The Milton Marquee

We've reached the end of another busy wedding season. Time to mothball the marquee for the winter, although we ahve an almost fully booked Hogmanay dinner dance planned with Peter Ferguson in the marquee, there is something magical about the marquee all lit up on a winters night - see our website for some new photos!

The marquee is an amazing space, I think its the transformation that is the most exciting aspect. What to some people must look like a vast draughty "tint" with tables and chairs piled up, is transformed virtually overnight in to a winter wedding wonderland, a silver draped ice themed company dance, or the very successful Young Farmers show and dance we hosted in June. I have to say that despite some trepidation having never hosted one of these events before, the young people (and the older ones!) caused absoutely no bother at all, in fact it was amazing to see all the skills they were displaying during the day, crafts and sports kept alive by the committee and their parents - it was a very worthwhile day!

I think one of the most rewarding aspects of organising events in the marquee is the huge amount of positive feedback that I get from the organisers after the events, so many people write to thank us personally and let us know that we made their day special.

Jan Leatham
Events Organisers

H.I.T. Dinner

The owner Mr Neil Rae and staff at the Milton were delighted to be invited to attend this years Hospitality Industry Trust Dinner held at the Marcliffe at Pitfodels on 7th October.

The charity raises funds to help support and encourage young people in to the hospitality trade. The Front of House girls all got the chance to get dolled up and treat themselves to a new frock; instead of the usual black uniform, they wore posh black frocks instead.

Over 300 guests attended the event and everyone enjoyed the dinner of locally sourced and produced food. Wine was served during the meal and it appeared that that was enjoyed as well!

We noticed that Mr Rae likes to take part in auctions and he managed to buy a gym membership to get the staff in to shape and body beautiful!

The guest speaker was Willie Allan who had a good sense of humour and helped boost the auction funds with his banter. The total raised was over £24,000.

Some of us went home at the end of dinner and for others the night went on.... and on... and on.... It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

From The Front of House Girls

Porridge!

Saturday 11th October was the World Championship Porridge Making Day in which our Chef Barry had the pleasure in competing in. Here's how it went....

It was an early start in order to get to Carrbridge in time for the pipe band lead procession which was through the main street in front of all the locals, tourists and other competitors from the previous different competitions that occurred earlier in the day. I was quite amazed at the volume of spectators that had descended in to the village hall to see a couple of Chefs and amateur cooks make a bowl of porridge.

We had thirty minutes to make a traditional recipe and a speciality recipe. I completed both in about fifteen minutes so perhaps I should have won an award for being the quickest to make porridge! All the other competitors used their full thirty minute time limit and this is when I perhaps realised how seriously the seasoned competitors took it.

I unfortunately didn't come away with any prizes however I had a good laugh and a fun day, although tiring! Maybe next year?!

Hello from the Events Assistant

Hi

My name is Nikki and I am a student at Paisley University. I am studying Events Management and am currently on a one year sandwich placement here at the Milton as an Events Assistant. I have been here now for four months and what an amazing four months it has been! I started when the wedding and events season was in full swing and things are only just calming down now. Already I have learnt so much in so little time. My days have been extremely varied and I have had the opportunity to work at events in our conservatory, restaurant and marquee. I have even managed a couple of small weddings by myself, which has been very nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time! During the weekdays, I have been learning the admin side of event management; finding that there are so many different aspects to it. Now the wedding season has quietened and I will be focusing my attention on the marketing side of events; I am due to go on a Marketing course this month which I am really looking forward to. So far my experience at the Milton has been great; all the staff here at the Milton are lovely and the work has so far been very challenging and enjoyable. I am looking forward to seeing what the next eight months will bring and after the year is over, I’m sure I will have extensive knowledge of managing events!

Bye for now
Nikki