TheConstitution.BalbirnieHouse[12868]

This warning will state that unless your work improves within a stated
reasonable period after the date of warning your employment will be
terminated.

Dismissal: The decision to dismiss you will not be taken without reference to the
Senior Management. Dismissal will be notified to you in writing.

(Subject to satisfactory performance and conduct any warning under these
procedures will be removed from the Company’s records after two years.)

Unsatisfactory Sickness Record

The following are examples of unsatisfactory attendance:
• long-term absence due to injury or sickness
• frequent short-term absence due to minor ailments

In appropriate circumstances, the Company may request you to be:

Examined by an independent medical practitioner of its choosing.
In this event, you agree to co-operate with such a request and to permit the
medical practitioner to discuss with the Company the findings of his
examination and his prognosis for your future recovery; and/or-

To be interviewed by a Company representative (at your home if necessary) if
there is a possibility, in the Company’s opinion, that your absence is wholly or
partly due to a personal or domestic difficulty or there are other circumstances
with which the Company might be able to assist you.

The findings of the medical practitioner will be taken into account when the
Company considers the kind of action, if any, which it will take against you in
respect of your absence from work.

If appropriate after such examination/interview, you may be given a first
warning by your Manager which will be confirmed to you in writing.
This warning will specify a period, the length of which (usually, between 1 and 6
months) will depend upon your particular health or welfare difficulties:

• Over which your attendance will be monitored by the Company and a
specified measure of improvement will be required by you; or

• At the end of which you will be expected to have returned to work

If appropriate at the end of such a period, you may be requested to undergo
another examination and/or interview, the results of which the Company will
take into account when it considers the kind of action, if any, which it is
appropriate to take against you.

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Such action may include:

• The issue of a final warning by your Manager which will be confirmed to
you in writing and will specify a further period over which your attendance
will be monitored and the level of improvement expected of you during
such period. This warning will state that failure to show the necessary
improvement within the specified period will result in your dismissal; or

• Your dismissal on notice if the Company concludes, following your medical
examination, that you are not likely to be fit to return to work in the
foreseeable future and that, in all the circumstances, the needs of its
business render it impracticable to await further your return to health or
fitness.

• The decision to dismiss you will not be taken without reference to the
General Manager and will be notified to you in writing.

STAFF FACILITIES

Car Parking
Up until early 2019 the hotel brigade was able to park in and around the areas
between the Courtyard and current waste disposal areas. This was changed,
primarily to allow very significantly improved capability for our many delivery
drivers.

The hotel is currently able to provide car parking facilities for the hotel brigade,
within our designated brigade car park between the hotel and the Golf Club
clubhouse.

If the brigade car park is full, please park in the car park on the far side of the
driveway, nearest to the Golf Clubhouse.

All other car parks are for the designated use of our guests.

Staff Changing
Separate changing facilities with lockers are provided for male and female staff,
for the use before and after shifts completed for the day.
Whilst reasonable precautions are taken to safeguard the premises, the Hotel
cannot be responsible for the safety of your personal belongings and you are
advised to make adequate insurance arrangements if you are concerned.
Valuables should not be brought to work in the first instance.
Locker keys are issued by Balbirnie’s VP of Miscellaneous.

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Staff Meals
-During a normal 8-hour shift you are entitled to a 30-minute break, the timing
of which will be notified by your Head of Department or Duty Manager.
-As per National Government guidelines Balbirnie House has no obligation
whatsoever to make any provision for staff meals. Detached from this, it is
however our endeavour to actually serve lunch and dinner for staff. This is at
the specific behest of our company directors.
-Obviously depending on levels of business these times will vary and may not
always correspond with your break time.
-Quite simply, staff have the option of either taking the meal on offer or
alternatively providing their own meals.
-We will usually provide vegetarian alternatives.
-Staff are not permitted to help themselves to bread and sandwich fillings etc.
-Staff are not permitted to drink the hotel’s orange juice, milk by the glass etc
-Staff are permitted to consume tea and instant coffee as provided.

Whilst the company provides our brigade with complimentary instant coffee and
a range of teas, we do serve a range of additional Barrista coffees to our
guests.
Should you wish one of these, please pay for it at our front desk first, usual
brigade discount applies.
Please note, if you help yourself to Barrista coffee without paying, the company
will regard this as theft.

Inspired by Street Food dining in Copenhagen, our brigade Courtyard dining
facility opened in 2017. It was actually funded by Carlsberg. We use this for
lunch each day 11.30am to 12 noon, April to end September. For the rest of the
year, we use The Balbirnie Bistro. As guests arrive to use areas at 12 noon,
there must be time and provision to clear and reset for guests.

