Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Everyone loves a nice seasonal sprinkling of the stuff, but it’s easy to forget that some of our local economies actually hinge on it.
While snow and freezing temperatures are currently being encountered in areas including the Cairngorms and Torridon, the conditions required for winter sports are not always guaranteed in our unpredictable climate.
Even when snow does fall in significant amounts, sometimes it’s not of the required quality or a subsequent change in conditions quickly makes it unusable.
Indeed, overall it’s been a tough winter season so far for Scotland’s ski resorts. A lack of snow generally has meant limited opening of the slopes for skiing and snowboarding and fluctuating temperatures have meant that it’s been a bit stop-start – a completely different story to 2016, when Scotland boasted some of the best late-season conditions in Europe.
That’s why I was thrilled to hear that three of Scotland’s five mountain snowsports centres have been thinking outside of the slopes and are set to take matters into their own hands by manufacturing their own snow this winter and spring.
Scottish snowsports body Ski-Scotland announced that CairnGorm Mountain and Glencoe Mountain in the Highlands plan to begin using snow “factories” early next month, whilst the Lecht in Aberdeenshire is to trial the use of a large-scale snow-making unit powered by a wind turbine in February and March, which makes huge sustainable sense, both environmentally and economically.
All three centres will use the manufactured snow to cover some of their slopes to allow them to guarantee snowsports. If the trial is successful, they will consider introducing the technology on a permanent basis.
While snow cannons have been used in the past to top up the slopes with artificially-made snow, this is the first time the TechnoAlpin Snowfactories will be used in the UK.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise has provided funding to The Lecht Ski Company for the trial as it guarantees snow on the nursery and Osprey slopes during the school mid-term holiday and in the run-up to Easter.
The news comes off the back of cancelled dry slope plans from Cairngorms Mountain, who initially said they wanted to add a dry slope to their offering back in March after one of the worst ski seasons on record. They’ve now leased a Snowfactory unit instead.
The snowsports sector is very important for Scotland’s economy. Its impact is felt far beyond the snow-covered hilltops, as visitors who come for the snow also stay for the restaurants and accommodation, which all provide a boost to Scotland’s visitor economy.
It’s big business. Figures compiled by VisitScotland in recent years showed that winter sports enthusiasts contribute some £30 million to the Scottish economy and resorts are hoping that figure will rise year on year.
In order to enhance the experience for their customers, all five mountain snowsports centres are investing this season to make changes and improvements to their venues, in turn demonstrating their commitment to delivering a first class experience for visitors.
At Nevis Range, a new type of fencing which has the potential to catch 50 per cent more snow has been installed on most of the lower mountain.
Glenshee has meanwhile been given planning permission for a four-person chairlift to replace the elderly Cairnwell T-bar tow. The new chair will transport three times as many skiers as the surface tow and will be much more user-friendly for snowboarders. Work is expected to start as soon as funds are in place, most likely during spring 2018.
In Aberdeenshire, The Lecht has now completed its lift upgrade project, which includes the Snowy Owl Chair, Eagle, Osprey and Wren tows and the new Robin Sunkid tow.
So, does this mean we can now all enjoy some skiing fun in the summer sunshine? Many will be delighted by the prospect.
Personally, I’d much prefer to relax in the sunshine and save the snowsports for the winter.
Christmas has most definitely arrived in Scotland and tills are increasingly ringing up and down the land thanks to an array of brilliant festive attractions.
Hot on the heels of the unveiling of this year’s big TV advertising campaigns from the like of John Lewis, M&S, Aldi and Argos, Glasgow Loves Christmas launched its Christmas market at St Enoch’s.
This will be followed by the Christmas lights switch-on in George Square on 19 November before the second of Glasgow’s markets opens.
Not to be outdone, on the east coast, a special ‘light night’ is also set to take place on 19 November in Edinburgh.
Festive revellers will be looking forward to sampling the delights of both cities, with both Glasgow Loves Christmas and Edinburgh’s Christmas upping the ante each year to create an unforgettable festive experience.
Edinburgh’s new additions include ‘A journey through frozen Scotland’. It will be really interesting to see how the exhibition captures Scotland’s history in ice sculptures. Popular favourites such as the Spiegeltent and Star Flyer will be back for festive revellers to enjoy.
Glasgow’s St Enoch’s market meanwhile promises to be a taste sensation with a host of mouth-watering street food options. The superb Style Mile carnival and Santa Dash are also returning this year.
In January this year there were reports that Edinburgh’s Christmas may be scaled back due to a potential cut in council funding.
I’m so pleased to see its offering for this year looks fantastic as it helps to bring a vital influx of visitors and boost to the economy.
Our world-class Christmas celebrations look set to be phenomenal once again.
It Made Me Laugh
A local butcher in Dunblane has marked the arrival of tennis star Andy Murray’s second child in a very unique way – by creating a version of the baby made from sausage.
John Hill made the display using lorne and links sausage with pieces of liver for eyes.
The stunt follows another Dunblane butcher, David Bennett & Son, which whipped up ‘Miss Murray’ sausages to celebrate the birth of Andy’s first daughter.
The sausages contained strawberries and chillies – a speciality which is sold by the butchers when Murray is playing a match – with a touch of pink food colouring.
I don’t think John will be commissioned to create any sausage sculptures, judging by his simplistic take on the tot, but it certainly generated lots of column inches for his business!
It Made Me Weep
For anyone dreaming of an early retirement, there was some bad news this week.
Financial services provider OneFamily has unveiled the results of a study that suggests the number of workers over the age of 65 is set to treble in coming years.
The research showed that retirement is becoming unaffordable with Scots predicting that they need savings of £400,000 to retire despite the average pension pot saved by workers being just £60,000.
Younger workers aged 18-34 are the least likely to save but had the highest expectations of the bank balance they’d like upon retirement.
Age Scotland has expressed support for midlife career reviews to help adjust savings plans early enough in a person’s career.
This is a great idea. I definitely think it will help workers focus on a retirement goal and start topping up those pensions.
