s close to Prestwick Airport which brings in hundreds of thousands of European golfers every year to play in Scotland.”

At Machrihanish Dunes developers worked closely with ecologists and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to ensure the handmade course caused as little environmental disturbance as possible.

The course was redesigned to avoid several rare plants and other sensitive wildlife while the greens were all cut and laid by hand. Even the rough was managed by a breed of rare Hebridean sheep instead of using a lawnmower.

“The Ayrshire site isn’t as environmentally sensitive as Machrihanish Dunes but it will still be a major consideration.” said Mr Keating.

“We will redevelop the land, which has had an assortment of industrial uses, and try to take it back to how it probably looked 150 years ago, as well as carefully restoring any damage that has occurred on the SSSI fringe of the site.

“Looking after the environment is vital when you’re building an authentic links course. We are the only people who have built a golf course on a SSSI site so you could say we are the most sensitive golf course developers in the country.”

On completion The Ayrshire will require the staffing of around 90 full time and 45 part time jobs ranging from green keeping staff to bar tenders, caddies and hotel managers.

“It is important for us to make The Ayrshire a pay to play course so that it is accessible to as many people as possible and not just another private members course“, said Mr Keating.

“The course backs onto Irvine, so visitors will be able to walk right into the centre of the town. If we can bring thousands of guests from across the UK and abroad to a hotel within walking distance of the central shopping precinct in Irvine there will be opportunities for everyone in the local community to benefit.

“I believe the project will fit very nicely with some of the other developments which are being planned by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company. We’ve seen some of their plans and we are keeping in step with them to make sure that what we are doing is compatible.”

It’s been estimated by the developers that around 25,000 rounds of golf a year will be played at The Ayrshire. If each golfer spends £200 locally, then the annual benefit to the economy will be £5million.

“We are delighted to get this agreement in place, and that we can hopefully see work begin on site next year,” said Patrick Wiggins, chief executive of Irvine Bay.

“The Ayrshire is one of our flagship projects and we expect it to play a significant role. Not only will it create jobs and wealth and improve the environment and appeal of the area, it also sends out a strong signal that dynamic development is alive and well in this part of the country, and that something very positive is happening in Irvine Bay.

“It is also important to us that this project will create jobs, and enhance skills in the area. We are also delighted that it will be pay as you play – opening up the course and encouraging visitors to the town as well as being accessible for local golfers.”

The creation of The Ayrshire has been welcomed by the Links Association, the international body that campaigns on behalf of links golf.

“The announcement of a new links golf course for Ayrshire is not only good news for the region but also for the future of sustainable golf,” said Malcolm Campbell, chief executive of the Links Association.

“Traditional links golf is the model for responsible golf development in the future. Brian Keating proved at Machrihanish Dunes that golf and ecological and environmental interests can work successfully together for the good of the community.

“The Ayrshire is an exciting project, and will do much to further enhance the region's claim as the heart of links golf.”

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Dalmilling Primary School’s £3 million refurbishment completed

PUPILS, staff and members of the local community are benefiting from the completion of a £3 million refurbishment programme at Dalmilling Primary School in Ayr.


The extensive work, which was phased over a 4-year period, has transformed the school buildings with new external cladding, toilets, ceilings, floors, heating system, electrics, windows and ICT equipment. All classrooms were also redecorated and refurbished.

A significant part of the refurbishment project at Dalmilling School was carried out by Ayrshire-based building contractors William Skinner & Son, - project manager Jim McCurdy.


William Skinner & Son managing director Sandy Cunningham (pictured above) commented: “We value greatly the excellent working relationship that we have built up with South Ayrshire Council, and are delighted to have contributed significantly to this latest part of their schools refurbishment programme.

“We carry out work throughout the UK, but will always remain true to our roots here in Ayrshire”

A special evening was held at the school for invited guests, pupils, staff and parents, to celebrate the completion of the work. The entertainment, that was enjoyed by all, included several songs by the school choir, children’s thoughts, a pageant, ‘The Wee Malkies’ and ‘Reply to the Wee Malkies’.


Councillor Douglas Campbell (pictured above), who officially opened the newly refurbished school said: “Dalmilling Primary has been transformed beyond all recognition.

“All the staff at the school are very enthusiastic, and they ensured that the education of the pupils continued as normal during this extensive refurbishment, and created an atmosphere in which the pupils can learn and grow into happy, confident and knowledgeable young people.

“The changes at the school clearly demonstrate our commitment to education, and to upgrading the school estate to ensure our children enjoy a quality education in a quality environment. Since 2008, as part of the PPP project, schools have also been completed at Monkton, Alloway, Barassie, Belmont and Prestwick with a new annexe completed at Kyle Academy.

Bill Milligan, head teacher of the school said: “Dalmilling Primary will celebrate its 50th birthday in April 2010, and the complete refurbishment of the building ensures that the school is more than fit to see the community through another half century and beyond.

“We are very proud of our past traditions and service to the community, and are keen to build on that sure foundation as Dalmilling Primary seeks to respond to the many challenges of the future. The opportunities afforded by a building now fit for the 21st century education are many, and these opportunities will not be lost as we work to provide an education that strives for excellence.”

More images available on Flickr CLICK HERE

South Ayrshire Council - Working to establish South Ayrshire as the most dynamic, inclusive and sustainable community in Scotland.

