Tigh Mor Italia

During my all-too-brief stay at this most spectacular of HPB locations, I watched her deal coolly and efficiently with an array of challenges – from temporary power outages to minor floods – with equal aplomb, ensuring Bondholders’ holidays remained undisturbed despite the best efforts of Mother Nature (not to mention, the outrageous demands of a visiting journalist and photographer).

Taking up the Tigh Mor ‘gauntlet’ – from highly experienced outgoing managers Mark and Lynn – was always going to be a challenge. But, by drawing on an array of skills and experience – developed throughout a most diverse career – Nikki has already introduced a range of initiatives to enhance Bondholders’ Highland holidays.

Of course, given her less than ‘typically-tartan’ surname, you’d be forgiven for assuming an Italian Night might figure highly among those new initiatives. But not a bit of it. This quintessential Scot was actually born in Fyfe.

Christened Nikki McKenzie, she is in fact half Scots, half Italian – the latter branch of the family originating to the north of the country.

Fluent in French and Italian (not to mention a stage school trained dancer), Nikki studied tourism and languages at Edinburgh University, before accepting the role of PA to the Marketing Director of the Edinburgh ICC (International Conference Centre) – a position that she enjoyed for a couple of years, before finally giving in to her real passion: travel.

Although, like most Scots, Nikki is a ‘home girl’ at heart, she has a real interest in experiencing new places cultures and languages. So it came as no surprise to her family when, in the late 90s, she made the bold decision to emigrate – to Switzerland, where she took up the administrative reins at a private holiday adventure camp for children.

It was here that she met – and later married – Pompeii-born restaurateur Ciro. It was, it seems, love at first bite. Nikki explains, “He made me a heart-shaped pizza and that was it!”

The couple returned to Fyfe in 2000, where – having given birth to their two children, Fabianna (now nine) and Cameron (eight) – Nikki registered as a childminder, whilst Ciro pursued his own business interests.

Seven years on, the couple finally realised their dream of running their own restaurant, moving to Callendar to open Ciro’s – a delightful Italian bistro.

Nikki says, “We chose Callendar simply because it had ‘the right feel’: it’s a lovely safe peaceful place, with a good school for the two children. It was only later, during a chance conversation with one of our new neighbours that I discovered my Grandmother originally came from the town.

“That’s quite a coincidence, when you realise we’re talking about a community of little more than 4,000 people.”

The move proved to be the right decision and – two years on – Ciro’s continues from strength to strength, attracting regular repeat diners both in and out of the holiday season. However, there was a price to pay.

The inevitable anti-social hours meant that Nikki was spending less and less time with the children. So, when she spotted HPB’s recruitment ad in the local paper, she was quick to apply.

She says, “Originally I worked at Tigh Mor part time, supporting Mark and Lynn. But when I was offered the full time manager’s position in April I jumped at the chance.

“I just love the variety of the role; there are so many different things to do. And it’s interesting how I’m employing all the skills I’ve used in my other jobs. One minute, I’m the bookkeeper; the next, I’m the quizmaster – I never know what I’ll be doing next.

“My Dad even ran a Spar shop, where I worked part time; and now I run my own little shop right here.”

Unsurprisingly much of Nikki’s time is given over to the management of the sizeable Trossachs team. But this, she says, is the least of her concerns.

”We have a great wee team here,” she says, “many of whom have been with HPB for ages; our head gardener ‘Weed’, for example, has been with HPB for over 17 years.”

More recent recruits include onsite beautician Donna, who is “already proving a great asset – offering a range of therapies to pamper visiting Bondholders”.

Nikki continues, “It’s interesting to see how the profiles of our holidaymakers change through the seasons – from retired couples to large family groups, sometimes spanning three generations.”

And, it seems, there’s plenty for those families to do – both onsite, and in the surrounding area – at all times of the year.

Nikki says, “We’re fortunate in that we have a great pool, tennis courts, and loads of space down by the loch where the children can enjoy football, tennis, badminton – and simply letting off steam.

“We also offer orientation teach-ins, as well as highland dancing lessons, a ceilidh and a quiz night.”

Most recently, Nikki has also commissioned a popular local fishing coach and ghillie, Morris Meikle, to provide free lessons, on Sunday evenings. She says, “The lessons are already attracting significant interest among Bondholders of all ages. In particular, it’s lovely to see the kids taking their first tentative steps towards what could become a lifelong hobby.

“This is just another of the things that make my job so satisfying.”