The X Factor live concert takes place at Cawdor Castle, Cawdor near Inverness on 27th August 2010.

X Factor Line Up

The X Factor finalists including Stacey Soloman, Jamie “Afro” Archer, Danyl Johnson, Ruth Lorenzo and the gut wrenching Jedward will all be performing plus special guests the MacDonald Brothers.

X Factor at Cawdor Castle Tickets

X Factor Tickets were limited to 6000 but the good news is there are still some available via Ticketmaster at http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 08444 99 99 90. For Inverness Accommodation visit our website at http://www.invernessguesthouseassociation.co.uk/accommodation-inverness.htm

If you are looking for the best techniques for how to clean glass in this article we have listed a few of the most popular and effective methods that avoid using any of the pre-mixed chemicals that are so readily available in the shops today.

How To Clean Glass Using Newspaper

This is just about the oldest method of how to clean glass and is still used today by many people and the older generation swear by it. For this you will need some old newspaper, vinegar and water. Mix the water and vinegar 4:1 (one part vinegar to four parts water) and wash the glass preferably with a lint free cloth. Vinegar being an acid is very effective at cutting through the grease and dirt. Scrunch up a few sheets of the newspaper and buff the glass to a shine. Newspaper seems an unlikely cleaning tool particularly as old printing inks used to make such a mess of your hands but you will be suprised at the result you get.

How To Clean Glass Using Only Water & Cloth

Technology of cloth making has certainly moved on in recent years and with the introduction of lint free cloths and more significantly micro fibre cloths this an excellent environmentally friendly technique of how to clean glass. You can just apply the water to the glass and then buff dry, clean and most importantly smear free using the micro fibre cloth.

How To Clean Glass Using Steam

There are now all manner of steam machines available in all shapes and sizes. The handheld types are more popular around the home and come with various attachments but generally with with a tool for windows. The technique for how to clean glass with a steamer is quite easy. Simply spray the steam onto the glass and either allow to dry naturally or use the squeegee attached provided.

If you are looking for a professional commercial cleaning contractor in London please contact Xenon Office Cleaning Services London on 020 7701 7070.

The 17th Annual Golden Spurtle™ World Porridge Making Championshiptakes place in the Scottish Highland village of Carrbridge on Sunday 10th October 2010. The competition is organised by Carrbridge Ahead supporting Carrbridge and Vicinity Community Council. The main sponsor of the World Porridge Making Championship is oatmeal producers, Hamlyns of Scotland.

World Porridge Making Championship

Sunday 10 October 2010 is not just the World Porridge Making Championship but also World Porridge Day with porridge fans across the globe travelling to join in this international celebration of Scotland’s traditional dish by organising a fund raising event in aid of Mary’s Meals a Scottish based charity which daily feeds more than 400,000 of the poorest children across the world.

For more information on the

World Porridge Making Championship

and World Porridge Day visit the Golden Spurtle™ website. For travel and accommodation information visit the Inverness Guest House Association website.

“Event dates for 2010 are the 6th & 7th of August

The fair offers a diversity of entertainments and activities for all of the family, from crèche facilities to archery! The emphasis is on field sports activities with competitions in fly casting, gun dog handling and clay pigeon shooting. See also, General Information.

Take your pets for the day and children can enter them into the children’s pets parade or, if you have a terrier, try out the terrier races. Please note that only “ground terriers” will be eligible for entry. Activities in the main ring differ from year to year but you may see gun dog or fly-casting demonstrations, pipe bands, falconry displays, and much more.

Tickets for the event cost £10 per person – children under 16 are free and so is the car parking!

There is an abundance of stalls selling the best of Scottish produce and there could be anything from traditional fare such as Venison to Arbroath Smokies, or you could purchase a Scottish made dog harness or walking stick.

There is much more to see and find out about the fair, click the links to discover what the fair is about.

The fair is a non-profit making event and surplus funds are distributed to charities and deserving causes.”

For a fun day out in Inverness, the Moy Fair has something to offer everyone!

Your Inverness B&B and guest house host will be happy to give you further information.

The Inverness High School Community Gala takes place on Saturday 11th September 2010 from 10am to 4pm on the Inverness High School Grounds on Montague Row, Inverness.