We envisage lunch as a community catchup opportunity. Please do all possible
to participate. Kitchen brigade will ensure all serving utensils, plates, cutlery are
in situ, so as to deliver instantaneous mass service.
We remind DM’s, please define and total staffing numbers on digital handovers,
so as to assist next day with kitchen planning.

When we serve lunch, and evening soup, there’s always a choice. That choice
is, ‘Take it, or Leave it’.
We very courteously point out, that all such provision is organised by our
company directors, simply to do our best by our brigade and working
environment.

Our brigade is prohibited, absolutely, from helping themselves to food, drinks,
stored items, leftover items, outwith official meals provided by our directors,
and organised by our kitchen brigade. Our Duty Management team are under
express instruction, obligated to apply immediate Disciplinary Process with any
circumstance whereby anyone is helping themselves to anything outwith official
meals. Crystal clear, the company considers this as theft.

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THE MONTHLY BBQ
In the summer months, and at the behest of our company directors, each
month we have ‘an instant serve brigade BBQ’ in our Courtyard at 11.30am, on
a day on which we don’t have a wedding taking place.
ZERO ALCOHOL ON DUTY
As a tradition which we intend continuing, there has never been a single
recorded circumstance, of any member of our brigade partaking of an alcoholic
drink whilst on duty, individually.
Collectively however, there was one circumstance on 19th October 2019, when
champagne was served to every single member of the brigade who was on
duty.
In celebration, of the world’s Best Destination Wedding Hotel.

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Brigade Mail
All incoming hard copy mail will be stored in the General Office, and will be
distributed daily.

We ask that the brigade takes a personal ongoing commitment to asking any
organisation sending hard copy materials, to either stop or switch to digital.
The Handling of Incoming Nuisance Calls
New types of bin bags? Driveway repairs? Advertising space? Radio advertising?
New suppliers? We continue to contend with proactive incoming calls, simply by
saying, ‘Please can you email the GM, and we will come back to you if we
are interested, moving ahead please only email the GM, as we need to
maintain our telephone lines prioritised for our guests … ’ E:
[email protected]

Staff Telephone Calls
Personal calls are not to be made or received whilst on duty and are not to be
made from the Hotel’s telephones, except in any extenuating circumstances,
and with the Duty manager’s permission.

Mobile Phones
May only be carried and used by Duty Manager, specifically for logging QR scan
points on health and safety walkrounds, and taking photographs and video clips
for social media updates.
Should you otherwise have a necessity to bring your mobile phone to work,
please store it in a locker.

Smoking – Guests
There is currently still ability for guests to smoke outside, and we have
designated areas and ashtrays for this.

BANNED WORD
Youse

FIST BUMPS IN THE BALBIRNIE WORKPLACE
Since 1992 onwards, our company had a proud culture of shaking hands in the
workplace, especially amongst all those who have held supervisory positions.
In 2014, ground-breaking research from Aberystwyth University made us pause
and think. We thought for 5 years, and in late 2019 we switched to fist bumps.
We encourage this across the entire span of our brigade.
Our reasons for this, are fully motivated by doing all we can to deliver absolute
best practice health and hygiene, especially assisting all work in and around
dealing with f + b production.

‘Shaking hands transmitted 2 times more bacteria than high fives, and 10 times
more bacteria than bumping fists’.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/fist-bump-better-handshake-cleanliness-
201407297305

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OUR HOTEL BRIGADE, AND FITNESS
Balbirnie Park offers many wonderful trails for walking, and running. There are
very significant changes, as we transition through the 2 seasons of the year,
Over the years, we have had brigade micro running club (Balbirnie Park 3 times
weekly at 5pm) and micro cycling club (Monday morning 8am varying 20km to
110km).
In 2020 multiple brigade members are participating in
**Swim/Bike/Run Virtual Challenge 2020** - this is organised by Nicola
Philp, who is Balbirnie House’s visiting specialist for Swedish, and Sports
Massage.
https://www.entrycentral.com/event/107892?fbclid=IwAR0Yav4Vdey
9gnSQZytqfJGrtpVU4CLJjQvkxZ7xut6hMkUbi4koDkzSxI8
Since 2015 Balbirnie House has been an official sponsor of (GTC) Glenrothes
Triathlon Club.
We provide regular complimentary meeting facilities for the club committee, all
support possible for the annual Balbirnie Duathlon
https://www.triathlonscotland.org/the-balbirnie-park-duathlon/ , complimentary
presentation facilities for annual club awards, and special pricing for attending
festive celebrations. Some of our brigade members are also GTC members,
annual membership is £20 via http://www.glenrothestriathlonclub.co.uk

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SMOKING POLICY for brigade, defined 30.1.2019
It is the policy of Balbirnie House Hotel Ltd., that all our existing internal
workplaces are smoke free, and all employees have a right to work in a smoke
free internal environment.

