Dunblane brings press to Stakis

Staff at the Stakis Dunblane were last week coping with an invasion by the world's press at the same time as dealing with their grief over the massacre of 16 young schoolchildren in one of the city's primary schools.

The hotel, which is the largest in Dunblane, was quickly made the main media centre for journalists reporting on the tragedy.

Although no staff member at the hotel lost a child in the attack, a number have children who attend the school or have friends who have been directly affected, resident manager Jerry Foster told Caterer.

"Nobody has really had time to think about what has happened. I don't think it has sunk in yet," he added.

Stakis chief executive David Michels said the company was doing what it could to support the local community, with area director Mike McCartan heading the activities. "We are being as helpful as we can from within the community," said Mr Michels.

Cromlix House hotel in Kinbuck was also thrust into the centre of the tragedy last week. Owner David Assenti said a rush of bookings from press and television representatives alerted staff to what had happened and a housemaid faced the initial anguish of not knowing whether her own child was involved.

Ian Oliver, general manager at the Royal Hotel in Bridge of Allan, which is being used as a base by US television network CBS, also said some of his staff had relatives at the school and were consequently very distressed.