Things to see and do include a Bouncy Castle, Face Painting, Farm Tours, a Treasure Hunt, Real Food, a Hog Roast, Music Performances, Fashion Swap Shop [D-Day], Beat the Goalie, an Electric Car, a Climbing Wall/Assault Course/Gladiators, a Car Wash, Bike Sales/Maintenance, Gala Stalls, Ecozone Energy Saving Advice, Cage Football and a Car boot sale.

Inverness High School Community Gala will be an excellent fun event for all the family and admission is FREE!!

Highland Free Spirits offer luxury Loch Ness Cruises .No vacation to the Scottish Highlands is complete without a visit to the beautiful and mystic Loch Ness and there is no better way to see the Loch than on a Loch Ness Cruise boat. Highland Free Spirits specialise in exclusive cruises on a luxurious modern motor cruiser. Highland Free Spirits Loch Ness Cruises offer much more than just a tour and invite you to join them to spend some very special time together on the Loch that has been a huge part of their lives for many years.

Enjoy Loch Ness Cruises With Highland Free Sprits

Loch Ness Cruises

Highland Free Spirits Loch Ness Cruises can accommodate small groups of up to six guests and promise to help you create memories that will last a lifetime as you explore the stunning beauty of Loch Ness. Whether you cruise to the more popular tourist destinations such as the romantic ruins of Urquhart Castle or some of the lesser known but equally beautiful spots such as Dores Bay, you will enjoy the best of Highland hospitality from beginning to end.

Loch Ness Cruises

Highland Free Spirits Loch Ness Cruises have an in depth knowledge of Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal which they can share with you to help you plan your time with them. Alternatively, if you are tired of making decisions every minute of every day, you may prefer to leave the planning entirely to them. In either case, the Loch Ness Cruises are totally flexible and once  out on the Loch you can change your mind and they can detour to look more closely at anything that catches your eye.

For more information on Highland Free Spirit’s Loch Ness Cruises please visit their Website.

WOW Scotland offer guided Walking In The Scottish Highlands giving you the opportunity to discover the stunning scenery that the Highlands of Scotland has to offer.

Walking Tours in The Scottish Highlands

WOW offer Walking Tours in the Scottish Highlandsto breathtakingly beautiful areas such as the Cairngorms and the North West Highlands and no previous experience is necessary as the tours are tailored to everyone’s ability. The walking tours have a duration of 4-6 hours but there are plenty of photo and snack breaks and the location chosen will offer the best weather conditions.

Guided Walks in The Highlands of Scotland

The Guided Walks in the Highlands of Scotland offered by WOW Scotland are led by Gordon Pearson who is a fully qualified mountain leader and has a passion for the outdoors. Throughout the guided walks he will share his in depth knowledge of wildlife, history and all things Scottish. Guests travel in a comfortable 7-seater people carrier and the journey times are between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours each way. WOW can also provide equipment including walking boots, waterproof jackets and trousers, rucksacks, hats and gloves.

Walking Tours in the Scottish Highlands

Walking Tours in the Scottish Highlands leave at 9.30am from outside Inverness Tourist Information Centre on Bridge Streetand generally arrive back between 5pm and 7pm. Trips cost from £35.00 per person including transport and equipment. For booking please visit the WOW Scotland Website or telephone 07919 157067.

Walking Tours In The Highlands Of Scotland

Walking In The Scottish Highlands

The Black Isle Show will be taking place on Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th August 2010 at Mannsfield Showground, Muir of Ord, Ross-Shire, IV6 7RS.

Black Isle Show

The Black Isle Show originates back in 1836 after the Black Isle Farmers’ Society was formed in Avoch and it was this year that the first show was held at Fortrose. The Society promotes the interests of agriculture and also holds its Presentation of Show Trophies in November, a Bonspiel in January, a Ploughing Match in February, Stock Judging in May and as the Main Event of the year, The Annual Black Isle Show on the first Thursday in August. Each year the Society have aimed to improve their Showground and in 2003 they purchased Mannsfield Showground to give themselves the opportunity to improve and upgrade facilities.