The additional policy came into effect in January 2019. • Smoking including the
use of electronic smoking devices is prohibited throughout the entire workplace
including doorways, main entrances, fire-exits and grounds as per the site plan
of our company grounds. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, and
agency staff.

Aim • The aim of this policy is as far as is possible to do so, to provide a smoke-
free environment, for the benefit of staff, individuals we support and visitors; •
This is fundamental to our company’s desire to be a responsible employer, and
to embrace the continuous improvement of employees and individual’s health,
safety and welfare; • Health improvement is a key aim of the “Scottish
Executive” and the N.H.S. reduction in smoking prevalence and exposure will
contribute greatly to this; • Smoke free environments are recognised methods
of achieving this aim, all of which are at the heart of this policy • No visitor,
individual we support or staff member should be exposed to tobacco smoke or
vapors for the use of electronic smoking devices against their will; • It is
tobacco smoke, and its effects on those who use it and are exposed to it, that is
the problem rather than the smokers themselves; • Smokers who want to stop
can be offered smoking cessation support through various government
agencies.

We also underline, that we cannot accept any circumstance in our work
environment, whereby a member of our brigade arrives to work in the
premises, with clothing and / or person pervaded with the scent of cigarette or
cigar smoke.

Here is the site plan for our premises.
Our company does not permit brigade smoking on any of our premises.

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THE 10 GOLDEN RULES OF BALBIRNIE
(These have been ‘up on the wall’ since 1993!)
1. Looking for new ways to do old jobs means progress.
2. Always ask, don’t wait to find out.
3. Smile, enjoy yourself.
4. Do it once, do it properly.
5. Never compromise on standards.
6. Help each other, work as a team.
7. Under-promise and over-deliver.
8. Have objectives and achieve them.
9. Have strength through knowledge.
10. If at first you don’t succeed – ask yourself why.

THE FUNDAMENTALS
Balbirnie House operates with annual sets of ‘fundamentals’.
These are departmental documents which highlight the most important issues
which relate to the successful operation of each individual department.
These all combine to help us achieve as much operational efficiency and
consistency as possible.

THE KNOWLEDGE
For those who work front-of-house we have the following procedures in place-
- Induction
- Fast track training
- Basic training
- Advanced Training/ Bar training
- On job performance monitor
- Appraisal
-The Knowledge Examination and Certification

OUR FOOD PHILOSOPHY
We consider it appropriate herein to mention some of the ethos behind our
menus and the challenges and opportunities they present as we move into the
future.

-We have a focus on availability of seasonal produce and changing annual
seasons.
-At times some aspects of the physical presentation of dishes is relatively
simple, allowing natural ingredients and clearly defined flavours to become even
more evident.
-Some dishes on our menus are ‘Balbirnie Classics’, others are brand new,
taking influences from around the world, albeit grounded in the traditions of
classic cooking.
-As we move in turn to contemplate future menus we see some new dishes
being tried out as specials, and we offer every encouragement for the kitchen
brigade one and all to come up with ideas for new dishes, and these may
feature on our menus. As a collective unit the kitchen brigade considers these
on an ongoing basis.

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-We like to see the ongoing development and statement of ‘Balbirnie Signature
Dishes’.
-We always need to have a capability to make all service brisk.
-The experience of dining at Balbirnie always aims to be commensurate indeed
with our aim of consolidating the reputation of the Orangery as one of the
loveliest and most approachable restaurants in Scotland.
- In all ways, we aim to reflect a combination of classic, and contemporary
Scotland.

COCKTAIL MENTALITY
Most of our cocktails are classic, as defined by The UK Bartender’s Guild.
http://ukbartendersguild.co.uk
Recipes therein, have been classically defined, and they do not need to be
altered in any way.
Every single cocktail we deliver, is designed for speed and ease of creation and
service.
The GM personally approves any new introductions.

WINE MENTALITY
Back in the 1990’s we had over 350 different wines. But times change, and so
must we.
Today, we operate with a compact list, with every single wine designed to sell.
We deliver pricing which provides significantly better value than many of our
industry competitor properties.
We do not store wines long term. Where possible, we use screw cap bottles.
House Policy: the shift DM ensure deliveries are correct, and stored during shift.

DRINKS MENTALITY
Everything we offer, is designed to sell.
We do not stock niche products, and if we introduce new products, we closely
monitor how it sells.
As at 2020 we are introducing our own gin, The Balbirnie Botanist. With a recipe
known only by the GM, it is not perfumed, designed for mass appeal, and sits at
the interface of Gordon’s, Tanqueray, and Botanist (Islay).
House Policy: the shift DM ensure deliveries are correct, and stored during shift.

