Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants
appoint Lyndsay Mowat to winning team

LEADING Ayrshire firm of Chartered Accountants Sinclair Scott has announced the appointment of Lyndsay Mowat as the latest addition to its expanding team based in Ayr.


Lyndsay, 34, pictured above, was educated at Wellington School in Ayr, and went on to gain an MA honours degree in Economics at St Andrew’s University. She then won a Robert T. Jones Memorial Trust Scholarship to Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

On returning to Scotland, Lyndsay trained as an accountant with the firm of William Duncan & Co, and in 2003 was appointed as Bursar at Wellington School, Ayr.

As well as her new appointment with Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants, she is also studying part-time for a master’s degree in Financial Economics.


[Pictured: Lyndsay Mowat, second from right, with three of the senior Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants team - left to right, Gordon Nelson, Fiona Campbell and Lindsay Beck.]

Commenting on Lyndsay’s appointment, Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants partner Andrew Sinclair said: “We are delighted that Lyndsay has decided to join our team.

“As a people business we need to attract good quality staff to ensure that our clients receive the best advice.

“We already have a strong team, and Lyndsay’s addition will help us to maintain and enhance the services which we offer to our clients.”

LINKS:

www.sinclairscott.com

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Ayrshire wind farm projects given Scottish Government approval

By: Murdoch MacDonald

SCOTLAND’S green energy strategy has taken another step forward with Scottish Government approval for two wind farms in South Ayrshire capable of generating electricity for 117,000 homes.


The 60 turbine, 180 Megawatt (MW) Arecleoch wind farm near Barrhill in South Ayrshire - set to be Scotland's fourth largest - will generate enough electricity for 76,000 homes.

The 28 turbine, 84 MW Mark Hill wind farm also in South Ayrshire will generate electricity for 41,000 homes.

These projects will make a significant contribution to the Scottish Government’s target of 31 per cent of electricity from renewables by 2011.


Energy Minister Jim Mather (pictured above) said: “The Scottish Government's approval for two more wind farms is a significant step in our drive to turn Scotland into the green energy capital of Europe.

“Scotland has a vast array of potentially cheap, renewable energy sources, from our waters, our waves and our wind. And we are turning that potential into a reality with a progressive and distinct approach to make renewables a driver of sustainable economic growth.

“Our ambitious renewables targets set the right strategy for Scotland, but we can’t stop here. We are committed to meeting the EU target of 20 per cent of all energy demand coming from renewables by 2020. Coupled with the opportunities from the need to tackle climate change, we are investing in making Scotland the natural home for a thriving and diverse renewables industry.”

The Scottish Government has set a target to produce 31 per cent of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2011, and 50 per cent by 2020.

Any proposal to construct, extend or operate an onshore wind farm in Scotland with a generation capacity in excess of 50 MW requires the consent of Scottish Ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989.

The Scottish Government’s Energy Consents Unit is currently processing 35 renewable project applications - 26 wind farms, eight hydro projects and one wave project.

Current installed renewables capacity is 2.8 Gigawatts (GW). One GW of renewable capacity is currently under construction. Current renewable applications to Ministers under section 36 of the Electricity Act amount to 3.3 GW, which, in line with processes for environmental assessment, public consultation and where appropriate public local inquiry, are all at various stages of the consents process and still to be determined.

The Energy Consents Unit has also provided pre-application scoping opinions for a further 1.7 GW of potential renewable development.

Sixteen energy projects have now been determined by this Scottish Government. This includes consent for Scotland’s second largest wind farm in Dumfries and Galloway, and Scotland's third largest wind farm in Perthshire.

In Scotland between 2005 and 2006:

* Electricity generated by renewable sources (apart from hydro natural flow) increased by 46 per cent.
* In 2006, Scotland could have supplied 92.5 per cent of its electricity needs from non-nuclear sources.
* As a result of unplanned outages, nuclear’s share of generation fell from 38 per cent to 26 per cent in Scotland.

www.scotland.gov.uk

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There are currently 276 Ayrshire business stories permanently archived on this site. To locate those of most interest to you, please use the site search facility in the top left hand corner of this page. Type your search term in the white box, then click “SEARCH BLOG”.

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Scotland’s First Minister
and South Ayrshire Provost
unveil Homecoming programme

By: Murdoch MacDonald

FIRST MINISTER of Scotland Alex Salmond has unveiled the nationwide programme of celebration for Homecoming Scotland 2009 that has been inspired by the 250th anniversary next year of the birth of Scotland’s national Bard, Robert Burns.

Scotland’s Homecoming celebrations will run from Burns Night (25 January) to St Andrew’s Day (30 November) 2009 across more than 50 locations. A programme of more than 100 events has been organised around the five main themes of the Homecoming, these are the Bard himself, Whisky, Golf, Great Scottish Minds and Innovations and Scotland’s culture and heritage.


South Ayrshire will be the focal point for the Burns 250th Anniversary Weekend that starts the 2009 activities. The official Homecoming Burns Supper being held at the Brig O’ Doon in Alloway forms the central feature of the world’s biggest virtual Burns Supper Celebration, and marks a full weekend of exciting activities taking place in and around Ayr over the weekend of 24 and 25 January 2009.