As well as the usual events like the sheep sheering competitions this year will feature The White Helmets Motorcycle Display Team for the main ring entertainment. The White Helmets are 30 volunteer soldiers who will be performing their displays on British built Millennium Triumph 750cc motorcycles. By popular demand The Anne Dickson Dance Band will also be performing.

Black Isle Show Admissions

Admissions for the show are £6.00 for adults and £3.00 for children and senior citizens on the Wednesday and £10.00 for adults and £5.00 for children and senior citizens. For more information please visit the Black Isle Show Website.

Black Isle Show Highland Cow

Inverness Tattoo 2010 takes place from 26th to 31st July 2010 at Northern Meeting Park in Ardross Street, Inverness.

Inverness Tattoo is a hugely popular event enjoyed by locals, visitors and tourists from around the world and this year it’s celebrating its 59th Anniversary. The Inverness Tattoo runs for a week and includes the rousing sights and sound of the Pipes and Drums Bands and the stunning Highland and  Country Dancers. As well as the traditional Scottish entertainment there will also be appearances by other performers from around the world.

We are hoping that the weather is good throughout the duration of the Tattoo as this will allow the Golden Lions Parachute Display Team to open the event each evening with a free fall display. As per previous years the excellent Imps Youth Motorcycle Display Team will be entertaining the crowds with their skillful and humerous antics and there will also be a Drill Parade performed by the Combined Three Cadet Services demonstrating the precission and dedication required.

Inverness Tattoo Tickets

Tickets are available online via The Booth and cost £10 for an inside seat or £8 for an outside seat. A £2 discount is offered for children under 16 and adults over 60.

Family Tickets cost £30 for 2 adults and 2 children or a Group Ticket for parties of over 20 people cost £8 per person. For Family and Group tickets please email  info@tattooinverness.org.uk.

Inverness Tattoo

Shrek Forever After is the next film in the series and this time out Shrek is suffering a “mid-life crisis”. In a strange new world ruled by King Rumplestiltskin where he has never met Fiona he has to figure out a way to save himself, his Princess Fiona and his friends.

Tickets for Shrek Forever After are available from the Eden Court Theatre Box Office or by telephoning 01463 234 234.

The Inverness Highland Games is normally scheduled over a weekend but this year it is being reduced to one day which will ensure that the event is action packed for the eight hour duration. The event will have the Heavy Events (tossing the caber, etc), Highland Dancing, Traditional Music, Pipe Bands and Solo Piping and it is being kicked off with a massed pipe and drums band gathering at Falcon Square at 12.15pm and a parade through the City at 1pm.  This is to celebrate ARMED FORCES DAY and will give us all the opportunity to show our support for our armed forces past and present.

The Inverness Highland Games always draws people from around the world both to compete and to spectate. It is an excellent event and it is sure to even more exciting this year. For more information you can visit the Inverness Highland Games Website. Tickets have been reduced to £6 and £3!!

Tony Christie is best known for his international hits Is This The Way To Amarillo, Don’t Go Down To Reno, Las Vegas and I Did What I Did For Maria.

For more information and tickets visit the Ironworks Website or telephone 0871 789 4173.

Xenon started out back in 1987 and were formerly Shiners Window Cleaners in London. Since then the company has grown continually and has expanded both its services and experience. Xenon is committed to giving their customers a top level of service and aim to give 100% client satisfaction at all times. Xenon can proudly boast that they have never lost a customer due to poor service.

The range of services Xenon offer is vast but their core service is Office Cleaning in London and have a selection of prestige clients located around Central London. A detailed specification is created with tasks and frequencies and this document becomes the basis to monitor standards which are assessed at regular client meetings.

It is quite common these days that a provider of the daily cleaning contract also provides a number of other Cleaning Services in London which saves the client time in administering numerous services contracts. Xenon generally provide Window Cleaning, Hygiene Services, Waste Collection and Janitorial Supplies with other services available as required.

Xenon are ever mindful of the significance of security in their clients’ premises and have stringent procedures in place for the recruitment of their London Cleaners. Any special security requirements requested by their clients are implimented in the staff induction process and are giving ongoing consideration during staff assessment and training.

Xenon are committed to the environment and have implimented a range of cleaning products that are 100% biodegradable, environmentally friendly and have the European Eco Label. 

