Team & Board
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
Alan Rawlinson, Business Development Manager
About me:
I’ve worked in the industry for over 30 years that has included time working for French & Italian tour operators, a MICE agency in the UK and the US and 20 years of global sports event management, hospitality and sponsorship, working with global corporations, rights holders, destinations, hotels and suppliers across multiple continents.
What I do:
My primary role is to market our destination for Business Events and to support the Travel Trade as needed
Date joined: December 2014
Likes:
Travelling, meeting up with friends, trying new restaurants and Tottenham Hotspur FC
Dislikes:
Bad drivers, rude people, fennel, Arsenal & Chelsea!
Hobbies:
Watching Tottenham, playing golf, trips in the motorhome and firing up the BBQ when the weather's ok.
Favourite local activity:
Early morning canoe trips in Glen Affric
Contact: alan@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
Sabine MacDonald, Administrator
What I do:
My primary role is Administrator, but I also look after B2B communication such as our weekly newsletter and Industry News Facebook page and LinkedIn page.
After graduating with a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from UHI/Napier University I worked for local tourism businesses and as a freelance German tour guide before joining Visit Inverness Loch Ness in 2014.
Date joined: July 2014
Likes:
Outdoor activities, good coffee and cake
Dislikes:
Bad weather that keeps me from cycling and walking!
Hobbies:
Cycling, walking and generally being outdoors, crochet and reading a good book
Favourite places in our destination:
Anywhere along the Loch Ness 360 route, Ness Islands and Cawdor woods and trails
Contact: admin@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
Visit Inverness Loch Ness Board Members
Jo De Sylva, Chair Visit Inverness Loch Ness, Bogbain Farm
Ina Davies, Vice Chair Visit Inverness Loch Ness, Courtyard By Marriott Inverness Airport
Caroline Gregory, Director, The Lovat
Jane Slaughter, Director, Pinewood Steading
Anna Low, Director, Foyers Lodge
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
Please find below the minutes of the board meetings held