South Ayrshire Council will be working closely with a wide range of partners, community and voluntary organisations and local businesses to ensure that visitors to South Ayrshire enjoy a really special welcome with a range of exciting events planned throughout the year.


South Ayrshire Council Provost Winifred Sloan (pictured above) said: “As the birth place of Robert Burns and the Open Golf Championship, South Ayrshire attracts visitors from all over the world, and I can think of no better year to visit than in 2009, the 250th anniversary of the birth of our national Bard, when South Ayrshire will be at the epicentre of Homecoming 2009.

“I would encourage people who were born or grew up in this area to come home during this very special time. Likewise for Scottish people who live abroad, have Scottish ancestors, business connections or simply those who love all things Scottish - make a commitment to yourself to come to South Ayrshire in 2009.

“Many international sports stars, inventors, artists, academics and business people are Scottish, and know the importance of their heritage and culture.

“Come and visit South Ayrshire and we can promise you lots to see and do and a very warm welcome.”

Many events are being planned across Ayrshire during Homecoming 2009 including:

January 24 – 25 2009: Burns 250th Anniversary Weekend

March 29 2009: Mauchline Plough Match. www.mauchlineburnsclub.com

April 24 – 27 2009 REME Association Reunion Scotland 2009.

May 2009: Mauchline Holy Fair. www.mauchlineburnsclub.com

May 16 – 24 2009: Burns an ‘a’ That! 2009. www.burnsfestival.com

June 1 – 30 August 2009 – The Whole in One Exhibition Maclaurin Galleries www.themaclaurin.org.uk

July 13 – 18 2009: The Open Golf Championship. www.opengolf.com

July 24 – 26 2009: Mauchline Homecoming Marquee. www.mauchlineburnsclub.com

August 7 - 30 2009: Ayr Flower Show. www.ayrflowershow.org

January – November 2009: North Carrick Burns Celebration. www.may-tag.com

February – May 2009: Creative Burns. www.futuremuseum.co.uk

May – September 2009: Ayrshire Innovators.

* * *

AND First Minister Alex Salmond (pictured below) has called for all Scots to invite Scotland’s international friends and family to join the year of Homecoming 2009.


Unveiling the nationwide programme for 2009 of over 100 new and enhanced events, designed to celebrate Scotland’s first ever year of Homecoming, the First Minister launched an e-card to help all Scots spread the word.

Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, Homecoming 2009 will be a celebration of the great contributions Scotland has made to the world. It is also a chance for Scots around the world to reconnect and engage with their heritage.

Alex Salmond said: “With so many exciting events taking place across the country, 2009 will be a fantastic year to invite people around the world, with either an ancestral link or affinity for Scotland, to come home.

“Already we are seeing success, with Forbes Magazine announcing plans to return to Scotland for the first time in nearly 100 years to host their annual European CEO Forum. This will be an influential business conference and an opportunity to show global business leaders that Scotland is a dynamic nation, with an exciting future.

“I want to urge everyone in Scotland to play their part in what will be the biggest ever celebration of Scotland's achievements and culture, and our ties of family and friendship around the world.

“Whether by using your guid Scotch tongue, writing, or sending an e-card - I hope everyone across Scotland will join the call.”

Highlights of the events planned across Scotland include:

* A Burns 250th anniversary weekend, including a campaign to create the world’s biggest virtual Burns Supper celebration.
* A Homecoming theme for Aberdeen’s Word 09 literary festival.
* An exhibition of contemporary art inspired by Burns, to be held in Glasgow’s Mitchell Library, featuring works by John Byrne, Tracy Emin, Graham Fagen and David Mach.
* A celebration of the Caledonian Canal, with a flotilla travelling the length of the canal from Fort William to Inverness.
* The Open Golf’s return to Turnberry.
* The first ever Whisky Galore festival, to be held on Barra.
* One of the largest clan gatherings in history, to be held in Edinburgh.

The programme will further develop over the coming months. For a full events listing and to register for programme updates go to www.homecomingscotland2009.com

www.scotland.gov.uk

www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport launches new property website

By: Neil Richardson

GLASGOW PRESTWICK AIRPORT today launched a new microsite which is dedicated exclusively to its property portfolio.

The site complements the airport’s primary website and provides interested parties with information on all available property, including detailed accommodation descriptions, layouts and prices.


[Pictured: Aerial view of Glasgow Prestwick Airport. CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

It also offers a more user-friendly layout and an updated look, and customers can search for property by type or location.

To make navigating the site even easier, the search function includes an interactive airport map that allows users to click on their preferred location and link directly to the details of specific properties.

As a Gateway to Scotland, the airport allows customers to operate more efficiently by capitalising on the connectivity of the airport location to the other main transport infrastructures including rail, sea and road.

With the added benefit of conference and training facilities on site, the airport is the ideal commercial hub for businesses to take advantage of its strategic location.