If you are currently re-assessing your contract cleaning requirements please feel free to contact Xenon by telephone: 020 7701 7070, email: admin@xenonweb.co.uk or visit their website at http://www.xenonweb.co.uk/

Yesterday afternoon we went over to Applecross for a late lunch. Travelling over the Bealach-na-Ba pass (at over 2000 feet, the highest paved road in the UK) was fantastic, with wonderful views in all directions.

Bealach-na-Ba pass

Applecross Inn

After coming back over the pass (for the more faint hearted there is the slightly longer but equally beautiful coastal route)

then back to Inverness via Torridon. The loch looked beautiful in the afternoon sunshine and the sides of the road were ablaze with the wild pink and purple rhododendrons.

rhododendrons - Torridon

At the end of this wonderful afternoon we were back in Inverness in time for dinner at Aspendos – terrific!

Performance times are:

Tuesday 29th: 7.00pm only, Wednesday 30th to Friday 2nd: 4.45pm & 7.30pm, Saturdays: 2.00pm, 4.45pm & 7.30pm, Sundays: 12 noon & 3.00pm, Monday 5th to Friday 9th: 2.30pm & 7.30pm.

All seats £5.99 except Ringside. Gerry Cottles Circus is Britain’s Largest Circus. For more information please take a look at their website at http://www.gerry-cottles-circus.co.uk. Ticket & Information Line is 0844 4155 228.

They offer home made sandwiches either to take away or enjoy on the premises and like their delicious food they are made using in-season ingredients. Fresh juices and smoothies are also made on the premises.

The Red Pepper also offer a local delivery lunch options service – courtesy of their fleet of vehicles and they can deliver to your business or place of work.

Red Pepper have recently won a 2010 ICA Award voted as Best Coffee Bar!!

In addition they also offer outside catering for meetings, parties, product launches, seminars, training courses or funerals.

For more information and sample menus visit the Red Pepper website at http://www.red-pepper-inverness.co.uk

Scotland’s Housing Expo will have 4 different “zones” – Design Zone, Sustainable Zone, Future Living Zone and Euro Zone. Design Zone will present product and furniture design with venues for for design exhibitions and and bespoke products. Sustainable Zone will highlight the best in sustainable interiors with interesting and unique sustainable products. Future Living Zone will offer the latest cutting edge products in design and technology. Euro Zone will showcase the best European interior design and products.

Scotland’s Housing Expo will be a great day out for families and visitors to the area especially for anyone with an interest in architecture, design, interiors or the idea of living in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. There will be various events each day with fun things to keep the children entertained plus a cafe to keep everyone refreshed.

For more information about Scotland’s Housing Expo 2010 you can visit their website at http://www.scotlandshousingexpo.com. If you are thinking of staying in the area you can get find great Accommodation Inverness on our website at http://www.invernessguesthouseassociation.co.uk.

On the website you can also find excellent information on Inverness Attractions, Inverness Events, Inverness Travel and useful Travel Resources.

If you are planning to Visit Inverness then it’s definitely worth taking a look at the Fandango Guest House Inverness website.

Glendale is a Visit Scotland 4-Star B&B a short walk from Inverness City Centre and all of the attractions Inverness has to offer.

As well as information about their Inverness Guest House the new website has excellent information on Inverness Events and  Inverness Attractions.

To see the new website please visit http://www.glendale-inverness.co.uk

“Vega
The startling sunsets and clarity of the light on the Isle of Lewis have had a profound effect on Vega‘s paintings. She uses bold, vibrant colour combinations to depict this starkly beautiful island and its surrounding waters in all weather conditions.”

“Isabell Dickson
Isabell works outdoors whenever and wherever possible. Her paintings are a response to the land and seascapes around her, using bold strokes and deep colour to capture the excitement and grandeur of the Highlands with authoritative simplicity.”

The preview of this exciting exhibition at the Highland’s finest gallery will be from 6 pm until 8 pm and will be followed by a post preview party at La Tortilla Asesina, with tapas and sangria at £15 per head. Please RSVP the Castle Gallery.

The exhibition itself continues until 29 May, 2010.