Octoberfest 2018

Well better late than never. Octoberfest 2018 was another success, with our highest ever turn out for our Gin tasting. We just managed to squeeze in the 36 people who attended. This year we had Zak from Strathearn Distillery come along to showcase their gins and also some of the gins they make for other companies.

We also had a great turn out at our whisky tasting with 28 attending. Gordon and MacPhail were back again but this time we had our new rep Jim Irvine hosting the evening where he showcased some of Benromach's range of whiskies. The distillery is owned by Gordon and MacPhail.

And of course we had some great bands playing. Calum MacPhail and Sean Cousins from Hò-rò opened on Friday 12th. We had regulars White Rose and Mak-A-Din playing also, but we also welcomed a new band in Emma and the Ragmen who usually only play festivals these days but wanted to come and play at the Clachaig, they will be back again next year in April.

Calum and Sean

Emma and the Ragmen

Winter fundraising

Today we handed over the money raised over FebFest and our Brewers night to the 

Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team.

Linda from the GMRT

Over the last 5 weeks we raised a total of £2627.62 which the rescue team are using to buy a True CPR Training Device and two Vacuum Mattresses. Vital parts of equipment which will help save peoples lives. So once again a big thank you to everyone that donated prizes and to everyone who bought raffle tickets.

Ian from the GMRT

We would like to thank Rab, Nevisport, Cairngorm Brewery, Lerwick Brewery, Loch Lomond Brewery, Orkney Brewery, River Leven Ales, Strathaven Ales, Windswept Brewing, WooHa Brewing, Williams Brothers Brewing, Oban Distillery, Thistly Cross, Cairn O' Mohr, Letterfinlay Fine Foods, Bidfood, Highland Fling Bungee & Nevis Cycles for all donating prizes.

Brewers Night 2018

Last night we hosted our 3^rd annual Brewers Night Where we invited Cairngorm, Glen Spean, Lerwick, Loch Lomond, Orkney, River Leven, Strathaven, Williams, Windswept & WooHa along with some of our other suppliers including; Cairn O’ Mohr, Gordon & MacPhail, Letterfinlay  & Thistly Cross. Our Brewers night is aimed at giving everyone the night off where they can relax, have a bit of fun and actually get to have a chat with each other in a social environment.

Once again our Chef’s surpassed themselves putting on a fantastic feast for everyone. Once everyone had their fill the music started up courtesy of some fantastic local musicians having a wee session, and the beer tasting began. 

It was third time lucky for Fiona & Euan from Loch Lomond who have one just about every award you can think of, when they finally won probably the most important award of them all winning the coveted best beer award at the Clachaig Beer Tasting with their Lost in Mosaic IPA. Picking up a couple of Clachaig Beer Glasses as their prize. After all you need some proper glasses to drink your award winning beer from.

At the end of the night we raffled off a whole load of generously donated prizes from the Brewers and we were able to raise a further £268.00 to add to the £2359.62 we raised over Febfest bringing the total raised for the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team to £2627.62 over the last 5 weeks.

Thank you to everyone that attended and those who bought raffle tickets for this great cause. Hopefully we will see you all again soon.

FebruaryFest 2018

Well FebruaryFest is over for another year. We had a great time. We had lots of live traditional music, raffles, winter safety lectures and of course the Whisky and Gin tastings are always a treat.

Every year over FebFest we raise money for mountain safety. This year we were raising money for the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team so they could buy some new equipment. More information can be found on our website. 

Our target this year was £2340 which would allow the rescue team to buy a True CPR training device and 2 VacMats. We are happy to say we managed to surpass that target. The final total raised was £2359.62

We can only do this with the generousity of our suppliers donate amazing prizes and of course all our fantastic customers who dug so deep to contribute to such a great cause.

We would like to thank Rab who sponsored our winter lecture series, Nevisport who supported all our lectures, Cairngorm Brewery, Loch Lomond Brewery, Orkney Brewery, River Leven Ales, Strathaven Ales, Windswept Brewing, WooHa Brewing, Williams Brothers Brewing, Oban Distillery, Thistly Cross, Letterfinlay Fine Foods, Bidfood, Highland Fling Bungee & Nevis Cycles for all donating prizes.

Here is some of what happened over FebFest.

Calum MacPhail & Sean Cousins opened FebruaryFest

We lured Andy back with the offer of some chilli to open our lecture series.

Just a wee bit of branding for our lecture series sponsor Rab

The Riska Ceilidh Band making their first appearance at the Clachaig

Mike Pescod was here for our second lecture

Nevisport were here for all the lectures offering their support and showing off some of Rab's latest gear.

All about the spiced Gins this February

Kevin trying to be heard after everyone was a few Gins in.

Kevin from Gordon &MacPhail handing over a bottle of Gin
(donated by River Leven Ales) to the winner of the raffle on the night.

On the Friday night Troighsgeir also made their first appearance at the Clachaig while on a mini tour

Local favourites Fras were back on the Saturday to get everyone up dancing.

Ian McConnell from the Glencoe Mountain Recue Team gave us an insight to what the team does and also brought along some equipment for people to try out after.

Linda from the GMRT getting a VacMat out

Marvin a student at the West Highland College in Fort William tried out the VacMat.

We seen if Katie could remember her First Aid training from January

For this Whisky tasting we focused on Gordon & MacPhail's Connoisseurs Choice range

Kevin was back again this time for the Whisky Tasting

Local band Tartan Paint were back in the Boots Bar

Matt Groves a lecturer at the West Highland College in Fort William rounded of a successful lecture series

Matt had prepaired a few cards for audience participation

Jamie trying to guess the average wind speed in the Cairngorms

The Sean Cousins Band closed out FebFest

And finally Karl from Glencoe Photography was on hand for our Big final raffle to take some pictures of the winners.