In addition to the business facilities customers can also take advantage of new food, beverage and retail facilities.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport commercial manager Arlane Fleming said: “This new site gives us greater exposure when it comes to promoting the property assets we have here.

“It contains detailed information about what we have available to lease or rent, and the information is there for anyone who wants it. Potential customers can now search for property outwith office hours if they wish.”

Among the property assets showcased on the new website is the 36-acre residential quarters of the former military base HMS Gannet, comprising 214 rooms and amenities like tennis courts, playing fields and a gym. This would lend itself ideally to hostel-style accommodation or other residential use.

The site also features a commercial area which has a wide variety of self-contained light industrial/commercial and office units with car parking / yard facilities.

To view Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s property website CLICK HERE

www.glasgowprestwick.com

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Turnberry golf resort and hotel’s
new owners plan £28m refurbishment

By: Murdoch MacDonald

TURNBERRY, the historic Ayrshire golf resort that will host next year’s Open Championship, has been purchased by one of the Middle East’s biggest sovereign wealth funds.


[Pictured: Ayrshire's Turnberry Golf Resort and Hotel. CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

Dubai World, the state-controlled investment firm that owns the QE2 and Tilbury and Southampton docks, has announced that it has agreed to acquire the Scottish venue from its present American owners Starwood Hotels & Resorts for £55 million.

It is buying Turnberry through Leisurecorp, which was set up two years ago as an offshoot of Dubai World to acquire and develop a portfolio of investments in the sports and leisure sector.


Leisurecorp expects to complete the deal by the end of October and plans to close the hotel for an upgrade costing around £28 million. The reopening is scheduled for next May, in time for the Open Championship in July.

Under the terms of the sale, Starwood will continue to run the resort under a 30-year-plus management contract, although the investment programme will lead the hotel to be rebranded from Westin to Starwood’s Luxury Collection.

Turnberry boasts two 18-hole Championship courses – the Ailsa, which has hosted the Open Championship three times, and the Kintyre. There is also the nine-hole Arran Course and the Colin Montgomerie Links Golf Academy.

Leisurecorp’s chief executive of golf David Spencer said the firm was aware how important the resort was to Scotland, and pledged to maintain and improve its high standards.

“I think that anyone who has an understanding of the history of golf sees Turnberry as a must-play destination at some stage in their life. It holds a very special place in the history of golf and also the history of Scotland.

“Our agreement with Starwood to acquire Turnberry is something we have been working on for a long time.

“In our investment in the game of golf, we are very patient about it and very respectful of the role Turnberry has played in the heritage of golf.”

He said he was aware of Donald Trump’s proposed golf course in Aberdeenshire, but expected the two resorts to be very different. He added that the firm would be liaising with the locals and the acquisition was likely to create a number of jobs.


Leisurecorp’s chief executive Alan Rogers said that he saw an opportunity to “create something really special and extraordinary” and to transform Turnberry into “the ultimate golf resort”.

He said that there was an opportunity to profit from the “huge untapped potential of Scotland as a tourist destination” and to broaden the site’s facilities so that it is not reliant solely on golf. “Gleneagles is a good model,” he said.

Mr Rogers said that the refurbishment of the main 130-room hotel - it has a further 79 rooms in cottages and lodges - would be the first phase of a five-year redevelopment of the 800-acre resort.

Starwood has previously highlighted the potential of 300 acres of undeveloped land, which could be used for construction of exclusive villas.

Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said he was “delighted” at the acquisition of the “world-class destination”.

The parent group owns a vast and varied portfolio which is split into transport and logistics; dry docks and maritime; urban development; and investment and financial services.

LINKS:

Turnberry

Leisurecorp

Starwood Hotels

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Ayrshire entrepreneur Ross McKinnon
wins Moffat Award for boosting tourism

By: Jen Nash

A CORPORATE EVENTS specialist from Ayrshire has won a prestigious award at the inaugural Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust / Moffat Charitable Trust Awards for Travel & Tourism, held in Glasgow.


[Pictured: Mr Jamie Moffat of the Moffat Charitable Trust, Ross McKinnon of Amazing Days Scotland and Mark Strudwick, chief executive of the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust. CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

Ross McKinnon from Kilmarnock and founder of Amazing Days Scotland, won the Moffat Award for excellent customer service as well as a £1,000 cash prize at an awards ceremony to recognise outstanding young businesses demonstrating best practice, excellent customer service and positive economic and community impact in the Scottish travel and tourism sector.

The Moffat Awards were unveiled by the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) in July last year, thanks to The Moffat Charitable Trust which has pledged almost £300,000 to support the Awards.

Ross McKinnon (27) launched his business with the help of a PSYBT loan in 2006 and specialises in offering unusual and memorable packages for corporate as well as private clients. These include experiencing Loch Lomond by speedboat, the Southern Highlands by seaplane and the Highlands by horseback.

Last year PSYBT supported over 80 tourism businesses offering goods and services that enhance the community and overall visitor experience of Scotland. Commenting, PSYBT chief executive Mark Strudwick said: “Today’s winners are shining examples of the large numbers of young entrepreneurs who are playing a leading role in creating outstanding visitor attractions and experiences in Scotland. It is thanks to The Moffat Charitable Trust that the contribution and positive community impact of young businesses such as those here today are being recognised.”

