Why supporting local makes for a unique, authentic holiday experience
Here at Saplinbrae, we’ve been delighted to see the success of the Government backed Scotland Loves Local campaign. Long before it was launched in July last year, we already believed that partnering with local suppliers was not only a good way to support our local economy, but it also provides our guests with a unique, high-quality, authentic holiday experience and gives them a taste of the Best of Aberdeenshire.
When you go away on holiday, one of things you want to experience is things about that place which are different and unique to that place. Imagine how boring it would be if everything was the same as where you live? – it just wouldn’t feel like you’d actually got away!
By contrast, staying somewhere which sources its supplies locally provides you with a cornucopia of new experiences for your senses – from new smells and tastes to fresh visual delights to enjoy.
Supporting local brings many benefits
We were pleased to see research conducted for the Scotland Loves Local campaign showed almost 90% of Scots say it’s vital people support local businesses because we believe that a destination which supports local suppliers also allows you to continue to support the Scotland Loves Local movement while you’re on holiday.
An added bonus of supporting local also allows our business to cut its carbon footprint, as well as helping us to build relationships with people in our local community. As a direct result of supporting local, we help to create and sustain local jobs, which helps to keep businesses and communities alive.
So, for all those reasons, sourcing locally is a huge part of our business and it’s an area that we will continue to invest in for years to come.
Local touches to look out for at Saplinbrae…
Saplinbrae rooms & lodges
· Soaps - we use Ness soaps - made with quality ingredients, pure and natural essential oils and fine-grade fragrance oils – near the banks of Loch Ness.
· Mattresses - our mattresses are made and supplied by local charity and Royal Warrant holder, Glencraft of Aberdeen, which has supplied Balmoral Castle for four generations of the Royal Family.
· Blankets – we’re proud to use high-quality woollen blankets supplied by Alexanders of Scotland – renowned for their quality since 1811.
· Curtains – the curtains you will draw to mark the start the end of each day are supplied locally by the same mill as the blankets, through JC Rennie.
· Bottled water – when you come to our part of the world, one of things you’ll look forward to is drinking the local water – renowned for its purity. So naturally, the bottled water in your room is local-sourced from Deeside Water, whose source at Pannanich Wells has been sampled over the years by Lord Byron, Sir Walter Scott and Queen Victoria, who wrote in her Highland Journals about taking guests to sample it.
· Sweet treats – we know our guests love the world-renowned Tunnocks Teacakes we provide in our rooms. Although they’re not local to Aberdeenshire, they are a Scottish favourite and our guests love them!
Saplinbrae restaurant
Sourcing locally is something you absolutely expect in a restaurant and we’re proud to provide our guests with high quality produce with the added benefit of low food miles.
Being farmers ourselves we naturally deem provenance to be of the highest importance, so we’re committed to sourcing locally as far as possible.
Our fish comes from suppliers in Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Sandend, our beef and lamb either from our own farm or from our local butchers and our vegetables and eggs from Morag in Crimond.
Over on our Dine page you can read about other local food producers and suppliers we use in our restaurant.
Through our other suppliers
We’re also proud to continue to partner with other local suppliers for a range of products and services to benefit our guests, including:
Buchan Saw and Tool Services
So, from the moment each day starts with a shower to when it sees you back in bed, your stay at Saplinbrae will allow you to support our local suppliers and enjoy a unique and authentic experience of Aberdeenshire.
Get in touch
Saplinbrae offers stylish rooms, homely lodges and a unique venue for your special event. Explore the rest of the website for details or Contact us for more information.