Business of the Month: Galbraith
Our business of the month is Galbraith. Galbraith is Scotland’s most comprehensive property consultancy with an unparalleled breadth of skills and expertise across a broad spectrum of property related services. They handle the sale of a wide range of town and country houses, farms, forestry and estates as well as commercial property. Their sister company, Ossian, offers the official luxury concierge service for NC500 and they also provide country sports enthusiasts with high quality sporting holidays through Sporting Lets.
We spoke to Jane Ritchie, director of marketing to find out more about the impact North Coast 500 has had on their business and what services they provide.
1. Hello Jane, can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your position at Galbraith?
I have been working in the field of marketing for over 25 years mainly in London and Oxfordshire and have been extremely lucky to have experienced several dynamic industries including international airlines, sports sponsorship and event management, travel and tourism and property development, which then brought me into the property industry leading my own sales team for an international property firm before relocating to Scotland and joining Galbraith as director of marketing, a post I have held for almost eight years now.
Developing robust marketing campaigns and building a strong brand that will withstand the test of time is paramount in the highly competitive property industry. I have been passionate about the firm’s corporate identity and was instrumental in its rebrand to Galbraith earlier this year. Social Media has become a vital tool in marketing and we have held the EAUK500 number one spot for our expertise and engagement for the last 3 years. A brand is vitally important in all sectors not least tourism and the NC500 brand has certainly been making its mark around the world.
2. What services can Galbraith offer to our NC500 visitors?
As Scotland’s leading independent property consultancy operating 11 offices across the country, Galbraith has a wealth of expertise across the broad spectrum of property related services from farm and estate sales and acquisitions, residential sales and lettings to commercial, rural and renewable energy sectors throughout Scotland and northern England. We also provide advice on farm, forestry, land and estate interests on over three million acres.
We pride ourselves in offering local knowledge, national expertise and enjoying international reach so are ideally placed to handle client enquires from both home and abroad. This can range from the purchase of a property with a view to creating a successful business tapping into the ever-expanding success of the NC500, or those thinking about relocating and keen to sample the region before they buy, via a long-term property let.
Some properties currently for sale via Galbraith on the NC500 route include:
Glendruidh House: an established owner-run private country house hotel attracting many repeat international bookings, located on the edge of Inverness and the ideal starting point for the NC500 route.
Isle of Ewe Smokehouse: an award-winning business offering the chance to combine family living and owning your very own small venture. Located in a beautiful loch-side setting on the NC500 route, the sale comprises a recently renovated three-bedroom cottage, purpose-built smokehouse, retail shop, preparation rooms, office and renovated stone bothy.
Golfers’ Rest: set within a private courtyard in the Royal Burgh of Dornoch on the Sutherland Coast this property is a great base from where to enjoy the NC500. Previously it has been run as a success year-round holiday let attracting tourists and golfers from all over the world.
3. And…can you tell us more about your subsidiary company Ossian, offering luxury concierge service to NC500 Visitors?
If you are looking for a truly exclusive adventure travelling the NC500 then our sister company, Ossian is the official luxury concierge service of the NC500. Ossian provides bespoke packages and itineraries for extraordinary experience with exclusive access to the very best of Scotland.
Whether it be a vintage car tour of the route with a different car for each leg of the tour, to a heli-fishing experience accessing remote estate lochs via a private helicopter, or a luxury golf itinerary taking in some of Scotland’s best and world-famous courses including Royal Dornoch, Ossian can arrange it all with access to many of Scotland’s leading private properties along NC500.
With exclusive access to the most remarkable locations, your trip could encompass stays in elaborate castles, traditional Highland sporting retreats, or private islands. Your holiday in Scotland is completely tailored to suit your individual needs.
Galbraith also provides rural sports enthusiasts with high quality sporting holidays through Sporting Lets with access to some of the finest shooting, fishing and stalking opportunities available.
4. Have you noticed an increase in people moving to the area after doing the NC500? And, in your opinion how has the NC500 impacted the local area?…..and Galbraith?
The NC500 route has reached a huge audience, with thousands of followers on social media, and gaining national and international press coverage, promoting the North Highlands as a truly outstanding tourism destination and raising awareness of the beauty of the north of Scotland. Anecdotally this has had an influence on the number of people wishing to relocate to Inverness-shire and the Highlands from other parts of Scotland and the UK, particularly the family lifestyle market.
Amongst our customers we have seen an increase from between 25% to 33% per quarter this year in terms of buyers relocating to Inverness-shire and the Highlands from other parts of the UK, with the quality of life on offer being the number one reason for relocating.
5. Are you aware of any businesses eg. farms, estates or properties that have diversified in order to tap into the benefits of the NC500?
We are aware of a number of property owners on or near the route starting to let out bedrooms on a nightly basis to take advantage of visitors looking for short stay accommodation, as well as a number of bothy and lodge renovation projects having been carried out to tap into the holiday lets market.
To further cater for the increased visitor numbers, local village shops have expanded their ranges to meet the needs of a new and growing market and now stock high-end artisan food and drinks produce and deli style catering for those keen to purchase food on the go. Yet another example of the positive impact the NC500 is having along the route.
6. And… What is the biggest change you have witnessed since the launch of the NC500?
The biggest change we have seen is the extension to the holiday period with many more foreign as well as domestic holiday makers now visiting the north of Scotland as people have become far more aware of what the north as well as the east coast has to offer.
7. As a new business partner, how do you think the NC500 business partnership will help your business?
The power of social media is immense and this year, Galbraith has again retained number one position in the EAUK500 where Estate Agent Networking ranks firms based on their social media expertise and influence. We have over 30,000 followers on social media across our network of offices and this figure is continuing to grow every quarter for Facebook and Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
We have witnessed a significant correlation between social media hits and property viewing requests particularly when we created tailored social media campaigns, so we are hoping that our new business partnership with NC500 will allow us to tap into a wider platform of potential customers and align ourselves with a mutually successful Scottish brand operating on an international level.
8. And….what do you hope for the future of the North Coast 500?
For it to go from strength to strength. Tourism is vitally important to this region of Scotland and the NC500 brand has been a fantastic marketing tool getting the Scottish Highlands on the global map and becoming an international tourist destination of choice.
9. And finally, we promise! How much of the NC500 have you travelled? Do you have a favourite place you have visited? What comes to your mind when you think of the North Coast 500?
On the A832 from Achnasheen to Gairloch, there is a view point looking down towards Kinlochewe and Loch Maree – it isn’t the most spectacular nor the most beautiful view on the route however, whenever I travel the route it never fails to move me.
The white sandy beaches, clear blue waters and coral beaches, combined with the stunning views along the NC500 route are second to none. The rugged wilderness and dramatic scenery against a spectacular mountain range backdrop is a must visit for anyone.