Speaking on behalf of The Moffat Charitable Trust, Mr Jamie Moffat said: “We are delighted to be supporting young people who have a passion for business, to play a leading role in enhancing tourism in Scotland. The judging was extremely difficult, but today’s finalists are very worthy winners.”

PSYBT was launched in January 1989 and is a national organisation with offices in 18 regions across Scotland. To date, 8,545 (10,118 proprietors) businesses have been assisted with £30.9m awarded - £27.5m in loans (89%) and £3.4m in grants (11%).

The Moffat Trust is named after one of Scotland’s best known names in the travel and tourism industry, Mr Jim Moffat, co-founder of AT Mays. Founded in Saltcoats in Ayrshire in the 1950s as All Travel by Mr Jim Moffat and his wife Margie Moffat, AT Mays grew to become the third largest travel group in the UK, eventually employing over 2,500 people.

www.amazingdays-scotland.com

www.psybt.org.uk

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digg reddit del.icio.us propeller

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Ayr Racecourse attracts record crowds
for Scottish Grand National Festival

By: Our Own Correspondent

ALMOST 22,000 people flocked to Ayr Racecourse over last weekend for the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival.


[CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The two-day crowd was the largest for more than 25 years, with 5,500 in attendance on Friday and more than 17,200 on Saturday.

And a staggering 1.1 million viewers watched the race live on Channel 4 – a significant increase on last year.

The new £4.5 million Grandstand Bar opened for the first time, and was voted a great success. One racegoer, Alan Clarke from Ayr said: “The facilities here have improved greatly. The new bar is a tremendous asset, and there was very little queuing over the two days.”

More than 1,500 people stayed on to watch The Saw Doctors on Friday night and the Irish rockers played a set that lasted almost two hours.

It certainly was thirsty work over the weekend, and almost 50,000 pints of beer were sold and bar taking were up on the same weekend last year.

Tote turnover at their on course betting outlets was also appreciably up year on year, and the 18 new bookmakers pitches in the Paddock Lawn area and in the Grandstand also reported brisk business.

A total of 800 staff were on hand to make sure everything ran smoothly, and a huge fleet of taxis ferried punters into Ayr and Prestwick and other surrounding towns and villages after racing, ensuring a huge spin-off for the local community.

Racecourse spokesman Iain Ferguson said: “The weekend was a great success, and my phone has been red-hot with people congratulating the team at Ayr on a job well done.

“In addition to the great crowd, we also had increased media interest, and had the Channel 4 racing team here, two BBC Television crews, a team from Scottish Television, BBC radio news and sports reporters, local radio journalists and an army of writers and photographers from all the leading newspapers in the UK and Ireland.

”The Ayrshire economy will have had a huge spin-off running well into seven figures, with local hotels, bars, restaurants, taxi operators and shops all benefiting.”

www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk

* * *

Building contractors Skinners officially open
new Southern Office in Cambridgeshire

By: Murdoch MacDonald

AYRSHIRE-based building contractors William Skinner & Son have officially opened the new premises of their Southern Office in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire. It was formerly in Saffron Walden, Essex.

The official opening ceremony was performed by Andrew Lansley CBE, MP for South Cambridgeshire on Thursday 17 March 2008.


[Pictured: William Skinner & Son chairman John Quinton (left) and managing director Sandy Cunningham (right) welcome Andrew Lansley to the new premises of the company’s Southern Office in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire.]


[Pictured: Andrew Lansley CBE, MP for South Cambridgeshire about to cut the ribbon to officially open the new Southern Office premises of Ayrshire-based building contractors William Skinner & Son. CLICK ON PICTURES TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSIONS.]

Founded in 1964, Skinners made their first move down south five years ago, renting a site and offices in Saffron Walden in Essex from which to carry out the substantial amount of refurbishment work they were then doing for supermarket giant Tesco.

But the company’s recent expansion and diversification into new areas of business including renewable energy and tree houses has made necessary the purchase of their own larger facilities comprising an 8,000 sq ft yard, 1,900 sq ft of office space, and a 1,620 sq ft warehouse.

William Skinner & Son managing director Sandy Cunningham said: “Our commitment at Cambridge is a measure of the importance to us of the market in London, the South East, Midlands and East Anglia.

“The Meldreth base provides high quality warehouse, workshop and office accommodation from which we can develop and control our market penetration. It has capacity for expansion to support several times its present level of activity.”

Combining the expertise and manpower of their Ayrshire headquarters on the perimeter of Prestwick Airport and the new site at Cambridge, Skinners have recently completed a second tree house for UK hotel and conference venue company De Vere at Shirrell Heath near Southampton.

The first tree house that Skinners built for de Vere at their Theobalds Park venue in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire has been a commercial success for the client as an unusual conference and seminar facility.

Sandy Cunningham commented: “Tree houses have, of course, been used for many years – as offices, play rooms, workshops, studios, tearooms, spare bedrooms.

