Ness Factor hits the high note at Drumossie, Inverness
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Nestled at the top of Inverness, set in nine acres of woodland overlooking the Moray Firth, is the Macdonald Drumossie Hotel. Most Invernessians will have been treated to the Drumossie experience; as a wedding guest, attending a banqueting event, or maybe enjoying a luxury afternoon tea in the lounge.
That’s why the team at the Drumossie puts so much focus on delivering a high-quality experience. Their measure of success is that when guests leave the hotel, are they sharing the story of their Drumossie experience positively with their friends and family?
There’s real evidence they are achieving that. Since emerging from Covid, the Drumossie team has witnessed guests return and keep coming back: guests at weddings who enjoyed the dining experience so much they’ve gone on to book a private dining experience; friends returning regularly to enjoy luxury afternoon tea; conference attendees being so impressed they bring their family back to dine in the restaurant. That’s what the Drumossie is all about – delivering a high- quality experience that makes guests want to enjoy it time and time again.
A great example of a long-term returning client is one of Inverness’ best- known fundraising events: Ness Factor.
Conceived by the inspirational Lornagh Siegel to raise much-needed funds for the Highland Hospice, Ness Factor has just been held for the fifth time – all of them at the Drumossie Hotel. Over those five events Ness Factor has raised more than £700,000 for the Highland Hospice. That’s something the team at the Drumossie are proud and delighted to have played a part in.
For event organiser Lornagh, partnering with the team at Drumossie was the obvious choice.
She said: “I have always loved the Drumossie, and I knew that they had the team to pull off the event I wanted.
“The team are very talented at what they do, and over the last few years they have made the whole process seamless.
“From the day we put a date in the diary for the event, until the day itself they are with me every step of the way.”
Drumossie’s general manager Kenny McMillan worked closely with Lornagh to deliver the Ness Factor in 2022. Collaboration is a key part of the strategy for the team at Drumossie, which feeds into creating a brilliant event.
He said: “We make sure to collaborate with the organisers of all the events held at the Drumossie”
“Our team creates bespoke menus for each event, and we meet regularly throughout the year to make sure we capture the event organiser’s vision correctly.
“At the most recent Ness Factor we had an 80s theme, and we even made sure that our desserts were retro.
“We work really closely together to perfect every detail.”
Lornagh added: “I am a worrier, but the Drumossie team are just able to execute my vision perfectly.
“When I came to see the event set up for Ness Factor 2022, I was just amazed how they had turned my dream into a reality.
“They take care of everything, and look after our contestants, crew and guests with such a passion.”
Every event held at the Drumossie gets the same attention to detail and high level of collaboration. They make sure guests receive the best of food experiences, and simultaneously manage to create the right atmosphere to deliver the event’s goals.
Kenny said: “At Ness Factor we had 360 people in attendance. It was one of the biggest nights of the year for us – and everything was delivered perfectly.”
Lornagh added: “The team are able to create a quality event that provides both an entertaining experience and manages to capture the sensitivity around the cause of the night.
“They are also able to capture the balance between a corporate event and a fun night for friends and family of contestants. It’s a fine balance but the Drumossie team gets it right each time.”
What is striking about the partnership between Lornagh and the Drumossie is its continuity. Ness Factor has run for several years, and it gets better and better each time. The Drumossie work with Lornagh to try out new things each year and the event is constantly evolving.
“We have done different things over the years to see how it works”, said Lornagh.
“The team is so flexible with letting me try new ideas, and help me to perfect it each year.”
The entire Drumossie team gets involved and they love doing so.
“The amount raised at Ness Factor 2022 was the highest amount raised at the Drumossie that year”, said Kenny.
“The work that Highland Hospice does is incredible. The facilities they provide are truly breathtaking, and we are proud to be able to be part of the fundraising efforts for it.
“Our doorman Charlie received end-of-life care there, so this event is extremely important to us.
“Witnessing and experiencing the work they do first-hand, was very eye-opening.”
The Drumossie calendar for 2023 and beyond is already filling up with event bookings – many of them for charity event bookings, including the returning Ness Factor. And many of those events are from new clients as word of the Drumossie experience spreads.
The Drumossie team are already making plans to make all these events better than ever: menus are being developed, service strategies planned, and the team are constantly working on their skills.
2023 is shaping up to be a busy and successful year for events at the Drumossie – something all the team are proud of.
W: www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/drumossie
Old Perth Road, Inverness IV2 5BE
T: 01463 236451
