Crerar Hotel Group is investing £500,000 plus in The Glencoe Inn to create the ultimate boutique hotel experience at the heart of the world-famous glen.
The significant spend will see bedrooms, food and drink offering and outdoor areas of the four-star highland property revamped in preparation for re-opening following lockdown.
All 15 bespoke bedrooms and bathrooms will be fully refurbished with luxury in mind including king-size beds, and baths that boast unrivalled views across Loch Leven and the Pap of Glencoe.
The outdoor ‘Hidden Garden’ spa will offer a thermal experience with hot tub and sauna, against one of Scotland’s most awe-inspiring backdrops, exclusively for guests.
Guests can continue to soak up the Glencoe Inn’s outstanding views from the new deck area, complete with relaxing lounge furniture and fire pits for the ultimate outdoor relaxation experience.
A brand-new bistro, with a menu featuring native grass-fed Scottish beef from the Crerar Home Farm and the finest Scottish seafood, will debut alongside the unique ‘Red Shed Pizzas’ – authentic, rustic pizzas made with hybrid yeast and sourdough based and served fresh from a brand-new outdoor wood-fired oven.
The Gathering, the hotel’s much-loved bar and grill will continue to serve Scottish steaks and burgers alongside its famous fish and chip suppers.
Chris Wayne-Wills, CEO of Crerar Hotels, said, “Investing in our hotels to offer guests the highest standards and best possible experience has been an absolute priority over the past few years and has continued despite the industry-wide impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This significant investment in The Glencoe Inn will create a small boutique hotel experience in the highlands that offers low key luxury, with the finest Scottish hospitality set against one of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
“Once the restrictions begin to lift, people will be eager to travel and explore and looking for ways to reconnect with family and friends, in a safe environment. When works are completed around mid-April, The Glencoe Inn will offer the ultimate getaway to enjoy all that Scotland has to offer.
“These major investments in Mull and Glencoe reaffirm our commitment both to the guest experience in these iconic locations and also the employee experience with Crerar Hotels. We are further committing to guarantee at least living wage earnings for all employees at these hotels alongside real career development and training for all of our colleagues.”
Paddy Crerar CBE, Chairman of Crerar Hotels, said: “The challenging circumstances over the past year have driven our appetite to breathe life back into the Scottish tourism and hospitality industries, and we aim to be ready to welcome guests as soon as we are able to open our doors.
“We have continued to invest in our offering and our refurbishment of The Glencoe Inn simply cements our commitment to making Scottish hospitality a real draw for tourists when they are able to travel again.
“Glencoe is Scotland’s most historic glen and undoubtedly one of the country’s most awe-inspiring and famous locations. Visitors can take in spectacular scenery, an abundance of Scottish wildlife and much more. Our investment will ensure that guests at The Glencoe Inn experience the full package – with an absolutely first-class service in outstanding surroundings that do justice to the world-class location the hotel occupies.”
Crerar Hotels’ investment in The Glencoe Inn comes just months after the group announced a project with over £3 million being sent to develop The Isle of Mull Hotel & Spa, bringing an upgraded 4-star hotel to the Island of Mull.
Helen Mason and her fiancé, photographer John Harris have bought the historic 19th century Scottish lighthouse keepers’ home – Corsewall Lighthouse.
The historic Corsewall Lighthouse, built in 1815 by the engineer Grandfather of renowned Treasure Island author Robert Louis Stevenson, is perched on the northern coast of the Rhinns of Galloway, near Stranraer.
The couple, who hail from Norfolk, saw the Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel on the market and decided to buy the place they’d fallen in love with when visiting eight years before.
They put £400,000 of their life savings towards the purchase of the property, which is connected to the main tower, and secured a £165,000 commercial mortgage from specialist finance group Together.
The couple have moved nearly 400 miles to live in the boutique hotel, which will start operating again when the UK hospitality sector re-opens after lockdown restrictions are lifted.
Helen, 60, a former Head of Music Service said, “We came up here and stayed in a friend’s bothy about eight years ago, saw the area and fell in love with it. We almost forgot about it but once Covid hit, we decided that the time was right for us to make a change.
