The board of Visit Inverness Loch Ness has 12 director positions which consist of 10 representatives of levy paying business, 1 councillor nominated by Highland Council and 1 nominated director from either a levy paying business or an Opt-In member.
Don Johnstone, CEO
About me:
I’ve always thrived in jobs that involve putting smiles on faces, which is probably why I’m now in tourism and not still working in the finance sector where I spent 10 years doing various roles which included compliance, auditing, business analysis and change/project management. I spent 9 years at Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC where I was responsible for marketing, communications, press and (award winning) social/digital media. My first foray into tourism came in 2018/19 with VisitScotland. Starting out as an ‘itinerant visitor adviser’ (they called us CooVisors because our van was dressed up as a Highland Coo). In short, I was employed as a traveller in Scotland, speaking to and inspiring other travellers in Scotland. This got me hooked on tourism and I became a Quality & Tourism Adviser in 2020. Lockdown came 2 weeks later, which meant we couldn’t be out on the road; however, it did provide opportunity for me to get experience working with several other areas of the organisation – Business Growth & Development, Market & Marketing Teams, Events, Travel Trade, Digital and Sustainability.
What I Do:
Lead, inspire and enable the team at Visit Inverness Loch Ness to be their natural best, so that we can deliver our best for the destination in a responsible and conscientious manner.
Date joined: October 2023
Likes:
Time with my best friend, drinking nice wine and either intelligent conversation that challenges my thinking…or yakking about total nonsense. Recently discovered that I really like Elderflower despite spending most of my life avoiding it!
Dislikes:
Intolerance, lies and the phrase “because we’ve always done it like that”.
Hobbies:
Golf (for pleasure), trying new things and pushing my limits, audiobooks (I highly recommend Jodi Taylor’s, The Chronicles of St Marys) and learning - a day gone by without learning something new is a day wasted.
Favourite local activity: Getting outdoors with my camera.
Contact: don@visitiln.com
Jo Page, Digital Engagement Manager
About me:
After many years of exploring the Highlands on holiday and not wanting to go home, I made the move to Inverness 16 years ago. My work since moving here has mostly been in tourism and hospitality which includes owning my own guest house and also managing a fleet of hire campervans. I have nothing but passion and enthusiasm for the area and spend my free time exploring and discovering all there is on offer and telling the world about it!
What I do:
My role as Digital Engagement Manager involves promoting the destination and our members to our global online audience through digital marketing campaigns and projects, social media and our website.
Date joined: March 2020
Likes:
Coffee, cake, craft beer, racoons and kindness.
Dislikes:
Greed, Olives and Michael Buble (although I’m sure he’s a very nice person)
Hobbies:
Road trips in my campervan Colin and taking photos of the beauty and nature that surrounds us.
Favourite local activity:
on a calm day sat at Dores beach looking down the Loch, one of my all time favourite views of the world.
Contact: jo@visitiln.com
Sharon Mackay, Membership Manager
What I do:
I joined VILN in 2012 pre the first ballot as BID Co-ordinator, having been involved in setting up Inverness City BID in 2008. I work 15 hrs a week as Membership Manager and encourage members to make the most of their direct member benefits. I especially enjoy organising the networking events and providing B2B opportunities for members to collaborate. I coordinate marketing initiatives such as the popular ‘See and Do’ visitor maps and ‘Support Local’ banners.
Likes:
Walking our lovely collie dog, helping to manage the family farm holiday lodges, spending time with friends and family and eating my youngest daughter's wonderful food. I also enjoy listening to both my daughters playing the piano and fiddle, especially when I have the dishes to do!
Dislikes:
People not all being treated equally/with respect.
Hobbies:
Cycling, skiing and playing the piano from time to time
Favourite places in our destination:
Glen Affric and Cawdor Woods
Contact: sharon@visitiln.com
Emma Harrison, Destination Development Manager
About me:
My previous work has been in Management, leading large teams across the Highlands and Islands and building a Sports Strategy for the University. My mission is to encourage others to make the most out of their lives, stay healthy and never stop adventuring. I have worked for large organisations such as NHS, offer Scottish Mental Health First Aid Training, and I am also a freelance journalist for sports magazines.
What I do:
As a Destination Development Manager I work with members to enhance what we can offer as a destination, working collaboratively to achieve results into making us an award winning choice for visitors.
Date joined: March 2022
Likes:
Travelling, Trail Running, Running up Mountains, Cooking, learning more about food cultures and writing!
Favourite Local Activity:
Running on the South Loch Ness Trail, eating in the wonderful restaurants we have to offer
Contact: emma@visitiln.com
Caz Davies - Business Support
About me:
I moved up here 10 years ago to study at UHI and stayed for my love of the area. I have worked in various organisations in the Third Sector for most of my career in Inverness and the surrounding areas. Mainly worked for charities and museums, I love connecting with people and setting up systems for success. I’m also freelance heritage retailer for small independent heritage organisations.
What I do:
As Business Support, my role is aiding the rest of the team and being the go to person to answer any member enquiries.
Date joined:
October 2024
Likes:
Anything sweet, coffee, my cats and dog
Dislikes:
Liquorice and inequality
Hobbies:
Reading a good book and playing RPGs
Favourite Local Activity:
Walks along beaches and eating in cafés
Iris Thompson-Burton - Active Travel Officer
About me:
After spending too many years working in London and finding I was escaping home to the Highlands for my downtime, I took the decision almost 6 years ago to quit the rat-race, the long commutes and hectic working life in London to come home to the Highlands. I am passionate about communities and showcasing their vibrancy and all that they have to offer. I have a passion for championing and supporting others.
What I do:
My role is to help identify the challenges that restrict/prevent active travel and identify how we can overcome these challenges and bring active travel to our communities and our visitors. To showcase the pockets of best practice and help promote to other communities.
Date Joined: July 2024
Likes: Spending time in the kitchen, Wild swimming , natters with my friends about everything and anything, reiki, Whisky and Thunderstorms.
Dislikes: Unfairness, Rudeness, early morning alarm calls and predictive technology that thinks it is helping (I’ve lost count of the number of times I have told my car to be quiet when it beeps when there a leaf nearby!)
Favourite Local activities:
Wild Swimming – the colder the better, I’m in the water all year round and in the winter months have been know to take a sledgehammer to break the ice to get the chill, I also love trying out local restaurants and eateries, and visiting local producers and farm shops.
Contact details: activetravel@viln.com
Visit Inverness Loch Ness Board Members
Tony Story, Co-Chair Visit Inverness Loch Ness, Kingsmills Hotel Group
Victoria Erasmus, Co-Chair Visit Inverness Loch Ness, Glen Mhor Hotel
Ina Davies, Vice Chair Visit Inverness Loch Ness, Courtyard By Marriott Inverness Airport
Caroline Gregory, Director, The Lovat
Jane Slaughter, Director, Pinewood Steading
David Shayer, Director, Aye Stay
Cheryl Campbell, Director, Inverness Airport
Emmanuel Dambier, Director, Bazpackers Hostel
Ian Brown, Director, Councillor and City Leader, Highland Council
Rebecca Holt, Director, Eden Court Highlands
Gail Cleaver, Director, NTS Culloden
Russell Fraser, Director, Loch Ness Hub & Travel
Board Meeting minutes
Please find below the minutes of the board meetings held