Spring in in the air March 2013

When I see the Snow drops I know that Spring is on its way and when the mornings get lighter I see the end to the dark long winter days. It's with a new spring in our step that I write the blog, so much has happened since my last update, our biggest change has been to the Restaurant which has had a total re fit and re brand. Gone the stuffy, starchy feel and in has come a more relaxed casual dining experience with a warmer more atmospheric feel. You can view our restaurant refurbishment video below.

http://youtu.be/KGtcO_CTV7A

The second big change has been the launch of our new spring menu. We've kept some of the classics that you all love but have given the menu a seasonal twist to reflect the change of season and the availability of fresh produce. I had read an article from our good friend Mark Williams on his blog that really stopped me in my tracks, have a read of his blog about local accountability and supply....

http://www.gallowaywildfoods.com/?page_id=455

We try and buy locally but Mark was right - I was unable to tell my Customers where our meat came from and many of my suppliers were unable to offer such information... but I need to know and on the back of the horse meat scandal nothing is now more important. So it was off to Scott Carson in Dalbeattie in search of the best LOCAL beef we could find... oh and Scott - I want to know the name of the farm and the farmer for every fillet and sirloin that comes in to the Hotel, We've even created a blackboard now so that as soon as you walk in you know where our current stock of Beef is from.

The new menu is been received well as too has the refurbishment of the restaurant. I want also to use this blog to say a big thank you to all the Kitchen team and a very warm welcome to Jake Hopkins who joins the team as Chef de Partie. Jake has actually worked with me before when I had the Masonic Arms in Gatehouse of Fleet, he spent a couple of years away and then has made a welcome return. Great to have him on board.

So, new menu, new restaurant, new busy season ahead ( we hope ) - you can keep in touch with us in so many ways via Facebook, Twitter or post a review on Tripadvisor for the restaurant.

Visit our main web site for an up to date listing of What's on at the Selkirk and for information of What's on in Kirkcudbright visit the Kirkcudbright Summer Festivities new facebook page  and of course the new Dumfries and Galloway What's on Guide created by local farmer Robin Baird

And finally for this post - it was great to See Steve Owens back to host another of our popular Stargazing weekends. Steve has been a regular visitor to the hotel over the years since we started putting together Stargazing packages.... he has so much knowledge rattling around in that head that he decided to put it all down on paper for the like of you and me to enjoy - et voila - Steve's new book is now out and available at Amazon or all good bookstores - Our next Stargazing weekend by the way is scheduled for

Happy New Year

Wow - it's been a while since I updated the hotel blog and so much seems to have happened. The weather never really came to anything this summer so we're hoping for a better one this year - 2013 - let's hope we have a scorcher of a summer.

So we headed towards the home straight of summer with an amazing weekend with a Savour the flavour taster menu of " A Taste of Dumfries and Galloway" - it went down well but I was surprised that Savour the Flavours choose the busiest bank holiday weekend of  the year to put it on - we need to have these promotional events in the shoulder months.

Our first SCOTTISH COLOURISTS weekend went really well, a packed hotel enjoyed the relaxed style of course tutor, historian and painter Jeremy Carlisle. We have already scheduled another for the 1st and 2nd March next year follow the link to find out more http://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/events/the-scottish-colourists-weekend-art-break-1st-and-2nd-march-2013/

We had another cracking weekend with Steve Owens on our Stargazing break in November - clear skies allowed us amazing views of the night sky with Steve pointing out all the major constellations, a cup of hot chocolate and back to the hotel for more chat, talks, slide shows and general mind boggling facts about the amazing solar system. Every Star in the sky is a SUN - that means that around every star could be a solar system with planets that could also have life !!! Our next Stargazing break is booked for the 8th and 9th March and is already filling up - follow the link to find out more http://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/events/stargazing-breaks-199/

The Boss took to the airwaves in October hosting his own Heavy Metal show on Alive radio every Friday night - a surprise to a few who never knew his passion for Rock and Metal music but as he tells it " I'm as happy as a pig in skitter - playing heavy rock as loud as I want for two hours every Friday - it's a great release from the day job"

Click here to find out more about Chris's radio show http://aliveradio.net/shows/evening-shows/friday/heavier-than-metal/

Then after  steady November we started to quieten off for a  few weeks, a chance perhaps to catch our breath and then on into the Christmas Party Night season. A we had a fantastic 6 packed parties, thank you to all those who came - we've already pencilled in the dates for next year to do it all again so phone now if you want to get ahead of the game and book your place for December 2013.