“When we saw the hotel was for sale, we realised it could be the ideal opportunity. It’s perfect for John’s photography and builds on my love of working with people and interest in food and hospitality. After spending a week there in the summer we were sure this is what we wanted.”
Set in 20 acres on one of Scotland’s most spectacular stretches of coastline, the lighthouse has acted as the backdrop for TV and films – playing host to Hollywood actor Gerard Butler who filmed blockbuster The Vanishing there – and even has its own ruined Iron Age fort, Dunskirloch, on-site.
“It’s a hidden gem,” said John, 62, who was a project manager with BT before taking up photography professionally. “We’ve got some of the oldest rock formations in the UK, dating back to when Scotland was connected to Newfoundland in Canada, and the rocks are particular to the Scottish coast.
“There are four resident deer, seals, porpoises and a sea otter has been seen swimming around the lighthouse. It’s a photographer’s dream.”
After buying the lighthouse hotel through estate agent, Christie and Company, the couple have made a few changes; opening up some of the informal dining areas and removing some of the dated ornaments the previous owners had left behind. They have retained the five staff members who had been working at the hotel before its change of ownership and plan to employ more seasonal workers in the summer.
Andrew Downie, who has been at the hotel for the past 20 years will continue as head chef and will continue to work with local suppliers to focus on seasonal produce such as locally-reared Galloway beef, in preparation for its re-opening following lockdown.
The business has five self-contained holiday cottages on site, one of which is Helen and John’s home, with the rest available for rent. The hotel is also a licensed wedding venue and can accommodate small parties of up to 25 guests.
Helen said they had not been put off buying by reports of record numbers of Scottish hoteliers selling up as Covid continues to impact the hospitality industry. She said: “We have put a strong business plan in place and believe that, once restrictions ease, there will be more people looking for UK-based holidays and we have the perfect place for them to come and stay.”
John, a member of the Stranraer Coastguard, added: “People are looking for boutique hotels in slightly remote locations and, living in a post-Brexit Britain, I think people will not want to travel abroad as much as they have done, preferring to staycation in the UK and explore what’s on their doorsteps.”
The hotel owners initially found it difficult to get a commercial mortgage from mainstream banks, finding a reluctance to lend on a hospitality businesses in the current climate. They managed to secure the loan they needed from Together, which provides specialist finance across the mainland UK, after being introduced to the Manchester-based firm by Christie Finance, the estate agent’s in-house broker.
Steven Clark, regional development director for Scotland at Together, said: “The lighthouse hotel is a Grade A-listed building with a fascinating history in a beautiful, remote area of coastal Scotland.
“After hearing Helen and John’s plans for its future, we were delighted that we were able to provide the finance they needed, helping them follow their ambitions and complete their dream move.”
The hotel, which is set in 1,000 acres of countryside, has been closed since coronavirus lockdown restrictions were introduced at the end of March and will reopen with comprehensive safety measures in place to allow guests a comfortable and relaxing stay.
The resort’s two golf courses have been open since the 29th of May and whilst the tennis courts and children’s play park will reopen on 1 August, the Dalmahoy pool and indoor gym will remain closed until Government restrictions allow reopening.
The hotel’s general manager Alistair Kinchinat said, “There’s no doubt things will feel different from before. The challenge for hotel, restaurant and leisure operators is to still ensure our guests and visitors feel comfortable and get real enjoyment from the new normal.
“We’re opening and we’ll do everything we can to make it a success. However, it’s clear this crisis will forever change Scotland’s treasured hospitality industry. All we and others in our sector can do is give our best endeavours to ensure every guest remains welcomed and safe throughout their stay.”
Legal & General, on behalf of the L&G UK Property Fund, is planning to invest over £50 million to create a new Edinburgh hotel, including a Sky Bar, and ‘hub’ with shopping, dining, hospitality, leisure and events facilities. The hotel will have its own identity, ‘reflecting the energy, culture and history of Edinburgh’ and 109-112 Princes Street, currently occupied by Debenhams, is the site earmarked for the project.
