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  1. Summer nights in Scotland are some of the most beautiful. Catch a red sky at night sunset, and it'll blow your mind. Scotland is just one of the most beautiful places on the planet - 14 million people travel yearly to see the beauty. Some call it the land of myths, but we think it's the land of beauty. Keep reading to learn about summer nights in Scotland.

    Summer Nights in Scotland  Sunset in Balmaha, Scotland - Ramon Vloon, Unsplash License

    We'll talk about the summer mornings because we also love them, but the summer nights will steal your heart. Scotland is known for, well, being freezing, so you really can't beat a warm summer night. But how can you spend a traditional summer night in Scotland? We have a few ideas. And it's very culturally Scottish.

    You could try authentic ceilidh dance in a small village hall. The lively music and spirit are great, and it's not typically what tourists do. You can wander through a night market in Glasgow or Edinburgh - they're always good. Local artisans and culinary delights create a lively atmosphere.

    Dining al fresco at a coastal eatery is already incredible. Travel down the coast with luxury motorhome hire in Edinburgh (also a great experience), and you'll find an endless list of traditional pubs serving the best food. The seafood is some of the best. Search on TripAdvisor before you go for advice.

    Or you could stroll through the serene ruins of St Andrews Cathedral or Edinburgh Castle. There's an endless list of things for you to do.

    The Best Place to Catch a Sunset

    Of course, you need to catch a Scottish sunset. Summers in Scotland usually have a good 16 or more hours of sun each day, with the sun setting at about 9:20 pm in August. You're guaranteed to catch a good sunset (well, UK summer isn't reliable).

    The Isle of Skye is a great place to go - it's popular with locals and tourists. 
    The Loch Lomond reflective surface also makes a sunset look incredible. Rannoch Moor is massive. The open landscape is perfect for watching a dramatic sunset. Or you could take your motorhome (if you rent one), and take it to the remote Outer Hebrides. It's a great sunset experience.

    If you're more urban, the sunset from the Glasgow Necropolis is incredible.

    You'll be able to find tons of sunset experiences, even without trying. There's something about a Scottish sunset that's mesmerising, and so are the sunrises. More on that in the next section.

    The Best Places to Catch a Sunrise

    Sunrise can be just as beautiful as the sunset if you're watching it from the right place and can see it.

    In our opinion, the east coast offers gems like the beaches of St Andrews, where the sun rises over the North Sea. If you catch this on a clear day, it looks stunning.

    The summit of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest peak, is one of the best, but not everyone will find climbing to the highest peak of Ben Nevis in the morning. Well, you couldn't anyway. 

    You'd be doing a nighttime hike. It takes, on average, 7-8 hours to climb to the summit of Ben Nevis. You will get an incredible Highlands view, though.

    The hills of the Scottish Borders are also great - you can see for miles so you're almost guaranteed to see the sunrise. And they're not as tricky to get to as the summit of Ben Nevis.

    The Best Locations To Spend The Night

    Have we made you want to spend some summer nights in Scotland? Compared to some parts of the UK, it's not expensive at all.

    Scotland's clear summer nights are perfect for stargazing and catching the best sunsets. You won't regret even just spending a weekend there. Galloway Forest Park, known as Dark Sky Park, will give you some of the best stargazing experiences in Europe. If you want a tranquil retreat, the remote beaches of the Outer Hebrides are stunning.

    Look online for some of the top places to spend the night.

    Summer nights in Scotland are just the best - the natural beauty will blow your mind. Natural beauty is completely what Scotland is about. It doesn't matter where you stay or what you'll see - summer nights in Scotland will be some of the best. And because it spends half the year in the cold, everyone is making the most of it. The Scottish hospitality in the local pubs will make you feel welcome.

    Isle of Skye - Ray F Walton

     

     

     

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  2. The British Motor Museum, one of the Midlands leading venues for conferences and events, announces a partnership with carbon offsetting specialists Tree-V for a brand new sustainable offering for conference clients.

    Through this partnership, the British Motor Museum empowers its clients to make eco-conscious choices. Conference organisers now have the option to add a carbon offsetting package to reduce the environmental impact of their events, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future.

    Tom Worthington from Tree-V commented: “Tree-V are really pleased to be working with a venue as forward-thinking as the British Motor Museum. They've already taken many sustainability steps, and we're thrilled to be helping them tackle an element of their carbon footprint that is out of their control - how their visitors get to them. Working together, we'll tackle that footprint on their carpark by carbon offsetting conference delegates emissions through international forestry projects. The fact that Tree-V was launched to help the classic car world be greener means it's the icing on the cake to be working with such an important automotive institution.”

    To support this new initiative, the Museum has announced that all of the miles travelled by its conference sales and bookings team throughout 2024 and the 12.87 tonnes of carbon produced as a result have been offset. By offsetting the carbon footprint associated with the team's journeys, the Museum aims to lead by example for sustainable practices within the conference and events sector.