PROCURE WIZARD
Much of our purchasing and procurement is via Procure Wizard.
https://www.procurewizard.com
We are careful with our purchasing, seeking to pass value onwards to our
clients.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Our annual award for ‘Employee of the Year’ is usually determined as follows:
Each month during the monthly management meeting (usually last Tuesday of
the month), a winner is announced by MD Balbirnie, further denoted with the
reasons for winning. Winner receives a bottle of celebratory Champagne, and a

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voucher for cocktails and 3 course feature dinner in Balbirnie’s Orangery, for 2
guests.
In January, the board of directors consider 12 monthly winners, and Employee
of the Year is then announced.
Monthly and annual winners can of course denote this information on CV’s.

For the historic record, given Haute Grandeur evolution, during 2018 and 2019,
the company only defined seasonal recipients.

OUR CULTURE AND SOCIALS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
From 1992 onwards, our company directors have usually delivered a January
disco party. This operated in many varied formats, from fancy dress events, to
invited partners, to sit down meals, to buffet, and from what is now our
business centre, our Millennium Ballroom, and our main front-of-house areas.
This usually involved closing the premises, which we were able to do if a very
quiet night was available. With attendance defined as optional however, in
years approaching 2019 the annual occasion did not deliver full brigade
attendance and holistic inclusion.
And in late 2019 we installed Guestline’s massive technology upgrade, and
transitioned into our new digital Ecosystem, paving the way to the likely end of
any potential nights which were possibly quiet enough to justify closing the
premises.

Over the years, our company directors have also delivered and fully paid for
management team day outings, summer BBQs, and annual attendance for
invited guests at the Red Carpet Film Premiere launch of The Edinburgh Film
Festival. Our directors have also organised and paid for 10 representatives from
our brigade, to attend the annual black tie event, Scotland’s Hospitality Oscars
at The Scottish Hotel of the Year awards. In tandem with the 2019 transitions,
we created a blend of two new positions, VP of Miscellaneous and Vibe Manager
and Head of all things Awesome, with both of those roles aligned with a
component of focus on Balbirnie social, wellness, wellbeing, and fitness within
our brigade.

Moving ahead into the 2020 future, our formalised intended social calendar will
consist of a monthly (April to September) brigade BBQ lunch served in our
Courtyard, on a day on which levels of envisaged business enable us to
proceed. We intend continuing with the Red Carpet Film Premiere launch of The
Edinburgh Film Festival, and ongoing attendance at The Scottish Hotel Awards.
Our company directors will also have occasional ‘by invitation at home’ dinner
events, with a particular occasional focus on considering the evolution of
Balbirnie’s future gastronomy, and introduction of new food and drink products
and recipes.

Should any of our brigade wish to self-organise unofficial social occasions
outwith Balbirnie House, feel free to do so.

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Electric vehicles and electric charging:
In 2015 our company directors aligned to using electric vehicles.
Two north carpark electric vehicles charging stations were deployed for guest
use in 2015.

In 2019 we entered a collaborative partnership with Tesla.
Two Tesla-specific charging stations were added in our front carpark, and
Balbirnie House’s location became auto-mapped for all Tesla drivers, who can
charge their vehicles without financial charge, on proviso that they are hotel
guests.
https://balbirniehouse.blogspot.com/2019/11/balbirnie-house-and-tesla-
collaborative.html

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HELPFUL GENERAL POINTS

-All brigade members please use the Courtyard entrance.
Entry via The Blue Door, which has a sign which says, ‘This is your moment.
TODAY IS NOT A DRESS RHEARSAL FOR TOMORROW’, the sign added in 2014.
The sign is in homage to the brigade entrance sign of the hotel in which
Nicholas Russell started his career, The Savoy Hotel, The Strand, London.
That hotel’s sign simply says, ‘This is your moment’.

-Guest toilet facilities are situated on the ground floor en route to bedrooms
105-107.

-Staff toilet facilities are situated on the lower floor in the staff changing rooms.

-Bedrooms 101-104 are through the Long Gallery past the Garden Room.

-Bedrooms 201-211 are up the stairs from reception, on the first floor.

-Bedrooms 301-314 are up the stairs from reception, then up the second
staircase to the third floor.

-Fire Assembly point – this is outside in the main entrance car park.

IN THE OLDEN DAYS!

In answer to the many questions from our guests…

Back in the 1800’s…

- The Garden Room was originally the main entrance to the house.

- The Long Gallery was called ‘The Saloon’.
This room was designed originally for Scottish country dancing.