“But whereas they might once have been seen as expensive, eccentric and extravagant, current building costs and the availability of new materials have resulted in their becoming a practical alternative to conventional construction.”

In addition to tree houses, William Skinner & Son has also made a successful entrance into the solar heating market, attracting a large number of new clients in England and Scotland.

The aim now is to offer general advice on the suitability of any of the available renewable energy techniques, or any mix of them, to solve individual energy supply problems, and they are developing a consortium of available local expertise to help them develop that.

Managing director Sandy Cunningham concluded: “William Skinner & Son is now expanding satisfactorily on all fronts from our headquarters in Ayrshire and our new base in south-east England. We are traditional building contractors who have developed a diverse range of untraditional new skills, and we want potential clients in England and in Scotland to be aware of the comprehensive building skills and experience that we offer.”

For further information visit www.williamskinner.co.uk

William Skinner & Son
Cunningham House
Highfield
St Quivox
Ayr KA6 5HQ

SOUTHERN OFFICE:
College Farm Business Centre
North End
Meldreth, Cambridgeshire
SG8 6NT

Telephone: 0845 051 9070
Fax: 01763 262916

Contact: Sandy Cunningham
Managing Director
Tel: 01292 671188
Fax: 01292 671133
E-mail: scunningham@williamskinner.co.uk

This article on Skinner's website CLICK HERE

* * *

Ayr Racecourse all set for the Scottish Grand National Festival

By: Iain Ferguson

SCOTLAND’S premier jumps meeting, the Coral Scottish Grand National Festival takes place at Ayr racecourse on Friday 18 April and Saturday 19 April, with 15 races over the two days.


Prize money for the meeting is at an all-time high of £563,000 and on Saturday there are two races counting for the BHA Order of Merit Series - the Coral Scottish Grand National which carries a prize fund of £200,000 and the £100,000 Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle.


[Pictured: Hot Weld, winner of the Scottish Grand National 2007.]

Other major races over the two days include on Friday 18 April the £30,000 Coral Supporting Poppyscotland Mares Only Handicap Hurdle over two miles and the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase, also with £30,000 in prize money, over two miles four furlongs.

On Coral Scottish Grand National Day, the Ashleybank Investments Future Champion Novices’ Chase over two miles four furlongs has £50,000 on offer, while the Albert Bartlett & Sons Handicap Chase over two miles has £30,000 in prize money.

There are many other attractions over the two days, including a live appearance after racing on Friday by Irish folk rock band The Saw Doctors. Always popular with the racing fraternity, this five-piece band will play in the new £4.5 million Grandstand Bar which will open for the first time that day.

While The Saw Doctors are playing in the Grandstand Bar, the Horseshoe Bar will have a disco blasting out the latest sounds. And on both days the party mood will be obvious as soon as the doors open and the samba sounds of Beats of Brazil will be heard in the paddock area.

On Saturday, the Criterion Jazz Band will also be playing during the afternoon, and on both days racegoers will arrive to the sounds of traditional Scottish music played by pipers. And after racing on Saturday, Reload will play in the Horseshoe Bar.

Another splendid new facility opening on Friday 18 April is the Owners Bar situated on the ground floor of the Princess Royal Stand. This luxurious Bar will not only cater for owners and trainers but also Owners Bar members who pay a special premium rate to join. In addition to bar and restaurant facilities there is also an exclusive betting shop.

To book, log on to www.ayr-racecourse.co.uk or by telephone 0870-8505666.

Ayr Racecourse and the associated Western House Hotel are members of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle.

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Andrew Lansley MP to open William Skinner's new Southern Office

By: Murdoch MacDonald

Andrew Lansley CBE, MP for South Cambridgeshire (pictured below) will be performing the opening ceremony at Ayrshire-based building contractors William Skinner & Son’s new Southern Office premises in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire at 4pm on Thursday 17 April.


Members of the media are cordially invited to send a journalist and/or cameraman to cover the proceedings.

Founded in Ayrshire in 1964, Skinners made their first move down south five years ago, renting a site and offices in Saffron Walden in Essex from which to carry out the substantial amount of refurbishment work they were then doing for supermarket giant Tesco.

But the company’s recent expansion and diversification into new areas of business including renewable energy and tree houses has made necessary the purchase of their own larger facilities comprising an 8,000 sq ft yard, 1,900 sq ft of office space, and a 1,620 sq ft warehouse.


William Skinner & Son managing director Sandy Cunningham (pictured above) said: “Our commitment at Cambridge is a measure of the importance to us of the market in London, the South East, Midlands and East Anglia.

“The Meldreth base provides high quality warehouse, workshop and office accommodation from which we can develop and control our market penetration. It has capacity for expansion to support several times its present level of activity.”

Combining the expertise and manpower of their Ayrshire headquarters on the perimeter of Prestwick Airport and the new site at Cambridge, Skinners have recently completed a second tree house for UK hotel and conference venue company De Vere at Shirrell Heath near Southampton.

The first tree house that Skinners built for de Vere at their Theobalds Park venue in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire has been a commercial success for the client as an unusual conference and seminar facility.