    Toby Batchelor, Head of Commerce at the British Motor Museum, commented: “Revenue generated from conference activity plays a key role in funding the charitable trust that runs the British Motor Museum, and we're always looking for innovative new solutions that meet the needs of our conference clients. Sustainability is an area of real focus in the conference industry, and the Museum has made huge strides forward over the last few years, reducing energy and water consumption and taking action to minimise waste, with zero waste going to landfill. 

    The opportunity to provide an optional carbon offsetting solution to clients seemed like a logical next step, especially given the Museum's geographically central location, just minutes away from the motorway network, and the fact that the vast majority of conference delegates arrive by car. In Tree-V, we have found a locally based partner and a team that shares the Museum's passion for automotive history. Their existing relationship with the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs and the simplicity of their offsetting solution made them the logical partner for the Museum.”

    For more information on sustainable practices at the British Motor Museum, please visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/sustainability. To enquire about the new carbon offsetting offering for conferences, please contact the Bookings team on 01926 895295 or [email protected].

     

  3. Inspired by popular TV series 'Race Across the World', Ben’s epic new fundraising challenge has raised over £100,000 so far for the automotive industry charity to support those struggling or in crisis. This fundraising total includes offline donations and Ben is now calling for final donations.

    Race Across Britain is raising vital funds for Ben to support people who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry and was proudly supported by LKQ Euro Car Parts. This fundraising activity is particularly crucial as Ben is supporting a record number of people due to the cost-of-living crisis.

    From 26th to 28th February, 27 teams of two from LKQ Euro Car Parts; Alliance Automotive Group; Group 1 Automotive; Vendi Limited; ClickMechanic Ltd; Automotion Events Ltd/Lawgistics; eStar Truck and Van Ltd; Hella Ltd; Messe Frankfurt UK Ltd; Compact Car Centre Ltd; Walsall Wood Tyre & Service; Autotech Recruit Ltd; Rhino Group and GSF Car Parts Ltd showed incredible determination, ingenuity and resolve to complete this challenging event. They travelled from the starting point, LKQ Academy in Tamworth, to six different checkpoints including some major landmarks, Angel of the North, Blackpool North Pier and The London Eye.

    Congratulations to the joint winners who finished first, from LKQ Euro Car Parts: ‘The Mavericks’, Tony Shearer and Andy Southby, and ‘Skint Sprint Squad’, Chris O’Rourke and Melanie Lowe.

    There were strict rules such as no smart phones, no planes and no plans so participants were tested to the max, covering around 1,300 miles using only public transport or by walking, running and cycling. They also had a strict budget to cover food, travel and accommodation and checkpoints were kept secret until just before they needed to leave so they couldn’t plan or pre-book.

    One team got an overnight bus from Blackpool to the London Eye and there were different tasks to complete including VR car spraying at LKQ Tamworth and finding Ben Bears hidden at LKQ Glasgow.

    Donate & register interest
    You can donate to show your support and register interest for potential future events.

    Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income said: “We’ve been blown away by the success of this event and it was frenetic, exciting, challenging and so much fun! Our participants did incredibly well to complete the challenge and huge congratulations to our two winning teams from LKQ Euro Car Parts who made it to the finish line first, you’re amazing!

    “The automotive industry loves some healthy competition, so this was a great way to get together and have fun while also supporting your dedicated industry charity. Fundraising events like this are particularly crucial during a time when Ben is supporting more people than ever due to the cost-of-living crisis.

    “Thanks so much to everyone who has taken part and donated to the challenge - we’re now calling for final donations. Donating to Race Across Britain will make a positive difference to people's lives and help those who are struggling, or in crisis, so please donate whatever you can."

    Kevan Wooden, Group Chief Executive Officer at LKQ UK and Ireland, said: “It’s been remarkable to see so many colleagues from across the industry come together like this. Both customers and competitors alike have had fun, but more importantly, raised crucial funds for the vital work Ben does. I couldn’t be prouder. See you next year!?”

    Whenever any member of our automotive family is struggling, or in crisis, we all rally to support.

     

    • Frank Stephenson Design has showcased its latest design concept project, FSD 59 at Geneva International Motor Show
    • The motorbike concept, FSD 59, is sculpted by airflow and has capability for real world application
    • The project further amplifies Frank Stephenson Design’s prowess in different new technology and mobility design, such as space tourism, eVTOL, supercomputers, supercars, and baby seats
    • For more details and information about Frank Stephenson Design, visit: https://www.frankstephenson.com/
    • For images, visit https://bit.ly/FSD59_Images

    Geneva, Switzerland. 27 February 2024 – Leading global design house Frank Stephenson Design has revealed its latest design concept, FSD 59, a futuristic motorbike that combines advanced technology, radical design elements, and unparalleled functionality.

    FSD 59 is a project motorbike that showcases the vision and creativity of Frank Stephenson Design, which has previously worked on projects such as space capsules, eVTOLs, supercomputers, supercars, watches, baby seats and more. The concept is on display at the Geneva International Motor Show this week, where it is expected to attract attention and admiration from the public and the industry.