Mid December though we got the great news that Head Chef Paul Somerville had won the Dumfries and Galloway Life Chef of the year award - a a wonderful reception at Easterbrook Hall Paul was awarded the Chef of the Year title jointly with Lara Smith from the Buccleuch Arms - well done to the pair of them. It was a big pat on the back for Paul who quietly gets on with the job back of house. It's a huge logistical task to provide for around 28,000 meals a year, to manage a team of 6 chefs and have a life in between it all - well done Paul - you deserve this award.

And as we enter 2013 we've got a great line up of events for your enjoyment - why not check out our What's on page http://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/events/dates-for-your-diary-2013/

We've got a Gourmet Night, a four decades of Music night, a wonderful night of Cheese and Wine with real life Cheese connoisseur John Natlacen, a Sunday lunch and dinner with Magician Professor Murray, Valentine's Dinner and The Annual Brain Game -so much on you'd be mad to miss out

PLUS - Our 2 course Lunch for £10 is back from the 7th January and for those thinking of coming to stay..... well 3 nights for £99 !!! Bargain.

Until next time - take care all, keep well and God bless   x

Another great summer despite the weather

Well it won't go down as the greatest summer on record as far as the weather goes, in fact probably the complete opposite. Yet Kirkcudbright managed to put on a tremendous show again from Spring Fling to the annual Jazz Festival, the Arts and Crafts trail to "The Gifted" art exhibition to the amazing Tattoo and Scottish nights. Behind the scenes we've continued to develop the business introducing a new menu and refreshing the web site, we've continued to invest in our Wi Fi and now have 100% coverage throughout the hotel... and it's free. This Autumn we move upstairs and refurbish room 20 along with plans for a major restaurant refurbishment after the new year.

Also.....

We've seen Douglas be the first on Laggan Outdoors new Zip wire - all 880m of it - yes... the longest zip wired in the UK

We've seen Chris take charge of the Bars at this years Wickerman Festival, an amazing 2 day music festival which featured Texas and the Scissor sisters as top of the bill acts.

And we've seen Exec Chef Paul Somerville launch his most exciting and well reviewed menu yet. ( Salmon en croute is my personal favourite !! )

Our September late deals are tempting folk to visit this wonderful corner of Scotland at £99 each for 2 nights Bb and our November and December deals on 3 nights for £99 are already selling - to take advantage of these great deals visit our new look website at www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk

And finally our Christmas Party night dates are out along with menus, booking forms and our festive fayre menus. They can all be found at the above website in the dining and menus section.

New Menu on the way

We have been busy testing and trialing some of our new dishes and our summer menu is just about ready to be launched. We'll have some new dishes and a new look. We are working on freshening our logo and overall web and marketing look - there's a sneak preview below - but in this update I wanted to show you some of our latest food pics. Dishes include freshly dressed Crab, Salmon en croute with asparagus and hollandaise, Fillet of Hake on Mediterranean ratatouille with olive crust, succulent Galloway Beef steaks and Kirkcudbright King Scallops.

 Can't wait to get your feedback from the new menu - we had tremendous success with our text local taster session - tremendous feedback and participation - thank you all that came along and told us how it is. So new menu date isn't quite finalised yet but we hope to be ready to go in the next 2 weeks.
Keep an eye on the web site where we'll post the finished menus in due course.

Spring into Summer

I love it when the trees start to green up, the bluebells are all out and the Rhododendrons and blossoms bloom. It really is Spring moving into Summer. There's plenty on here as well during May and June and with our Spring into Summer rates from as little as £46 per person per night on a bed and breakfast basis there's never been a better time to come and visit Kirkcudbright.

Discover the hidden Gems of Dumfries and Galloway this Summer

May is a must do month for the Gardens of Galloway, the Rhododendrons are stunning.

