Well here we are again zinging into Spring and with it some welcome sunshine and record temperatures for February, incredible given last year we were buried under snow with the Beast from the East! We have had busy winter months trying to keep healthy and enjoying some down time with the boys and our families too. There has been plenty of rugby goings on, watching the boys, rugby tours, trips to Murrayfield, development squad trips and as sponsors of Duns RFC attending sponsors lunch. The big derby is coming with Duns playing Berwick this weekend. But don’t worry I manage plenty girl time too with the odd spa day with my sisters (can highly recommend Stobo Castle) and a few long Ladies Lunches!
The Team
We have had no new additions to our hard-working team over the winter (we have lost Hannah and Shannon) although we are looking to take on more hands to help in coming weeks as business increases. Fiona is expecting baby number two in July so we will lose her again for a while and some new faces will appear over the summer to replace our students as they move on. Our annual staff outing was back to Edinburgh where we as two teams we competed against each other in Escape rooms. With dinner & drinks afterwards, the night was finished with dancing for some and the casino for others!
What’s been happening?
Our Burns Supper in January took place to a full restaurant and was well received. The recital of ‘The Haggis of Private Mcphie’ was particularly entertaining! I have been working more on our local history and produced a detailed booklet for our rooms. Being so passionate and proud of our heritage here at The Allanton Inn we have chosen to update our logo, using the Blackadder coat of arms as a starting point (the clan for which this was the estate village for). We have also been revamping our website with the new branding. Usual winter renovations have taken place with painting work, electrical improvements and some new soft furnishings. We had a great night out in Edinburgh in November at The Scottish Thistle Awards where we were shortlisted for Best Informal Eating Experience (Lothian & Borders). We lost out to an outstanding Edinburgh restaurant but were delighted to make the shortlist.
What’s next…
We are looking forward to Mother’s Day and Easter in next few weeks as they are usually our busiest days of the year for diners. We will be hosting our 5th Garden Party & Beer Festival on 14th , 15th & 16th June. Live music on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon with our usual Hog Roast, Ice Creams & BBQing, fingers crossed for plenty sunshine too. As the tourist attractions re-open and the better weather appears, we are looking forward to welcoming tourists back to Berwickshire. We are very excited about the summer re-opening of the new Jim Clark Museum in Duns and we are attending the launch of Berwickshire Coast this week and hope more walkers will be attracted to this and our stunning region. We are certainly seeing more cyclists then ever before, but sadly less fishermen.
What’s on the menu?
With this lovely weather we are looking forward to serving plenty fish and seafood again. Our lunch menu will be offering more salads and sharing dishes. Already we have had guests in the beer garden. On our breakfast table will continue to offer plenty of choice in fruits and we have just stocked up again on delicious Chainbridge Honey, the honeycomb smells divine. We will soon be receiving Standhill Tomatoes again and we have been trying new cheeses for our Cheese Board choice. Venison & Pheasant Salami are fresh from the smokehouse and on our current menu. William has been working hard researching new wines for our wine list and a new cocktail list.
Keep in touch
We are posting regularly on Facebook and you can follow us on Twitter. We also have great reviews on TripAdvisor too so have a look sometime or even add to them!