The proposals will Pre-application consultation proposals are set to be submitted before the end of July, with an online public consultation taking place regarding the development. A planning application will follow the consultation.
Said Matt Jarvis, Senior Fund Manager at Legal & General, “With some of the best views anywhere, looking directly on to Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle, our aim is to create a space which all Edinburgh and Scottish residents can enjoy, whilst continuing to attract quality tourism to the city. For the L&G UK Property Fund, this represents a exceptional opportunity, in line with its strategy to diversify into more operational and alternative assets, and offering a platform to drive forward value for investors.”
Legal & General has invested in schemes across the UK, in cities such as Cardiff, Salford, Newcastle and Sunderland.
Fingal, Scotland’s floating hotel berthed at Port of Leith, has made Front-Of-House Manager Mari-Nel Scorer its very first Wellbeing Manager as it gears up to welcome guests back onboard from Wednesday 22nd July.
Mari-Nel will work with guests to tailor the level of service contact that they are comfortable with, and her and her crew will also personally escort guests to their cabin or dining table on arrival, providing advice on what the ship has to offer.
Said Mari-Nel, “We’ve introduced some small changes to help guests feel more at ease while eating out in public again. A choice of more intimate and flexible guest experiences are now available for small pre-booked groups, including private dining booths in our restaurant, exclusive use of The Bridge and our Skerryvore Suite with private deck and dining for couples. Whatever our guests request, we will go above and beyond to deliver.”
Head of Fingal, Andrew Thomson, added, “Fingal has gone from strength to strength since launching in January 2019 and we look forward to continuing that legacy as we welcome our guests back on board once again.
The former Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) tender was developed by the team at The Royal Yacht Britannia and opened following a £5 million transformation.
Manorview Hotels & Leisure have made a major commitment to become Living Wage Accredited, despite a hugely challenging period during Covid-19. The hotel chain has now started the application process and is aiming to become a real Living Wage accredited employer by 1st November 2020.
Achieving real Living Wage accreditation will mean the entire Manorview Group team of over 500, will be set to receive the real Living Wage as a minimum rate, irrespective of age.
David Tracey, Managing Director, Manorview Group said, “We feel compelled to back the team which has shown so much commitment and resilience in recent months. This is a new investment in our people and a commitment to them that we will pay the real Living Wage as a minimum. Our industry is going through its toughest period ever, it’s literally on its knees – this decision not only supports our people but demonstrates our confidence in the hospitality sector. We have faith that we can recover from this and come back stronger, particularly with the incredible team that we have behind us.”
When the accreditation application process has been completed and approved, the move will see all employees being uplifted to the real Living Wage rate of £9.30 per hour. The Group have estimated that this will come at a cost to them of approximately £300,000 – £350,000 per year.
Accreditation for the hotel chain will see them join over 1,800 organisations in Scotland who are real Living Wage accredited employers. With around 70 of those businesses in the hospitality sector, the Manorview Group will become one of the largest accredited hospitality employers in Scotland.
The Group, who temporarily ceased trading in March, are now planning for reopening. During the three months of closure, they have become inspired by their team, for their support, loyalty, and their response to a crisis.
The Manorview Group’s team have:
Cared for NHS workers
Raised £24,000 for sick children
Volunteered in their communities
Kept connected
Displayed a positive and infectious team spirit
Jack Evans, Manager of Living Wage Scotland said, “The hospitality industry in Scotland is vital and has been massively hit, the recovery will require bold action by employers. This is what we are seeing from The Manorview Group. With this investment they are putting their team at the heart of their response to the challenges brought by Covid-19”.
Meldrum House Country Hotel is a little oasis in the heart of Aberdeenshire. 240-acres to roam around in, hills to walk up, beaches to coast along. It’s an idyllic spot and one that is benefitting from its surroundings when people choose where to stay post-lockdown.
When we got the initial news of a potential reopening date of the 15th July, we already had the strategies in place with the opening offers we would want to have out in the public domain. This included one called The Great Escape which has proved extremely popular since launch. We’ve waived room charges for now, giving people the flexibility of where to dine and promoted it from £139 for 2 people including a dinner allowance and full Scottish breakfast.