Explore Dumfries & Galloway’s glorious gardens and find pristine plant displays, exotic varieties, historic horticulture and some Champion Scottish trees.

http://www.visitdumfriesandgalloway.co.uk/see-do/gardens/

Spring Fling is back where local artists throw open their homes and studio doors and let you wander right in to chat, look and maybe buy - it's an amazing weekend

http://spring-fling.co.uk/

Kirkcudbright's amazing calendar of events - something for everyone

http://www.kirkcudbright.co.uk/whatson.asp

What about the Glenkiln sculptures.There are 6 sculptures by Henry Moore, Sir Jacob Epstein and Auguste Rodin imaginatively sited in this beautiful glen.

http://www.visitsouthwestscotland.com/attractioninfo.asp?attractID=78

The Red Kite trail - seeing is truly believeing. The Galloway Red Kite Trail, an exciting birdwatching opportunity to view spectacular red kites in lovely scenery is now attracting the attention of walkers, cyclists, wildlife lovers and birdwatchers in Dumfries and Galloway and from much further afield.

http://www.gallowaykitetrail.com/

What's on at the hotel this month

Talk on "THE FIVE RED HERRINGS"

Come and join local historian Dr David Steel at an informal lecture with cheese, wine and nibbles on Dorothy L Sayers famous crime novel The Five Red Herrings written and based in and around Kirkcudbright and Gatehouse of Fleet.

Sunday 20th May 6.30pm for 7pm – Tickets £5pp please book in advance at reception

http://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/news/five-red-herrings-talk/

Dust of those golf clubs - FORE great deals

2 nights and 2 rounds of Golf from £99pp

http://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/golf-holiday-packages-2001/

Watch our golfing video

Untitled from CHRIS WALKER on Vimeo.

AND...........

Keep your eye on our Facebook page - join us and keep up to date with all the latest deals and offers

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Selkirk-Arms-Hotel-Kirkcudbright/163242433701304

New Year, New Rooms.... New me !!

Happy New year and apologies for the delay in posting for sometime but I have been away in Bristol having an Aneurysm that was discovered on my brain coiled and a Carotid artery bypass.
The good news is - it was a great success and a huge thank you to all the team at Bristol Frenchay hospital and all the team in Edinburgh Western General Neurology departments.
A huge thank you to all the team at the hotel and to my business partner Douglas for holding the fort so well in my absence. What a team.

So we've just finished refurbishing two more rooms from top to bottom, new bathrooms, carpets, furniture etc. There are a few photos inserted to let you see how they are looking.

I can't believe that we're heading rapidly towards Spring, we'll soon be serving lunch out in the garden !!!

There are a couple of offers and promotions that we are running at the minute

3 NIGHTS £99pp Bed and Breakfast
Quick - late deal on any 3 nights between 9th and 12th March
Bag a bargain break and phone today 01557 330402

Plus

Make Mothers Day Special
Sunday 18th March
3 course traditional Sunday lunch with coffee and chocolates for Mum £24
Show Mum how special she really is with a wonderful family lunch in
Artistas restaurant.

Looking further ahead I've attached a link to the main hotel web site which gives you a full update of our year of Art and Literature with some of the talks and exhibitions we will be putting on. http://www.selkirkarmshotel.co.uk/news/2012-year-of-art-and-literature-for-the-selkirk/

We've had some wonderful comments too - both on Tripadvisor, on Booking.com and directly from you on our customer satisfaction cards - here are just a few

“Staff were very friendly and helpful. The food in the lounge bar was very good and it was well situated within the town with good car parking facilities.”

After booking on line the real thing was not a dissapointmentand after a long journey in freezing road conditions we had a warm welcome and special requests had been taken care of, with a spacious, groudfloor room .The public areas were comfortable and just what you would have hoped for from a cosy Scottish hotel. The food was excellent and beautifully presented. Staff couldn't have been friendlier or more helpful and what was really a business trip turned out to be a very pleasant break - would certaily like to return.

Very friendly staff, Food was excellent, would like to stay in summer when more places are open, mid november is probably not the best time for the solway coast, although scenery was beautiful.

To see all the review on booking.com follow the link

To go to our Tripadvisor page for the Hotel follow the link

To go to reviews about the Restaurant and Bistro follow the link

CHRISTMAS PARTIES, HOGMANAY AND A NEW YEAR AHEAD

It's been a wee while since I updated the blog but with a few photos from our Christmas Party nights I thought it was an ideal time to update you on our Christmas Party dates for next year and let you know what we are up to in the new year.

