This year’s Inverness Chamber of Commerce Charity Christmas Lunch brought together 65 attendees for a memorable afternoon at Lochardil House, combining festive cheer, relaxed networking, and the opportunity to support the life-changing work of Àban Outdoor. The lunch highlighted the vital work Àban delivers across the Highlands, using outdoor adventure to help young people gain confidence and develop life skills, particularly for those who might not otherwise have access to the outdoors and its benefits.
Guests were welcomed with Christmas songs from Holly and Isobelle, who will also be entertaining guests at Lochardil’s festive parties and on their Elf Walk over the coming weeks. They enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by a raffle draw, and we are immensely grateful to all the organisations that sponsored prizes. Thanks to their generosity and the enthusiasm of everyone who took part, a fantastic £780 was raised for Àban Outdoor.
A highlight of the afternoon was an engaging armchair conversation with Clea Warner, Regional Director for the National Trust for Scotland, interviewed by our CEO, Colin Marr.
Born in London and raised in Northern Ireland and Yorkshire, Clea began her career in outdoor pursuits before a series of “say yes to the opportunity” moments led her into heritage management. She went on to English Heritage, overseeing sites from castles and abbeys to a nuclear bunker and even a pub, before leading operations at Stonehenge, where peak months can see up to ten thousand visitors per day, requiring careful planning, logistics, and visitor management. Now eight years with the National Trust for Scotland, Clea oversees one of the most diverse portfolios in the country, including nineteen islands, six National Nature Reserves, landmark sites such as Culloden, Glencoe, Glenfinnan, and the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site, St Kilda, prompting her to smile and say she “has the best drive to work in the world.”
Clea reflected on her non-traditional career path, shaped by hands-on experience, curiosity, and the confidence to embrace opportunity. Her leadership style emphasises communication, inclusion, and respect, particularly for the volunteers central to the Trust’s work. She also spoke about being a fair employer and the ongoing challenge of securing staff accommodation in the Highlands. Visitor and volunteer numbers have risen since the pandemic, though changing expectations mean the Trust has had to develop new ways of engaging people. She also discussed the realities of managing vast and varied responsibilities, from beaver populations to community councils, and the importance of collaborating closely with local communities, particularly at Glenfinnan, to manage visitor impact.
Outside the Trust, Clea serves as Vice Chair of Albyn Housing Society, supporting vital housing initiatives across the Highlands, an initiative close to her heart. Above all, she emphasised helping visitors truly understand the places they explore, ensuring they take away not just memories but meaningful stories.
The audience response to the afternoon was overwhelmingly positive. Guests enjoyed the warm, sociable atmosphere, finding the event both fun and informative, and praised the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and hear from an inspiring leader.
A huge thank you to Clea Warner for a fascinating conversation, to Àban Outdoor for their vital work in our community, and to everyone who joined us for a warm and festive afternoon in support of a brilliant cause.