    The design of FSD 59 is the result of a rigorous and creative process that involved experimenting with different architectures and technologies within the domain of electric and hydrogen propulsion bikes.

    The design team aimed to create a bike that could adapt to different riding styles and preferences, such as sportbikes, supersport cruisers, and high-end commuters. To achieve this, they incorporated elements of customisation and adaptability, such as adjustable handlebars, footpegs, and seats. The bike is light and agile, without being too aggressive or compromising on comfort and safety.

    FSD 59 is not just a concept, but a realistic prototype that has applications for the real world. It has the capability to feature an electric motor that delivers impressive performance and efficiency, as well as a pure aerodynamic design that minimises drag and maximises speed. The bike also boasts a modular battery monocoque platform, a dynamic windscreen angle adjustment, an AR-enabled HUD, and a monoblock fairing, among other innovative features.

    The bike has been designed to cater to the diverse needs and desires of the riders, whether they want to cruise along the valley roads or enjoy a weekend at the track.

    Frank Stephenson, Founder and Creative Director of Frank Stephenson Design said, "Our team has been working hard behind the scenes to present this to the world and we are very excited to share it. We look forward to announcing more news on this in the future."

    Frank Stephenson Design is a global leader in design, with a reputation for creating products that are not only beautiful, but also functional, innovative, and sustainable. With FSD 59, the design house has once again demonstrated its ability to push the boundaries of design and create a product that is truly exceptional and visionary.

     

     

     

     

     

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  4. An inclusive workplace welcomes and includes every employee. It ensures that employees feel accepted within the team they work in, across the wider organisation (as applicable) and supports them to thrive doing the work they perform.

    In addition, an inclusive workforce is an environment that respects and values the unique traits of all employees and means that each employee can bring their authentic self to work.

    Here are my top tips for developing an inclusive workplace:

    Start at the top!
    Like all workplace initiatives, engagement at a senior level is paramount. Senior leaders should understand and be able to define what being inclusive means and live by this day to day. Without this, developing an inclusive workplace just won’t happen.

    In addition to this, senior leaders need to give some of themselves to their workforce and be authentic, as this will help others do the same. This isn’t always easy when you feel you need to keep everything private so as not to blur professional boundaries, but you can still strike a balance. By bringing your whole self to work and sharing the things in life you place value on, you will better connect with your workforce and show others that it’s safe for them to do the same.

    Embed it into the organisation
    Embedding inclusion into any organisation starts by considering it your mission and vision and ensuring it features in your organisation’s values and ambitions. To truly embed any initiative into an organisation not only requires robust policies and procedures but also ensures that inclusion is considered at every touch point in the employee life cycle. This is from attraction, during the recruitment process through to onboarding, induction, performance management, employee engagement and even when someone leaves the organisation.

    Like all initiatives, it’s unlikely to stand the test of time without investment in awareness and engagement. This is why embedding training and development specifically to maintain an inclusive culture should be a continuous focus from induction and throughout an employee’s length of service.

    Embrace diversity
    Inclusivity is often considered to be the next step in supporting a diverse workforce so creating and embracing a diverse workforce is a great starting point for any organisation. Given that diversity is the collective mix of employee differences and similarities which, outside of any protected characteristics, even includes individual characteristics, values, beliefs, experience, backgrounds, preferences, and behaviours. On this basis, no matter where an organisation’s starting point is, every organisation has diversity in their workforce now. Understanding your workforce and getting to know your people is key to opening up an inclusive culture.

    Think ‘employee experience’
    Traditionally, organisations talk about employee engagement, referring to the strength of mental and emotional connection that employees feel towards the work they do, their teams and their organisation. Having a stronger focus on employee experience will not only enhance employee engagement but it also fosters a sense of belonging and community. This requires an organisation, its leaders, and managers to really think about the physical and psychological environment people work in. This includes the facilities and signage provided and used on-site; the way communication is managed and shared; language being adopted by everyone; celebrating a range of diverse events; awareness campaigns and dates in the calendar.

    The employee experience also includes encouraging openness; welcoming and pro-actively seeking people’s thoughts, feedback and ideas; helping them build personal skills or introducing the right forums for those who may not be able to do this, to really enable a contribution by all. Ultimately, if everyone working for an organisation is more mindful of the employee experience it will enhance what it feels like to work there. The employee experience is everyone’s responsibility, not just senior leaders or managers.

    Keep inclusion moving
    Inclusion can’t be static; it needs to keep moving, evolve and continually develop over time. An organisation needs to stay closely connected to its workforce to ensure it continues to move with it. It’s key to make inclusion an intentional habit for everyone, meaning that employees are reminded of this on a frequent basis and it becomes part of the organisation’s DNA. Finding the best way to quantify and measure inclusion as an organisation is also a critical success factor.

    To find out more about how Ben can support your organisation and the health and wellbeing of your employees, contact Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben: [email protected]