On June 12th we went out on social media to tell people our plans to re-open on the July 15th. Our social media platforms are a strong tool for us and we got an amazing reaction. Within the first week, we had 177 bookings, of which 46% were for our Great Escape package. This proved there was an domestic appetite out there, despite the fact that for now, the 5-mile restriction remains.
Since then, we have launched our ‘Time To Shine’ video, showcasing to everyone the measures we are putting into place at the hotel but also that the personality we are famed for, hasn’t disappeared. Our staff are getting re-trained for the latest hygiene and sanitisation protocols and I don’t want them hiding behind mask coverings or wearing gloves unless necessary. We’ve installed sanitisation points, new signage and perspex screens at places like Reception and our Pro Shop to ensure people are welcomed to Meldrum House as they have always been.
We’ve also seen a lift in Staycation bookings. It’s proved to be our second most popular package where we did an offer to stay 3 nights for the price of 2. 25% of our overall bookings chose this package and shows that whilst people can’t go abroad this year, that may well take a UK holiday.
Naturally, we’re watching every move that the Scottish Government makes and then working with it as best as we can. As the the 5-mile rule is now getting lifted, we hope we will see a further surge in bookings. We are using digital marketing to push the message out there as well as PR to get coverage in the press about our plans and what we have lined up.
We’re the only hotel in Aberdeenshire to have an award-winning golf course that wraps around the manor house and expands out into the estate. The fact that it’s in Golf World’s top 100 Scottish golf courses helps us to promote it for residential stays. It’s a private members’ course which is open to the guests and we’ve lined up packages to promote it. One of the beauties of having the golf course is promoting mental health and wellbeing for people who want to get out and about and play a sport. We have had a small percentage that have booked our Golfer’s Getaway package but have also seen an increase in membership of our club.
We continue to work with Visit Aberdeenshire on pushing the north-east as a destination. We’ve got plenty to shout about. The area around the hotel is really stunning. We’ve got Bennachie on our doorstep and plenty of cycle tracks, walks, beaches and some of the most renowned links course in the world.
Next on the agenda will be our dining bookings. It was great to hear that the First Minister has announced that the 2 metre guidelines may move to 1 metre for the hospitality industry. We have seen a real appetite for lunch and dinner as well as Afternoon Teas. Helped by the fact we have 2 dining options, we have currently fused the two menus together, choosing the most popular dishes from both restaurants to get us up and running. This will also support the social distancing guidance within our kitchens. We have huge plans for something we are working on that will be unique for dining in the area. We’ll let Hotel Scotland be one of the first to know when we roll it out.
Our plan going forward is that we are working on a new website which will launch later in the year. That will form a major part of our marketing strategy. Not only to promote the hotel but to get direct bookings and track conversions.
Whilst this is all a moveable feast at the moment and goodness knows what will happen in the short term (thank goodness Christmas is still more than 5 months away) we feel confident that bookings will continue to grow. I think it will all be about consumer confidence, going above and beyond with our hygiene protocols but also ensuring that people still enjoy their time with us. Leave their worries at our gates and simply come to Meldrum for the hospitality we are famed for.
Bo & Birdy. That’s the name of The Blythswood Hotel’s re-opened £1M, 146-cover bar and restaurant after being closed for three months following the acquisition of the hotel by IHG.
Steering the ship is Scotland’s first female 5-star hotel exec head chef, Gillian Matthewsm (pictured).
GM Murray Thomson told DRAM, “Gillian has been an integral part of the team at The Blythswood Square Hotel for seven years, and we are delighted our new restaurant, Bo & Birdy will be launching with her at the helm.
“Gillian and the team have been working closely with suppliers when designing the menu, to ensure Bo & Birdy showcases the best tastes of Scotland, whilst supporting local produce.”
He continued, “As well as upgrading the restaurant, the kitchen has been modernised to reflect the new culinary direction and major changes front-of-house. It has been fun working with our suppliers on this part of the project.”