We have had just under 600 guests join us at our Party Nights - and what a blast we have had. With just two more to go the feedback we have had has been super and a big thank you to all our guests for choosing to come to us.

We've updated our facebook page and if you haven't had chance to give us the thumbs up we'd appreciate your support and continued feedback at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Selkirk-Arms-Hotel-Kirkcudbright/163242433701304

Hogmanay is just about upon us and time to reflect on a hectic year. 2011 wasn't the greatest start with my health suffering and forcing us to pull out of taking over the Barons Craig Hotel in Rockcliffe. My Wife's brother lost his year battle with Leukemia at the age of just 54 and we are fundraising during our party nights for Leukemia and Lymphona. Sue infact has got a place in the ballot for the London Marathon next year and will be looking for sponsorship in the early part of next year.

The economy was showing all the signs of slipping into a double dip recession and every time we turned the news on it was doom and gloom. But there's nothing like a Royal Wedding to lift the nation and we had a great Easter and the season was off to a flying start.

It's not been easy, it's probably been one of the hardest years to drive business through the doors but we have continued to work on our web site and internet presence and have been happy with the results this year.

Kirkcudbright continues to amaze us at the active, thriving volunteers that put so much time into creating a wonderful calendar of events throughout the year, from Jazz Festivals to Spring Fling, Scottish nights to Maggies tours, From the Sculpture symposium to The Arts and Crafts fair.

So for next year we have a fairly packed program to start the year off.

Gourmet Dinner with wines - Friday 20^th January 2012

Kevin Smith from Alliance wines presents simply the most stunning wines from the Alliance collection to complement a gourmet menu produced by our Executive Chef Paul Somerville. Kevin will present each wine and chat about the grape, the region and the vineyard as we work our way through this 5 course Gourmet feast. Dinner and all wines included at £50pp

Stay over for just £30 each Bed and Breakfast

Burns Week – Monday 23^rd January to Sunday 29^th January 2012

A Burns menu running daily in the bistro and restaurant peppered with a daily dose of Burns recitals, music, craic and banter.

Monday 23^rd January – 7pm Bistro Acoustic Celtic folk duo Gaelic mist

Tuesday 24th January – 8.30pm Burns Room – Wylie McCulloch presents Tales, banter and craic with Burns

Wednesday 25^th January – 7pm Bistro Acoustic Celtic Folk duo Gaelic mist

Thursday 26^th January – 8.30pm Burns Room – Burns recital – Mark Williams

Further acts to be confirmed.

Friday 3^rd February – 4 decades of music party night.

If you have been to one of our christmas parties or have experienced Chris’s party nights of old you will know this is one not to miss. Dinner, Quiz and Music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s – Four decades of music is sure to get you on your feet to dance the night away. Special price of £20pp including 3 course dinner and coffee – arrival 7pm for 7.30 sit down

Stay over for just £30pp Bed and Breakfast

Valentine Week – Thursday 9th to Thursday 16th February

Valentine’s Weekend break – 2 nights £170pp Dinner, Bed and Breakfast with a third night Free on a bed and breakfast basis

Choose to come any two nights from Thursday 9^th February to Thursday 16^th February at our Dinner, Bed and Breakfast rate of £85pp per night and then take a third night Free ( on a bed and breakfast basis )

Tuesday 14^th February – Valentine’s Dinner £29pp – a romantic 4 course dinner with chocolates for the lady or wine, dine and recline for £85pp including a bottle of bubbly in the room on arrival.

The Brain Game 2012

Friday 2^nd March – The Annual Brain Game – £19pp includes a 2 course supper and coffee.

Can you beat last year’s winning team? Enjoy canapés on arrival, a 2 course supper with coffee and 8 rounds of question including history, sport, in the news, the year that was, TV and music. Maximum team size 8. Booking now.

Mothering Sunday

Sunday 18^th March 2012 – Mothering Sunday £24pp for a 3 course traditional Sunday lunch including chocolates for Mum. Children under 12 ½ price and under 3 free.

All that remains for me to say is thank you all for all your support. Have a very merry Christmas and happy new year.