EXECUTIVE: Monster meets Mountain in new Highland collaboration
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A NEW partnership bringing together the unlikely pairing of hospitality experts and adrenaline junkies, has recently been created in the Highlands.
Nevis Range Mountain Experience, near Fort William in Lochaber, has created a union with hospitality stalwarts Cobbs. This will allow the active tourism destination to provide guests with the best of Highland hospitality.
The duo have dubbed the partnership as ‘Monster meets Mountain’, bringing together the mythical Loch Ness Monster and the Nevis Range.
Chris O’Brien, managing director of Nevis Range, is excited by this new venture with the Cobbs Group.
He said: “The entire team and I at Nevis Range are tremendously excited.
“The Monster expertise of Cobbs combined with our Adventure Mountain will take us to a new level.
“We will have a 365-day offering in the Highlands, as people can experience adventure, retail and hospitality all in one place.”
The Snowgoose and Pinemarten cafés at Nevis Range now operate under Cobbs’ management in line with its other dining establishments and the hotel under construction at the Nevis Range base station will join and strengthen the network of Cobbs hotels in the area.
Additionally, Cobbs will occupy one of the retail spaces at the Nevis Range base station and operate a gift and souvenir shop to ensure visitors can take home memories of their trip.
Since opening in 1989 Nevis Range has been welcoming guests to indulge in their mountain pursuits right in the heart of the Highlands. As a business, Nevis Range offers year-round mountain access to 200,000 skiers,snowboarders, climbers, bikers, hillwalkers, sightseers across all age groups, a large number of whom visit for a great quality coffee with a stunning mountain view across Lochaber.
Nevis Range are confident to be embarking on this new era bolstered with the industry experience and knowledge of: Willie Cameron (Loch Ness Marketing, Cobbs), known locally as ‘Mr Loch Ness’; Fraser Campbell (Cobbs); and Daniel Campbell (Redbox Coffee and Tea).
Mr O’Brien added: “Not only do we combine our collective knowledge, we also bring together an entire Great Glen Experience with Nevis Range acting as the gateway to partnerships right the way up the Glen, with all of the incredible businesses operated by Cobbs.
“Collaboration is the best way to grow Scottish tourism, working together in this fashion represents better value for our existing customers and will open up opportunities for thousands of new visitors to the Great Glen!”
Mr Campbell said: “The association with Nevis Range is one of the most exciting business proposals that Cobbs has engaged with.
“Monster meets Mountain covering both ends of The Great Glen is one of the most inspiring and entrepreneurial tourism and outdoor visitor attraction prospects in Europe from 2023 onwards.”
Mr Cameron, aka ‘Mr Loch Ness’, added: “The directors of Cobbs are delighted to be involved with the team at Nevis Range on this exciting new project to enhance the visitor experience at their end of The Great Glen.
“The marriage of Monster meets Mountain is a marketing coup for the Highlands of Scotland and will benefit visitors and locals alike under the banner of sustainable tourism and conscious travel.
“As the two venues are only 50 miles apart we will give them an all-encompassing experience from downhill mountain biking, skiing, and great local food and drink, along with whisky and gin tasting, storytelling,walking, and of course a cruise and a little bit of monster hunting.”
This partnership comes just after Nevis Range announced a two-year commercial partnership with Commencal, the renowned international bike and ski brand based in Andorra.
Commencal has partnerships with 30 iconic bike parks and trail centres in 15 countries throughout the world.
This venture is a €250,000 investment for Commencal and will provide state-of-the-art equipment and world-class expertise for the Range.
Mr O’Brien said: “To secure a partnership with an incredible, innovative, team-led business like Commencal is a true privilege.
“To be part of the Commencal family of bike parks and resorts is an honour and will help take Nevis Range to the next level.
“The partnership has many facets from events, staff attire, retail collaboration, sponsored trails, bike hire fleet, and much more, all of which will enhance the Nevis Range experience year-round for all our guests.”
When having a meeting with Commencal about the partnership, Mr O’Brien had the opportunity to meet with the First Minister of Andorra – this has now led to Nevis Range having a partnership with the entire country.
He said: “Nevis Range season pass holders will be entitled to a free day of skiing at the Pal Arinsal and Ordino Arcalís ski areas in Andorra.
“We are delighted to offer this fantastic perk to our loyal season pass holders and to host continental snowsports enthusiasts here in the heart of the Highlands!
“We now proudly have the Andorran flag flying next to our Saltire.”
