Describe the best wedding that happened at Mackays Hotel?
That would be Karen's in 2022. Karen contacted me from Glasgow and apart from 1 meeting in the hotel for her bridesmaids to 'check us out' and give their approval (they did!) everything we did was online and by email. It was an absolute joy to have Karen's and Stuart's wedding with us. It's a big responsibility to deliver for our bridal couples and I never take anything for granted , Karen's comment after her wedding still brings tears to my eyes, 'Every bride needs an Ellie' 🥰
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Don't agree to book accommodation for any guests, you've enough to do in the lead up to your wedding and you want to enjoy it! 😍
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
The groom making the favours and place names, he was a woodwork (is that still a word ?!?) teacher and made them himself with the help of some pupils🤩
Describe Mackays Hotel in 5 adjectives
Friendly, professional, accommodating, caring and listens 🥰
Where’s the best photo spot at Mackays Hotel?
Well that would have to be on The Shortest Street in the World, Ebenezer Place which is at the end of our building, only 6ft 9 inches. Great fun squeezing everyone in for a group photo!
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at Mackays Hotel?
All my brides are celebrities in my eyes 💞
What’s your favourite canapé?
I am a vegetarian so I only eat those, my current fav is Bruschetta with whipped feta and sun-dried tomato 😋 but the Beetroot jam, goats cheese, crisp bread comes a close second! So far the guests' fav is Haggis Bonbons, so much so that most other venues started offering them because they had so many requests! For 2024 I think the new fav will be Buttermilk fried chicken, mustard mayo
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Mmmmm nothing wedding related 😀, a hot chocolate made by hubby - it's annoying that he can make a better one than me!
What is Mackays Hotel most unique feature?
For us it's not about the physical aspects, it's about our way of being, we want everyone to love being with us that they want to come back - I like to call it our Mackays Magic 😍
What part of your business are you most proud of?
I am most proud of our team and the way they carry on our ethos of looking after people. The best compliment I feel we ever had was a guest who stayed for 2 weeks writing a review and she said 'It's not like staying in a hotel, it's like staying in Murray and Ellie's home' That really touched me 😘