Following on from my entry earlier this week,  I covered the invitation evening on Thursday.

Pianist, lighting and smoke effects at the Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow

Still very much a building site with all the trades  at work, hospitality ‘buyers’ were given exclusive access to this ‘old lady’ some 7 months before it is due to open. Welcomed by ‘decrepit’ waiters and a doorman, a grey haired trio and plenty of ancient cobwebs,  guests enjoyed, umm, sherry in the foyer. Then, the 100 guests were accompanied by staff from the company’s Edinburgh hotel, The George, up along long corridors past actor ‘painters’ and on to the grand old ballroom.

Within seconds of arriving a spectacular light show started and then a pianist in the centre of the floor continued the theme. Guests enjoyed champagne and canapes – all brought in specially as the hotel kitchens were unusable.

Great lighting for atmospheric images

I have a connection with this old hotel. My father Eddie Williams was the General Manager for 10 years in its heyday in the 1970′s – the days of the Malmaison and La Fourchette restaurants. So it is with some interest that after the demise of British Transport Hotels (BTH) at the end of the 80′s, and it has to be said a lack of development funding, the Central is going to be restored to most of its former glory. I too worked in the company all over the UK for 10 years.

Edinburgh Ambassadors at Sheraton Hotel Edinburgh

Thurs 19 Nov 2009 – Two lucky winners with dinner for two each at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa for their desserts on. Under the watchful eye of the hotel’s Head Chef, Malcolm Webster, they took part in a competition to design a dessert.

This is the third Edinburgh Ambassadors event I have covered for the Edinburgh Convention Bureau. This is a programme run by the Bureau that encourages those in influential positions within their organisations to persuade their conference organisers to choose Edinburgh for their event.

I received an enquiry from a pr and marketing agent in Ballachulish a few months ago to quote for food and hotel photography for two hotels on the Isle of Skye.

Duisdale Hotel, Isle of Skye

Toravaig Hotel Isle of Skye

Despite the distance I was delighted to get the commission at the end of August. A Sunday evening – well until 1 am – and a full day and then back to Edinburgh by midnight the next day with 5 mins for lunch it was ‘harem scarem’ to get all the photos done in that time. These blasted low energy lamps, as photographers know give off green light, and I prefer the warm welcoming colours of traditional bulbs. So a few burnt fingers (and bust bulbs) changing them all the time as I went from room to room.

Amyway a good shoot and two fabulous privately owned hotels.

More photos of the hotels and food photography….

The two Premier Inn hotels in Edinburgh have raised £2,000 over the weekend of the Edinnburgh Highland Games on 25 and 26 July by running the Tug o’ War in the main arena. Joining them was Clanedonia, a riot of rythm and beat who can normaly be seen – err heard – in the popular tourist spots entertaining the city’s visitors but on this occasion gave their time free by playing for donations.

Clanedonia play for donations to Anthony Nolan Trust at Edinburgh Highland Games

Premier Inn and Clanedonia celebrate a successful weekend