- The Drawing Room was The Billiards room

- The Library Bar was The Library

- The West Room was The Drawing Room

- The East Room was The Dining Room

- Rooms 105 and 106 were The Smoking Room

- The Belltower suite was staff offices

- The Bistro was the kitchen

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Hunting in the old days…
There used to be a lot of hunting within the park, indeed it was recognised as
one of the most prolific hunting grounds in Edwardian Britain.
Here is a list of what was shot over the course of 4 days in November 1902…
2,443 pheasants
134 partridge
125 hares
246 rabbits
10 woodcocks
2 snipe
13 wild ducks
67 wood pigeons
Nowadays there is no hunting within the park.
Nowadays we do not even set off fireworks, unless of course it is November 5th,
or they are silent.

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DIRECTIONS TO BALBIRNIE HOUSE

BY ROAD: -
FROM EDINBURGH (27 miles)
Follow signs for the Forth Road Bridge – M90. Exit junction 2A onto A92. Follow
signs to Glenrothes and the Tay Road Bridge. At Kirkcaldy end of dual
carriageway go straight through 3 roundabouts still following Tay Road Bridge
signs, then turn right on the next roundabout onto the B9130 following signs to
Markinch and Balbirnie Park.
Balbirnie House is signposted and sits as the centrepiece of the 400 acre
Balbirnie Park.
FROM GLASGOW (62 miles)
Take M8 and follow signs to Forth Road Bridge, then directions as from
Edinburgh above.
FROM PERTH (21 miles)
Take M90, exit junction 9 Bridge of Earn. Take A912 following signs to Glenfarg,
then Gateside, Strathmiglo, Falkland and Glenrothes. Turn left on B9130
following signs for Markinch and Balbirnie Park. Alternatively take M90 to
junction 3 and follow directions as from Edinburgh. (Longer but all motorway or
dual carriageway)
FROM DUNDEE (23 miles)
Follow signs to Tay Road Bridge. Take the Kirkcaldy road (A92 and A914) to
Glenrothes.
Turn left on B9130 following signs to Markinch and Balbirnie Park.

TAXI TRANSFERS…
We recommend numerous local operators.

BY RAIL: -
Balbirnie House is less than a mile from Markinch Railway Station.
There is a regular service to both Dundee and the North, and to Edinburgh and
the South.
National Rail Enquiries Tel. 0845 7484950

BY BUS: -
There are regular bus services in and around Fife.
For more information please contact Glenrothes Bus Station on 01592 610686

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Balbirnie House, Balbirnie Park, Markinch, by Glenrothes, Fife KY7 6NE
(Tel 01592 610066)
On the web at www.balbirnie.co.uk Email [email protected]

FITNESS AT BALBIRNIE HOUSE
Our company directors are always keen to highlight life balance and fitness for
the entire brigade. Especially, Balbirnie Park has many beautiful walking /
jogging / running trails, which can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Over the years we have seen in-house running and cycling mini-clubs, anything
you personally have in mind, feel free.
We do not believe it to be good practice to work unreasonable hours.
We aspire not to have anyone in our company deployed beyond working time
directives, especially to pave the way for a balance between work and personal
life.

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IronMan
As a member of Glenrothes Triathlon Club, on 7th July 2019, and at the age of
51, Nicholas Russell became Scotland’s first hotelier IronMan.
This took place in Austria, and is regarded as one of the world’s toughest
sporting occasions, with all stages timed and to complete in less than 17 hours.
Subsequently a Motion of Congratulations was made in Scotland’s Parliament.

https://www.hotelnews.scot/news/scotlands-only-hotelier-and-ironman
https://www.fifetoday.co.uk/sport/other-sport/glenrothes-athlete-is-crowned-
as-iron-man-1-4965056
Fife is a truly wonderful location for Triathlon training. As an example, the
cycling routes to the north-east of Balbirnie Park, are totally superb.
Should you wish to discover more about what went into becoming an IronMan
(it involved 15,000 kilometres of progressive training) then here’s an 18 minute
film clip explainer:
The IronMen of Fife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMWxizzLp1E&t=130s

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THE BALBIRNIE DUATHLON
Each summer, we do all we can to assist Glenrothes Triathlon Club, in delivering
The Balbirnie Duathlon. The start and finish line is on the grassed area beside
our front carpark. The event is a 5k park run, followed by an 18k cycle, followed
by a 2.5k park run.
Having previously won Triathlon Scotland’s ‘Most Enjoyable Event of 2013’, the
occasion has steadily grown over the years. In 2017 the Balbirnie Duathlon won
Triathlon Scotland’s ‘Event of the Year’.
Over the years, some of our brigade members have taken part in The Balbirnie
Duathlon. If you fancy taking part, watch out for social media updates on the
annual date, as the occasion always sells to fully sold out capacity.
The interface between Balbirnie House, and the Balbirnie Duathlon?
https://www.triathlonscotland.org/the-balbirnie-park-duathlon/

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BALBIRNIE HOUSE, BIRTHPLACE OF SCOTLAND’S BLOCKCHAIN
DEMOCRACY
By circumstances alone, following Scotland’s 2014 referendum on
independence, starting in late summer 2015 Nicholas Russell was first in
Scotland to begin highlighting Scotland’s capabilities to use blockchain’s #DLT
distributed ledger technology to underpin future democracy. This was actioned,
as voluntary for Scotland’s future, and became a 5 year ‘hobby subject, which
became more than a hobby’.

