Home   News   Article

'Absolute superstars': Red Lion Tavern goes above and beyond amid Storm Arwen chaos


By Ewan Malcolm

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

THE Red Lion Tavern in Fochabers helped people trapped by Storm Arwen over the weekend by providing accommodation and the use of their facilities free of charge.

From left; Melissa Cliff, Mabel Sinclair, Daniel Wall and Denise Morrison. The Red Lion Tavern in Fochabers opened up their rooms for free for people trapped by Storm Arwen and helped locals without electricity. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
From left; Melissa Cliff, Mabel Sinclair, Daniel Wall and Denise Morrison. The Red Lion Tavern in Fochabers opened up their rooms for free for people trapped by Storm Arwen and helped locals without electricity. Picture: Daniel Forsyth.

Roads going out of Fochabers, including the A98, were blocked by fallen trees leaving some people trapped and others without power as the adverse weather took its toll.

Manager Denise Morrison and staff members Melissa Cliff and Daniel Wall provided support to people in need and devoted their own time to serve a hot breakfast for free at sister business The Gordon Arms.

Callum Russell, Operations Director for the business, praised his staff for their work over the weekend.

"They were absolute superstars," Mr Russell said.

"On the Friday night we stayed open for a little bit later and we ended up having four or five of our rooms taken free of charge.

"We wanted to do as much as we possibly could to help people who were desperate and in need and to just give back to the community that has helped us so much over the pandemic and everything."

More rooms were filled over the weekend and the business also kept their doors open for locals who were without power.

"One of the guys who got trapped on his way to Aberdeen actually cried with joy when we told him the room was on the house the following morning," Mr Russell said.

"That was just one of those feel good moments and we were delighted that we were able to do something to help him."

Another beneficiary of the local pub's generosity was Elaine Walker. Ms Walker, who lives between Mosstodloch and Garmouth, was left without power at around 6pm on Friday.

Ms Walker said: "We tried to stick it out but we ended up contacting the Red Lion to ask if myself and my family could come over for breakfast.

"While eating, Denise gave us the keys to two rooms to use until our power came back on which ended up being Sunday.

"We cannot thank all the staff enough for letting us stay for free. The Gordon Arms also supplied us with a lovely breakfast for free on Sunday morning. The local help has just been amazing."

Mr Russell added: "We weren't looking for gratitude. It was about helping people in need.

"It's just a case of if people are in need it doesn't hurt to ask us and we will do our best to help. We're not just in this to make money."


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More