PRESS REVIEWS
Off-beat ball for hotel opening
Ice-cream van delivers dessert
THE sounds of a string quartet, a swing band and, strangely, the chimes of an ice-cream van heralded a new lease of life for a country house hotel and restaurant on the outskirts of Inverness.
A midsummer ball was held at the Dunain Park Hotel at the weekend to celebrate a major makeover for the premises, carried out by Inverness design consultants Susan and Adrian Pieracini, formerly of the city's Rocpool Reserve, in Culduthel Road.
And, during the feasting and fun, the Dunain Park's new owner, David Sutherland, of Tulloch Homes, served up a surprise.
Master of ceremonies Drumnadrochit businessman Willie Cameron announced from the stage: "Ladies and gentlemen, dessert is now served" - and up drove an ice-cream van.
Views
Diners then queued for their cones, sliders and other ice-cream van treats.
Earlier in the Rat Pack-themed evening, the Elgin String Quartet played on the terrace, while cocktails were served on the new decking that gives amazing views out of the lawns and fields towards the River Ness and Caledonian Canal.
Craig McMurdo and that Swing Thang provided the music for dancing into the night.
The 11-bedroom hotel, which includes two honeymoon suites, is just outside Inverness and set in six acres of secluded gardens.
The house was originally built as a shooting lodge for the Duke of Gordon, then extended in Victorian times.
Mr Sutherland described Dunain Park as a "sleeping giant" that had been wakened and transformed by the Pieracinis.
Courtesy of The Press and Journal
THE chairman of Tulloch Homes Group, David Sutherland, hosted a black-tie moonlight serenade ball at the firm's newly-refurbished Dunain Park Hotel and restaurant near Inverness.
He looked every inch the tycoon in his black shirt and soon-discarded black-and-white bow tie.
One reveller enjoyed the night so much she set off by foot to return to the Highland capital before being spotted by a knight of the road who gave her a lift home.
A silent auction raised £28,000 for the Highland Hospice
Photographs: EWEN WEATHERSPOON Martin Marello, Claire Lestoquoit, Hilary Brown and Barry LarsonFormer model Sonia Paterson, Carol MacRae, ball MC Willie Cameron and Laura Mackintosh, PA to David Sutherland Corinne Davidson, Lorraine MacNiven, Malina MacDonald, Bob and Donna MacLeod and Lynne Cordiner Enjoying a cone from Capaldi's van which had come all the way from Brora are David Sutherland with Susan and Adrian Pieraccini. The couple were responsible for the refurbishment Kathleen Hardie and Richard Constanduros Danny and Lesley Gallagher with Colin and Nicky MarrMoray Macdonald and Natalie Buxton Marjory Muir with Sutherland couple Kenny and Joan Duncan. Joan is general manager of Dunain Park's sister hotel, the Royal Marine in BroraDonald and Christine MacDonald with Donald Mackenzie and Fran McQuadeAlastair Mackenzie and Fruma Browne
Courtesy of The Press and Journal
