HIT THE CRERAR450

Call out to the industry & beyond to take part in the live event or virtually

Sunday 17th - Friday 22nd September 2023

Crerar Hotels Chief Executive and HIT Trustee Chris Wayne-Wills, will be cycling the Crerar450 route – a total of more than 450 miles – to raise funds for the hospitality industry and he is calling out for industry friends and colleagues to join him.

Chris and David Cochrane, Chief Executive of Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland are the first to sign up to the ‘HIT the Crerar450’ fundraising challenge starting from Balmoral Arms in Ballater and covering all of the Crerar Hotels and sister hotel Dunkeld House Hotel in Perthshire.

The challenge was officially launched last night (Thursday 25th May) at HIT Scotland’s Discovery Dinner in Dundee. Both Chris and David have started a training regime ahead of the 17th of September starting date with the aim of completing the charity challenge within 6 consecutive days.

All the money raised from the ‘HIT the Crerar450’ challenge will go towards providing empowering inspirational development to those studying or working in the hospitality industry in Scotland.

Chris & colleagues will begin from the Balmoral Arms in Ballater and visit Thainstone House Hotel in Inverurie, Golf View Hotel in Nairn, The Glencoe Inn, Oban Bay Hotel, the Isle of Mull Hotel, Loch Fyne Hotel in Inveraray and Dunkeld House Hotel before returning to the Balmoral Arms in Ballater to complete the route. Anyone is welcome to join Chris & David for all or part of the route and help raise valuable funds for HIT Scotland.

The challenge is also available virtually for those unable to make the live event but looking to participate and raise funds for HIT. Fundraisers can choose to walk, jog, run, cycle, row or swim to clock up the 450 miles throughout the week individually or by joining as a team.

Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, said: “Since launching the highly popular Crerar450 route, it’s been a goal of mine to add a fundraising element to help support the incredible work that HIT Scotland does across our industry.

“The idea was born following a HIT Scotland meeting where David and I decided to make it happen. We’re both keen cyclists, although this is a little further than we’re used to, so the training is currently underway.

“Not only are we keen to raise as much money as possible for HIT Scotland, it is also a brilliant team building challenge and helps puts the focus on health and wellbeing. We’re hoping many of our colleagues and friends within the industry will take part either for a leg of the challenge or indeed virtually – after all the benefits are endless.

“The support we’ve had since announcing the challenge has been brilliant, we’re looking forward to September already.”

David Cochrane, CEO of HIT Scotland, said:

"Over the years we have undertaken many physical and demanding challenges. For me, it is a great sign of how the industry comes together to help the emerging talent of our industry. People are key to hospitality and tourism. This cycling challenge will be a real test of endurance, although we will be travelling through some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Ultimately, through our efforts, we will be raising funds for HIT's inspirational scholarship programme and this will keep our wheels turning until we hit the finishing line!!"

The challenge is inspired by the Scottish hotel group’s Crerar450 road trip – a route which takes in all 450 miles between all seven, four-and five-star Crerar Hotels properties and rivals other popular road trips such as the NC500 or the Kintyre 66.

The Crerar450 route starts and ends at the Balmoral Arms in Ballater and takes in some of Scotland’s most breath-taking scenery and iconic landmarks – including the Pap of Glencoe, the Great Glen, Loch Ness and the Balmoral Estate, to name just a few – as well as outstanding local cuisine and unique character.

To join the challenge please email events@hitscotland.co.uk or to donate visit justgiving.com/campaign/crerar450.