This initiated via the YesDayScotland media portal, centred on twitter, but
extending into film and wordpress.
Nicholas then became Scotland’s features writer delivering investigative
reporting on this niche subject, writing for media portals initiating with Business
for Scotland (Scotland’s largest business network), with a Trilogy defining (a)
overview, (b) the bridge between academics and general public, and (c) the
first ever article with a politician. Subsequently Digital Scotland News, Irish
Tech News, and Bella Caledonia.

Nicholas co-hosted Scotland’s inaugural Blockchain Democracy summit, which
took place at Balbirnie House in March 2018, during the weeks long ‘Beast from
The East’ snow storm. Amongst massive travel chaos, the furthest guests
managed to travel to Balbirnie House, all the way from Australia.

On 31st July 2018, Scotland’s government issued their report which confirmed in
collaboration with their Edinburgh-based blockchain public infrastructure partner
Wallet Services, that the future of democracy in Scotland should be best
underpinned with #DLT.

In autumn 2018 Nicholas joined six other Scotland citizens, on a 500 mile walk
from The Isle of Skye to Edinburgh. The walkers were joined on walking stages,
by communities across Scotland. The walk extended to Civil Rights, and was the
first ever such circumstance to focus on future Blockchain capabilities. The
walkers were invited to finish the walk by leading the Edinburgh All Under One
Banner independence march, down The Royal Mile to Scotland’s Parliament.
Estimates placed the crowd on 6th October 2018, above 130,000 people, the
largest ever such march in Scotland history.

A Motion of Congratulations was lodged in Scotland’s Parliament, for Nicholas
and fellow walkers on the 500 miles walk.

https://yesdayscotland.wordpress.com/2018/10/19/blockchain-democracy-
motion-lodged-in-scotlands-parliament/

The walk was opened on The Isle of Skye by Ian Blackford MP, Scotland’s
Leader in Westminster. Nicholas was asked that day, to set out potential project
architecture for Scotland, to define ambition to become the world’s leading
direct digital democracy. That architecture was delivered by Nicholas on a
novelty memory stick 2 months later, in Scotland’s Parliament, in a closed doors

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meeting with Mike Russell (no relation), Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for
Constitution.
In spring 2019, in The Drawing Room at Balbirnie House, Nicholas became the
first man in world history, to wire blockchain democracy wording into the
developmental prototype of a written constitution for a country, in this case …
Scotland.
This input was delivered at the invitation of constitution project leader Dr Mark
McNaught, of Rennes University, France.
The input is replicable for other future countries.
As and when the world begins using #DLT and democracy for mainstream
participation, Scotland’s origins for conception and media creation, were within
Balbirnie House.
As a historical note, the concept itself did not originate in Balbirnie House. That
occurred circa 750 metres to the north, at Burnside House in Balbirnie Park,
summer 2015.
The first Business for Scotland article:
https://www.businessforscotland.com/blockchain-technology-can-transform-
voting-scotland/
Commemorative photograph in Balbirnie's Business Centre with Business for
Scotland CEO Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp and co-writer Tonie McKay, image via
Scotland's New York Times photographer Ken Paterson Photography in
conjunction with Lifetime Photography.

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Published May 2018, out of more than 4,000,000 blockchain democracy google
search results, this article penned by Nicholas, ‘the only one ever written from
the heart’, remains the number 1 such article on google:

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https://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2018/05/10/scotlands-blockchain-democracy/
THE POLITICS OF BALBIRNIE HOUSE
We don’t have any allegiance to any political party.
BALBIRNIE HOUSE AND QUOTES FROM POLITICIANS

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BALBIRNIE HOUSE AND TOURISM VAT
Balbirnie House was highlighted as a Case Study in 2014- in the Westminster
debate on tourism VAT.

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The organisation CutTourismVat has campaigned for UK tourism tax to be
aligned to the same ballparks as other EU countries, which can be 5% or 6%,
compared to the UK’s 20% today.