Sandy Cunningham commented: “Tree houses have, of course, been used for many years – as offices, play rooms, workshops, studios, tearooms, spare bedrooms.

“But whereas they might once have been seen as expensive, eccentric and extravagant, current building costs and the availability of new materials have resulted in their becoming a practical alternative to conventional construction.”

In addition to tree houses, William Skinner & Son has also made a successful entrance into the solar heating market, attracting a large number of new clients in England and Scotland.

The aim now is to offer general advice on the suitability of any of the available renewable energy techniques, or any mix of them, to solve individual energy supply problems, and they are developing a consortium of available local expertise to help them develop that.

Managing director Sandy Cunningham concluded: “William Skinner & Son is now expanding satisfactorily on all fronts from our headquarters in Ayrshire and our new base in south-east England. We are traditional building contractors who have developed a diverse range of untraditional new skills, and we want potential clients in England and in Scotland to be aware of the comprehensive building skills and experience that we offer.”

For further information visit www.williamskinner.co.uk

William Skinner & Son
Cunningham House
Highfield
St Quivox
Ayr KA6 5HQ
Scotland

SOUTHERN OFFICE:
College Farm Business Centre
North End
Meldreth, Cambridgeshire
SG8 6NT
England

Telephone: 0845 051 9070
Fax: 01763 262916

Contact: Sandy Cunningham
Managing Director
Tel: 01292 671188
Fax: 01292 671133
E-mail: scunningham@williamskinner.co.uk

* * *

Elite Ayrshire Business Circle debates Alistair Darling’s first Budget

By: Murdoch MacDonald

THE next breakfast meeting of the Elite Ayrshire Business Circle will take place at 8.30am on Friday 14 March 2008.


It will be an up-to-the-minute and extremely topical symposium on the implications of Alistair Darling’s first Budget, presented by Andrew Sinclair (pictured below) of Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants.


Budget Day is just two days earlier on Wednesday 12 March, so Andrew’s analysis of what promises to be the most interesting Budget for some time will be literally hot from the press.

The meeting will be held in the Board Room of the Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centre, Alloway Street in Ayr, and Managing Partner Willie Mackie (pictured below) will also briefly enlighten members about the current economic situation in general. (Credit crunch? What credit crunch?).


Sustenance and refreshment will be provided in the form of the Clydesdale’s unbeatable bacon butties, and ample tea and coffee will be on tap to keep intellects at full throttle.

The meeting is scheduled to end at 10am.

Guests of honour include John Scott, MSP for Ayr, South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan and South Ayrshire Council deputy leader Margaret Toner.

The Elite Ayrshire Business Circle is now on Facebook. Visit:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10685231500

Sinclair Scott Chartered Accountants
3 Wellington Square
Ayr KA7 1EN
Ayrshire, Scotland

Contact: Andrew Sinclair
Tel: 01292 288999
Fax: 01292 272150
E-mail: andrew@sinclairscott.com
Web: www.sinclairscott.com

* * *

Derek Richardson joins MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers

THE Directors of MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers are delighted to announce that Derek Richardson (pictured below) has joined the company as an Account Executive with effect from Monday 25 February 2008. Derek brings with him a wealth of experience, and is a well respected figure within the broking community.


[CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

MacKay’s are in fact welcoming Derek back to Ayr, where he was based a number of years ago. Derek retains a strong connection with the area, and he is looking forward to getting back into the local community to meet old and new faces.

Derek is particularly experienced in the construction industry, and MacKay’s are delighted to have secured his services.

MacKay Corporate Insurance Brokers
38 Miller Road
Ayr KA7 2AY

Contact: David MacKay
Tel: 01292 611028
Fax: 01292 611179
E-mail: d.mackay@mackaycorporate-brokers.com
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Western House Hotel named as Wedding Hotel of the Year

By: Murdoch MacDonald

AN Ayr hotel has scooped a hotel industry Oscar for the second year in a row - less than three years after opening!

Western House Hotel at Ayr Racecourse has been voted Scottish Wedding Hotel Of The Year 2008 at the prestigious Scottish Hotels Of The Year Awards held at Prestonfield House Hotel, Edinburgh on Sunday evening.


[Picture shows: Western House Hotel Conferencing and Banqueting Manager Jane McRoberts, left, and Wedding Co-ordinator Jean Kerr with the Wedding Hotel of the Year Award. CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

The four-star hotel was chosen by a panel of more than 20 judges including representatives from leading Scottish magazines, VisitScotland and the Scottish Press. More than 500 Scottish hotel industry professionals attended the event.

Now in their 5th year, the Scottish Hotel of the Year awards is the largest event of the year and is hailed as the ‘Oscars’ of the Scottish hotel industry. The event was hosted by BBC presenter Sally Magnusson and attended by guest of honour Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, John Swinney MSP. The evening featured a surprise performance from Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus.

Designed to encourage, recognise and reward excellence in hotels and staff in Scotland, the Scottish Hotels of the Year awards are administered by Scottish hotel review website HotelReviewScotland.com (HRS).

