The Inverness Courier

Tuesday October 7th 2003

Website move earns national recognition

A decision to establish a website four years ago has transformed a Loch Ness-side holiday lettings business and secured it a national award.

Wilderness Cottages, run by Andy and Rosemary Holt from their home at Inverfarigaig, now takes almost all its bookings over the internetand is expanding to offer holiday cottages on the west coast for the first time.

Its success has resulted in it being named Best e-Tourism Business in the Winners@Web competition organised by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

Yet Mr Holt admits the response to the website took them completely by surprise. “We used to advertise in magazines and newspapers but had heard about the internet and decided it was something we had better do,” he said. “We thought it might be easier for people booking from abroad.

It far exceeded our expectations. Four years ago we had seven cottages. Now we have 24 and spend less on advertising than we did then”

The Holts, who currently let cottages from Fort Augustus to Evanton are now seeking properties on the west coast to cater for customers wanting two-centre holidays. They hope to create a separate web page for the new cottages by the   end of the year.