Fast forward to 2019. And NOTHING has changed.
Scotland still pays 20% tourism VAT, despite Scotland’s politicians having
agreed en masse, that the rate should be re-aligned.
And in any event, Scotland cannot even decide its own tourism VAT rate, as
that decision is reserved to the opinions of politicians in Westminster.

http://www.cuttourismvat.co.uk

https://www.thecaterer.com/news/foodservice/scottish-mps-urge-review-of-
tourism-vat-in-letter-to-chancellor

The point being, that we … directors, management, the entire brigade.
In these contexts, and in financial terms, are on our own as a company.
Certainly underlines how and why our directors always act to do their utmost
for the entire company.

THE ECOSYSTEM
When we refer to our Ecosystem, we are contemplating anything in relation to
entire mass of digitalised marketing capabilities, across the span of all social
media. Twitter, as an only example, we have 6 individual twitter feeds.
Databases? Years ago, we decided to bring all marketing in-house.
We collect data from multiple sources, such as via in-house WiFi initiation,
Blue2 website, Hubspot sliders, and all functions as GDPR compliant.

We currently have over 18,000 individuals within our database, and future
objectives will see this accelerate.
Digitalised gift vouchers are within the Ecosystem.
The ecosystem is personally overseen by The Vibe Manager and Head of all
things Awesome, basing from within our Technical Room.

OUR DAILY BALBIRNIE HOUSE NEWSPAPERS
We publish two social media newspapers, each day circa 10am.
These format on certain days with front page splashes based upon our own
previous media, publishing from The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
(EPFL) – Innovation Center (Lausanne, Switzerland).
These are:

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THE LAST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH
On this day, we have a series of meetings.
12 noon – weddings and special events
1pm – Operations Manager updates
2pm – 4pm GM/ MD Balbirnie and invited brigade members

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THE BALBIRNIE BUSH TELEGRAPH
So named after our original paper copy newsletters, this E: newsletter publishes
after our monthly meetings, distributing through the brigade, and across the
span of our media.
Brimming with previous month special event news, highlights, photography,
and brigade news.
Do you have something you would like to submit for this? This is your moment!
We are open to any suggestions. Please send to The Vibe Manager and Head of
all things Awesome.
The Bush Telegraph is a modern era accumulating archive of Memories are
Made of This, set to rack monthly on our website, for decades to come.

THE ACCUMULATOR
We maintain The Accumulator as an Excel which collates all innovation and
evolution. This is for ease of reference for example, for the phased judging
processes applied by the judges of The Scottish Hotel Awards.

SCOTLAND’S NATIONAL HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Balbirnie House was the Macallan / Taste of Scotland National Hotel of the Year
in 1994. And subsequently via The Scottish Hotel of the Year awards, National
Hotel of the Year in 2016.
We would like to think that we will be able to achieve this again in the future.
This will only be possible if the brigade surpasses benchmarks delivered by our
many industry colleagues, across Scotland’s phenomenal Hospitality sector.

BALBIRNIE HOUSE CODE OF CONDUCT
Balbirnie House is committed to making working in hospitality accessible to
everyone over the age of 16. This code sets out what Balbirnie House will try
and do for you, and what you can do for Balbirnie House.

The hotel and its management team will endeavor to;

• Commit to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of all its brigade
• Ensure work activities are safe, inclusive, legal and fair, meeting established

good practice guidelines
• Provide a range of training and development opportunities for all abilities
• Encourage brigade members to be open at all times and share any concerns

or complaints that they may have
• Provide opportunities for brigade members to openly suggest ways to

improve the hotel organisation, and contribute to the running of the hotel

All brigade members shall:

• Abide by the hotel Constitution and Code of Conduct as defined by the
directors of the company

• Respect all fellow brigade members, regardless of their age, gender, sexual
orientation, cultural background, religion or Hospitality ability

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• Support and encourage good practice by abiding by rules, respecting
management decisions

• Encourage and commend fellow brigade members in their training, and
participation

• Communicate openly and freely with hotel management
• Be expected to contribute to the running of social events, and participate in

social events

HOTEL RULES
By joining the company, you agree to:

• Not bring the hotel into disrepute
• Abide by the Code of Conduct within our Constitution
• Avoid any actions that may endanger other brigade members
• Be courteous at all times to fellow brigade members and guests alike
• Always wear suitable uniform whilst at work

ONLINE CODE OF CONDUCT
Any communications made by brigade members should not:
1. Bring the hotel, or its brigade into disrepute, for example, by:

making defamatory comments about individuals, the hotel, or circumstances
in and around work
• Be posting images that are inappropriate, or links to inappropriate content;
• be seen to support (for example by ‘liking’ on Facebook or retweeting on
Twitter) a comment or post that would fall into any of the above categories
(retweeting a comment may be intended only to make people aware of it, but
this is often construed as showing support for the statement retweeted. So
don’t retweet any comment which you wouldn’t own as yours)
2. Breach confidentiality, for example by:
• giving away information about an individual, or organisation that is
confidential
3. Do anything that could be considered discriminatory against, or bullying or
harassment of, any individual, for example by:
• making offensive or derogatory comments relating to gender, race, disability,
sexual orientation, religion or age;
• posting images that are discriminatory or offensive.
4. No comment should ever be made about an individual or subject that:
• exposes someone to hatred, ridicule or contempt
• causes them to be shunned or avoided
• disparages them in their office, profession or trade
5. Make misrepresentations relating to the company

Social Media can be used in a positive way, for example, to make people aware
of events, activities or work that you are involved in within the working rolew,
and to make positive statements about the successes and activities of the
company and the brigade.