Nominations are made by consumers, industry and HRS reviewers. Final award winners are selected by a proportional combination of online public votes, an Awards Panel made up of well-known industry experts and critics, and finally, a four-strong panel of Award Judges, including renowned food writer Wendy Barrie. The 2008 awards attracted votes from over 20,000 people worldwide.


William Gorol (pictured above), General Manager of Ayr Racecourse, owners of the Western House Hotel, was naturally proud of the award, and said: “The success is down to having a great team from our wedding co-ordinator through to the hotel management and chefs, restaurant staff and bar staff.

“I was fortunate enough to be here when Western House Hotel opened, and was given the task of hand picking my staff and I can’t be happier with what we have achieved in so short a period of time.”

Chairman of the Scottish Hotel of the Year awards Gary McLean remarked: “We are delighted to award Western House Hotel with a Wedding Hotel of the Year – Large for their consistent excellence and innovation in the dynamic and demanding weddings market. We are especially delighted to have awarded Western House Hotel’s Jean Kerr with a Special Commendation – Wedding Coordinator for her dedication to excellence.”


In 2007 Western House held more than 150 weddings, and that figure looks certain to be topped this year. Last October Western House also won a coveted VisitScotland Thistle Award for Customer Care – Service Accommodation.

The 49-bedroom destination was formerly the meeting place and offices of the Western Meeting Club, owners of Ayr Racecourse until 2003. It opened as a hotel on 3 June 2005.

Visit the Western House Hotel website: CLICK HERE

And the Ayr Racecourse website: CLICK HERE

Ayrshire Scotland Business News....
- where Ayrshire business news breaks first!
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Costley and Costley open Souter Johnnie’s Inn
in Kirkoswald Ayrshire

From Our Own Correspondent

Costley & Costley Hoteliers has this month opened the £1 million Souter Johnnie’s Inn at Kirkoswald, near Turnberry in Ayrshire.


[CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION.]

Set to play a central role in the regeneration of the village by placing Kirkoswald at the very heart of Burns Country, Souter Johnnie’s Inn is located alongside Robert Burns’ former schoolhouse and adjacent to the old graveyard where the world famous drouthy cronies Tam o’ Shanter and Souter Johnnie are buried.


The thatched roofed Souter Johnnie’s Inn, which has capacity for 160 diners, is part of an expansive development comprising a number of small retail units, including a food hall, flower shop and coffee house which neighbour a specialist whisky shop developed in conjunction with whisky stockist Dewar Rattray.


Costley & Costley chief executive Bill Costley (pictured above) said: “With a strong emphasis on the quality of our food offering, customer service and traditional design, Souter Johnnie’s is ideally located to allow for a brief lunch or refreshment before or after a round of golf, or a sightseeing trip to Burns Country and the wonderful attractions on the west coast of Scotland.

“We’ve enjoyed tremendous support for this development from Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Council, both of which acknowledge the significant contribution that Souter Johnnie’s will make to the regeneration of Kirkoswald.”

The neighbouring whisky shop, meanwhile, incorporates a whisky lounge where diners from Souter Johnnie’s are welcome to taste a malt or fine wine, or to simply relax before or after their meal.

Tim Morrison of Dewar Rattray said: “This specialist whisky retail outlet is an entirely new venture for us, and is something that I’ve always wanted to do. And as it will offer tastings of various whiskies of distinction and incorporate a small museum of artefacts telling the story of whisky and wine production, our hope is that it will quickly establish itself as a destination venue.”

As with all Costley & Costley hotels and inns, Souter Johnnie’s Inn is located within minutes of some of the world’s premier championship golf courses at Royal Troon and Turnberry.

For further information please visit www.costley-hotels.co.uk

Ayrshire to host international heritage
motoring event the Culzean Autoclassica

By: Murdoch MacDonald

AFTER a successful launch last September, Ayrshire is to be the venue for a major annual international heritage motoring event starting this year.


[CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION]

Organised by Autospirit in partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, the first Culzean Autoclassica will take place on Bank Holiday weekend 23-24 August 2008 at Culzean Castle & Country Park.

One of Scotland’s five-star international tourist attractions, the grandeur of the castle and spectacular scenery makes it an inspired choice of venue.

Early forecasts indicate that the first Culzean Autoclassica weekend will be one of the top heritage motoring events in the country, with clubs and owners of vehicles from throughout the UK and Ireland already applying to attend.


Aimed at all marques of transport with particular emphasis towards top or significant marques, the Autoclassica not only features the history of the automobile and motorcycle, but also its associated lifestyle and service-related industries.

It revisits the golden ages of motoring by bringing together on display some of the finest and exotic vehicles in the country that embrace almost a century of motorised transport.


All forms of vehicles will be on display around the castle and estate grounds throughout the weekend, and by inviting all participants and the visiting public to arrive in period dress reflecting the eras of the vehicles present, a surreal atmosphere will be created.

Activities and attractions will include heritage racing and special marque displays, international and street concours d’elegance, classic and auto memorabilia displays, club and single entry enclosures, manufacturers and dealers enclosures, trade village, classic vehicle auctions, fashion shows, hog roast barbecues and live music.

