MACDONALD HOTELS & RESORTS TO SUPPORT SCOTTISH FARMERS

AA Hotel Group of the Year Scotland shows its ethical credentials

On the day that it is unveiled as the AA Hotel Group of the Year for Scotland (01/10), Macdonald Hotels & Resorts is set to embark on a drive to support the beleaguered Scottish sheep farmers in the wake of the livestock crisis facing Britain.

Due to the current livestock movement and export restrictions, as a result of recent the foot and mouth outbreaks, as many as one million lambs may be disposed of due to excessive stock levels.

The hotel group has decided to lend farmers their support by creating special menus, offering reductions of up to 15%, throughout October and November in all of its UK hotels and resorts. Guests will be encouraged to sample different cuts of lamb, including lamb shanks, loins, shoulder and racks of lamb.

The Group hopes that other retailers and businesses within the hospitality sector will also follow suit, as Donald Macdonald, Executive Chairman at Macdonald Hotels explained. “We believe we have been recognised by the AA for such a prestigious award because of our commitment to quality; not only in the high levels of customer service but in the products and facilities we provide.

Our business is built on strong relationships, not just with our customers, but with our suppliers which is why we have taken the decision to lend our support to Scotbeef and those farmers impacted by the export ban. We hope that other organisations reflect on their reliance on these farmers throughout the year, and follow our lead.

This is not the first time the hotel group has supported farmers in times of crisis. In the wake of the BSE outbreak in the mid 1990’s, the group implemented a similar promotional strategy to encourage customers continue to eat meat.

Ruaridh Macdonald, Marketing Director at Macdonald Hotels & Resorts continued: “We hope this promotion will help restore public confidence in Scottish lamb and assist farmers as they struggle with surplus stocks. We place a great deal of emphasis on the provenance and quality our produce served and we believe it is important to support our suppliers as much as possible. If we can help a little with this issue then it’s all worthwhile.

Following a recent major supplier review, Macdonald Hotels has overhauled its food sourcing and purchasing policy to enhance quality standards and provide increased traceability. The group has significantly streamlined its supplier roster and now deals directly with all suppliers, providing greater control and traceability at all times.

All lamb purchased by Macdonald Hotels is sourced by Scotbeef from traditional Scottish farms and hill farms. The Scotch Lamb supplied is full of flavour due to the lambs being fed a grass and cereal based diet on our selected farms. The lamb is matured to enhance flavour and tenderness so Macdonald Hotels & Resorts are able to provide guests with highest quality lamb.

Commenting on the initiative, Ian Galloway, Chairman of Scotbeef said: “It is great that such a well-known company as Macdonald Hotels has taken it upon themselves to do what they can to support the lamb industry, and crucially the farmers.

Chairman of red-meat promotion body, Quality Meat Scotland, Donald Biggar, said: “We welcome moves to support Scottish farmers at this difficult time, and commend Macdonald Hotels for taking an interest in their suppliers and putting an emphasis on quality of supply and traceability in all their red meat.

These special menus support our aim to enable more people to rediscover the taste of Scotch Lamb. I hope other companies follow the example set by Macdonald Hotels and undertake similar activities to back Scottish red meat businesses.