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Social Media may be used to raise awareness of work done by organisations you
are involved in – with a Hospitality connection, or to answer queries people may
have about the availability of support, information or services.

THE DEFINING IMAGE OF BALBIRNIE HOUSE
Have you watched the movie ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ … ?
If you have, you’ll know that it’s about Walter Mitty working in the photography
department of Life magazine, tracking elusive photographer Sean O’Connell,
who apparently has in his possession, one single, totally incredible photograph,
to be used for the final issued copy of the magazine.
Only to discover, in the final seconds of the movie, that the photo is actually of
Walter Mitty himself, sitting studying potential photographs.
It is a story about people who are absolutely committed to their chosen
professions. And we’ve certainly seen many of those over the years at Balbirnie
House.
Dedicated to the People Who Made It.

Here is our version.
In-house Piper Ian Sword played at 1,241 weddings at Balbirnie House.
And retired, age 81, October 2017.
After Ian had piped his final newly-wedded couple to the top table, our brigade
very purposefully made no grand gestures, and the GM ensured he was not
even personally present to say Goodbye.

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Because, the GM then telephoned Ian at home, saying ‘Ian, you are not done.
We knew you would not be done, and that is why we didn’t say goodbye. We
need you back, and this time it will indeed be the final piping at Balbirnie
House. We would be honoured in the extreme, if you would play the pipes, as
the brigade enters our brand new Drawing Room, to see the most incredible
artwork collection ever gifted to a hotel in Scotland, for the very first time. It’s
our 2017 project of the year! Wildflowers, Balbirnie – and it celebrates our first
quarter century as a hotel!’
The Golden Ribbon was there, ready to be cut.

That day arrived. Friday 13th October 2017.
The 13th chosen specifically, to represent good luck.

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In advance, we asked Ian to arrive early that morning, and asked if he would
care to help us by having his photograph taken, whilst the day’s professional
photographer was ‘warming up’, for the day’s formal photo sessions. Ian agreed
to that.

We took this photo:

And then this one:

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Ian was not aware that the photographer was one of the most accomplished in
the land, Ken Paterson – Scotland’s photographer for The New York Times.

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Ian was not aware that over previous days, the GM had discussed and met with
Ken Paterson, visualising together … how to endeavour to capture what would
become THE DEFINING IMAGE, of a quarter century of Balbirnie House.
So, that morning we then sat Ian down inside the hotel, and had a coffee. The
GM talked of Memories of Ian piping over the years.
And then talked about how those who are no longer with us, would have been
incredulous at Ian’s 1,241 weddings at Balbirnie House.
We could see that Ian was rather emotional, as we were as well, now fully
realising that this was indeed, to be his final time piping at Balbirnie House.
And for those of us on duty that day, it was to be such an incredible honour for
us, to see Ian play for the final time.
Think of it. We then thanked Ian, on behalf of the 1,241 couples.
Not one single client ever let down, every single client absolutely delighted,
every single occasion personalised for the couple.
Such an incredible achievement, which would later receive a Motion of
Congratulations in Scotland’s Parliament.

That morning we then got an iPad out and considered this image, of Ian Sword
front row as a young lad, in The Kinglassie and District Pipe Band. Incredible.
Ian was so very proud to be reminded of the photo.

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And then Ian playing at his first wedding. Incredible.
By now, Ian was lost for words.

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At this point Ken very casually, and nonchalantly asked Ian and the GM if they
would be so kind as to act as the ‘photo models for a few minutes’ to help him
focus his cameras, for the photoshoots which were scheduled for later that
morning.
Ian and the GM said, ‘No problem at all!’
And this is where we arrive at the difference between pointing a camera to take
a photograph, and pointing a camera to capture a piece of magic.
Every piece of this was planned. And for the record it took us 43 photos, to get
to the final result.
Photo of pipes and a whisky, to help show Ian that ‘nothing unusual was going
on’ …

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Change perspective and move the whisky, to get better light:

Photo with GM, to familiarise intended subject with the camera.
Goof around, ‘Are you holding your hands by your sides, why don’t you position
your hands over the sporran chain?’

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