Action events will include a Soap Box Grand Prix, an inter-club driving challenge, and motoring nostalgia with historic racing car demonstration runs, all to be held within the estate grounds.

Other park facilities include a visitors’ centre, shops, restaurants, gardens, children’s play area, deer park and castle with spectacular views over the Firth of Clyde to Arran and Kintyre.

To encourage participation from both manufacturers and dealers, a selection of events will take place both before and after the weekend. These include the Culzean Autoclassica Golf Classic played round the Westin Turnberry Ailsa Championship course, possible historic and modern vehicle demonstration runs at the old Turnberry circuit and scenic drives around the Ayrshire countryside and coastline.

For further information about the 2008 Autoclassica and to check out video clips and the photo album from the September 2007 launch event please check out the website at www.culzeanautoclassica.com or e-mail info@culzeanautoclassica.com

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Tesco’s Great Wee Scottish Walk comes to Allseasons in Galston

TESCO, Scotland’s leading supermarket has been named as the main sponsor of the Great Wee Scottish Walk.

The series of eight walks aimed at children from 2-16 years take place at parks and prime locations across Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, Dumfries, Dundee, Perth and Galston in Ayrshire) on selected dates from April to August 2008.


This will be the first time that a Ayrshire Wee Walk has taken place and this will take place at Allseasons at the Meadows www.allseasonsscotland.com on Sunday 3 August 2008.

It will be the second successive year that Tesco has supported the Wee Walk series of family orientated outdoor events. Participants can either choose to walk or complete a fun run over a distance of two miles for charity or a schools or community project of their choice. For young children there is a toddlers romp and teddy bears picnic. Charity Mascots normally start off the walks and lead the fun. Entrants completing the course will receive a goody bag and a certificate and medal to thank them for participating. The Ayrshire event will also include a bouncy castle, local produce stalls, Chaplin’s Disco Bus, Children’s bungee run, egg and spoon race, youngsters paint ball, live music and inter-community tug of war event.


Tesco marketing manager in Scotland Angus Bell commented: “We are delighted once again to be supporting the Great Wee Scottish Walks – the walks are a fantastic way of encouraging Scottish children of all ages to get active while having fun along the way. The Great Wee Scottish Walks compliment well our Sports for Schools scheme which has seen nearly £2million of sport equipment and coaching given out in Scotland over the past two years.”

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon MSP has endorsed the Wee Walks and said: “In a Scotland where too few children are reaching the recommended healthy levels of physical activity and we are seeing rising levels of childhood obesity, it is hugely encouraging to see organisations like the Great Scottish Walks organise events such as the eight Wee Walks across the country. These walks will introduce children to the fun of taking part in physical activity while at the same time raising funds to benefit individuals and communities across Scotland.”

Great Scottish Walk organiser Priscilla Turner added: “We are delighted that Tesco has renewed their sponsorship of this popular event for 2008. The Wee Walks were first introduced in 2004 and designed to engage children of all ages and to encourage the youngsters to get outdoors and get fitter whilst also participating in an event which enables them to raise funds for charity and community projects in their area and across Scotland. Due to the success of the event in 2007 we have expanded the entry age for 2008 from 11 years up to 16 years inclusive and have also added a new Wee Walk location at Galston, East Ayrshire.”

Entry to a wee walk or fun run is £5 per child (3 to 16 years) and parent / guardians and infants under 3 years walk free. The Toddler romp is a distance of 100 yards – entry to the event is free – please register online.

For full details on the event and visit www.greatscottishwalk.com

Tesco is proud to support initiatives at both a national and local level, which encourage people of all ages and abilities to lead active and healthy lifestyles. In 2008 Tesco are supporting The Great Wee Scottish Walks, Falkirk School of Football, Farmhouse Breakfast Week, Royal Highland Educational Trust – taking the classroom into the Countryside and have teamed up with Kevin Keegan’s Soccer Circus and Glasgow City Council to offer over 850 school children the opportunity to take part in interactive sessions and learn about making healthy food choices. Tesco are also supporting Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life for the seventh year running and our Sports for Schools & Clubs scheme has seen nearly £2million of sports equipment and coaching given out in Scotland over the past two years’.

Great Wee Scottish Walks is part of the Great Scottish Walk series of walking events.

The Great Scottish Walk was first held in Edinburgh in 1998, with over 2,000 walkers taking part in aid of two charities. Now over 6,000 walkers of all ages, fitness and physical ability participate raising in excess of £1 million for over 100 charities. The Walks are promoted to all sections of the community, particularly encouraging groups, teams and families to walk. Inclusivity is one of the keys to the Great Scottish Walk’s success. Participants may choose from one of three distances; the 12, six or one mile course, after which walkers will be presented with a medal, certificate and a product bag.

The Great Scottish Walk is held in Edinburgh (22 June) and Glasgow (25 May). Sponsors of the Great Scottish Walk include - Scottish Slimmers, Highland Spring, Paths to Health, NHS Scotland, Young Scot and the event is also part of the Governments Healthy Living campaign.