Contact William Skinner & Son:

Sandy Cunningham
Managing Director
William Skinner & Son
Cunningham House
Highfield
St Quivox
Ayr KA6 5HQ
Ayrshire, Scotland

Tel: 0845 051 9060
Fax: 01292 671133
E-mail: scunningham@williamskinner.co.uk
Website: www.williamskinner.co.uk

LINKS:

PR-Inside allmediascotland

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CKD Galbraith offer Edwardian villa with Loch views on Arran

CKD Galbraith and Arran Estate Agents are marketing a most impressive and well appointed Edwardian House enjoying a superb waterside setting, lying in the heart of Lochranza on the North Eastern coast of the Isle of Arran.


[NOTE: A full selection of photographs of Benvaren and its surrounds is available on Flickr. To view CLICK HERE.]

Benvaren is a superb family residence dating back to 1911. With delightful gardens, the villa has superb views set amid spectacular scenery. The accommodation includes 4 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, kitchen (pictured below), utility rooms, 2 bathrooms and 2 shower rooms. The beautiful wood panelling in the Reception Hall, together with feature fireplaces, cornicing and picture rails all show a style typical of Edwardian Houses.


A former laundry and toilet, together with former maid’s room have Planning Consent to convert to a one bedroom annexe.

The mature and well kept gardens, which are a particular feature of the property, provide a wonderful backdrop slopping gently down towards the shore of the loch.

The village of Lochranza is truly stunning, lying snuggled in a sheltered valley along the edge of the loch, against an imposing backdrop of the surrounding hills. The nearby 17th century ruins of Lochranza Castle were once a royal hunting lodge and an earlier castle on the same site is believed to be where Robert Bruce stayed on his arrival from Ireland in 1306.

Often referred to as 'Scotland in Miniature', the Isle of Arran has the best of all the many characteristics of Scotland. From a rugged and mountainous interior in the north, green rolling hills and woodland in the south, the beautiful coastline with pretty villages and sandy bays benefits from the warm climate of The Gulf Stream. A ferry service from Lochranza provides a Summer link to the Kintyre peninsula, known as Arran’s “back door”, whilst a further regular service to the mainland operates from nearby Brodick.

Benvaren is probably one of the “hidden gems” of Lochranza and it is rare for such a property to come on the market.

Offers Over £485,000 are being sought for Benvaren. For further information please contact the selling agents.

CKD Galbraith
7 Killoch Place
Ayr KA7 2EA
Ayrshire, Scotland

Contact: R A Cherry BSc MRICS
Tel: 01292 268181
Fax: 01292 292300
E-mail: bob.cherry@ckdgalbraith.co.uk
Web: www.ckdgalbraith.co.uk

CKD Galbraith is one of Scotland’s leading independent property consultancies, with expertise across a broad spectrum of property-related services.

CKD Galbraith operates from 12 offices across Scotland, bringing the firm’s clients a wealth of experience in:

* Residential property sales and lets
* Commercial property sales and management
* Estate, farm and forestry sales and purchases
* Estates, farming and land management
* Building surveying
* Forestry
* Sporting holidays
* Holiday homes

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‘Thistle do’ nicely for tourism and golf in South Ayrshire

THE Senior Open Golf Championship, held at Troon in 2008 has been recognised by Event Scotland, after reaching the finals of the International Events and Festivals category of their 2009 Scottish Thistle Awards.


[Pictured: Tom Watson, runner up at the British Open Championship at Turnberry in 2009, and British Seniors Champion in 2007, 2005 and 2003.]

As one of the key golf events on The European Senior Tour, the Championship was contested over the links course at Royal Troon Golf Club, and attracted over 41,000 spectators and participants from 34 countries across the world.

Tours were arranged for key representatives to visit local attractions such as Burns Cottage, Culzean Castle and whisky tasting at Turnberry.

Another successful and new initiative was the introduction of a ‘Family Day’ with a range of special activities for children, which included clubgolf – an initiative linked to promoting junior golfing excellence.

A total of 36 tourism related businesses and events from all over Scotland were honoured at the awards, which are possibly the most coveted accolades in the industry, celebrating quality and innovation across a range of categories.

Provost Winifred Sloan said: “For the Seniors Open to reach the final of the Scottish Thistle Awards is a direct reflection of the hard work and commitment of all those involved in bringing the Championship to South Ayrshire.

“The event ranks as one of the biggest in the golfing calendar, and we were fully geared up to promote South Ayrshire as a vibrant and welcoming tourist destination - a message we were proud to repeat for the 2009 British Open Golf Championship held at Turnberry in this, the Scottish Year of Homecoming.

“Tourism and the economic benefits it brings is a key driver in South Ayrshire’s Council’s aim to establish this area as the most dynamic, inclusive and sustainable community in Scotland.

“On behalf of the Council, I extend my warmest congratulations to all those involved in ensuring the success of the Seniors Open, and their recognition at national level is richly deserved”.

Well over 200 entries were received for this year’s Scottish Thistle Awards. Each category has its own independent panel of judges, who work to a strict scoring system to determine the shortlist of entrants, finalists and eventual winners.

Now in their 18th year, the Event Scotland Thistle Awards are open to all businesses operating in Scotland’s tourism industry.

Bringing together organisations from every sector of tourism in Scotland, the Awards ceremony is staged annually at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre. The Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of the finalists who are exemplars in their field and whose hard work and innovation has been commended by panels of their peers.

In particular the awards seek to recognise and reward:

* Excellence in Scotland’s tourism industry in all areas and at all levels.

* Quality service and products which reflect all that is great in Scotland’s world-reputed and foremost industry.

* Professionalism, innovation and creative thinking within the industry. 

South Ayrshire Council: “Working to establish South Ayrshire as the most dynamic, inclusive and sustainable community in Scotland.”

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