Former Brora hotel staff enjoy reunion more than 30 years after working together
The owner, managers and staff of a Brora hotel during a six-year period more than 30 years ago enjoyed a reunion recently.
Some 16 people connected to the Royal Marine Hotel in the years from 1984-1990 met for lunch at Brora Golf Club on Sunday, October 1.
The group included Ann Henry who with husband Ian owned the hotel at the time. She was accompanied by her daughter, Patricia. Sadly Mr Hendry died in the early 1990s.
Also present was Fiona Beattie, a sous pastry and breakfast chef, who has worked at the hotel for 38 years. She was presented with a small engraved trophy as a ‘fun gesture’ to mark her long service.
Later the same day 12 of the group - four were unable to attend - were treated to a complimentary afternoon tea at the Royal Marine and tour of the property by invitation of owners Highland Coast Hotels.
The hotel chain bought the Royal Marine in 2021 and have since undertaken a £1.5million renovation of the 22-bedroom property.
The get-together was organised by Doris Burns, manageress of the Royal Marine at the time.
She said she had first thought of having a reunion when she met former colleagues earlier this year in sad circumstances.
“We were saying that we only met at sad occasions and it would be nice to have a happier get-together,” she said. “I put out a Facebook messenger group chat saying I wanted to organise a gathering and it went from there. There was quite a good response. It was going to be just staff but then it was suggested that we invited Mrs Henry and also general manager Robert Powell and his wife, Dawn, and general manager Alistair Risk.
Ms Burns said she had been very touched when the Royal Marine offered the complimentary tea.
“It was so good of Highland Coast Hotels,” she said. “It was a really lovely occasion and I felt quite emotional being back at the hotel with everyone and remembering the old days.”