Derek Johnstone, Head Chef at Borthwick Castle in Midlothian, is the only Scottish chef to have reached the semi-finals of this year’s National Chef of the Year contest.
Derek, who joined Borthwick Castle in 2017 following the venue’s two-year restoration, secured his place in the semi-finals with a creative interpretation of the competition’s first task, a three-course summer menu.
The next
stage of the contest will see Derek travel to Sheffield to compete in the
semi-finals at Sheffield College on Tuesday 11 June.
Derek finished
in third place overall at last year’s National Chef of the Year competition,
also taking home the Exceptional Presentation Award.
Launched in 1972 and judged by a panel of more than 40 respected chefs from across the industry, previous winners of The National Chef of the Year competition include Gordon Ramsay, Alyn Williams and Mark Sargeant.
Derek Johnstone said, “I’m absolutely delighted to have secured a place in the National Chef of the Year competition. This is such a prestigious contest for chefs working throughout the UK, and I can’t wait to represent Scotland at the semi-finals next month.”
Derek
launched his career at a young age, winning the inaugural series of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2008
before going on to hone his skills working alongside Michel Roux Jr at Le
Gavroche and Albert Roux at Chez Roux.
Pubs in Stirlingshire may get a boost from an influx of Game of Thrones fans making pilgrimages to the area.
That’s becauseDoune Castle in Stirlingshire has been renamed ‘Winterfell’, the name of a castle from the series, to celebrate the Digital Download release of Game of Thrones: The Final Season.
There are four in all with new signs encouraging members of the public to find them. They are:
Highgarden – formerly known as Covent Garden, London
Castle Black-pool – formerly known as Blackpool
Essos – formerly known as Essex
Winterfell – formerly known as Doune Castle, Stirlingshire, Scotland
Gillian MacDonald, Head of Business Development and Enterprise at Historic Environment Scotland, said, “We are delighted to be involved with the Game of Thrones takeover. Doune Castle was featured as the location for Winterfell in the pilot episode so it’s fantastic to be chosen as the much-loved Westeros location now that the TV series is coming to an end.
“We hope fans of Game of Thrones across the country will visit Doune Castle and enjoy walking in the footsteps of Jon Snow and the Starks!”
The Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye has been sold by current owners Shirley and Eddie Spear after 34 years to hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray.
Scots-born Gray has returned to live in Scotland permanently to create a new Scottish hotel and restaurant collection, The Wee Hotel Company, The Wee Hotel Company, and aims to carry on business at The Three Chimneys as it has always been run, with the introduction of additional investment over time.
All jobs are secure and all current staff will remain in position, including head chef, Scott Davies.
Gordon Campbell Gray, Founder of Campbell Gray Hotels and The Wee Hotel Company said, “I cannot tell you how privileged I feel to have been given the opportunity to buy somewhere as iconic as The Three Chimneys. I have admired Shirley and Eddie for so many years, and when we were chatting on one occasion and Shirley hinted that perhaps they might consider selling, it was a magical moment.
“I am very flattered that they would allow me take over the reins of their amazing achievement and the simply outstanding team. For the past few years, I have wanted to come home to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve developed across my career. I have been lucky enough to live in and travel to many countries but, at the end of the day, Scotland is simply one of the most stunning countries in the world; the best!
Gordon Campbell Gray’s Wee Hotel Company plans to develop and invest in special properties around Scotland and will be looking for suitable opportunities. As well as The Three Chimneys, it also counts The Pierhouse Hotel and Seafood Restaurant at Port Appin in Argyll in its portfolio.
Gordon Campbell Gray added, “For several years I’ve wanted to come home to Scotland. The Wee Hotel Company is the result of this ambition and the start of an exciting new chapter in my life.”
Ayrshire-based restaurant and hotel operator Costley & Costley has returned to profit having reported a boost in turnover.
The family-owned company saw turnover rise 1.3% to £10,052,329 for the year ending 30 September 2018, compared with £9,926,436 the previous year.
It reported a pre-tax profit of £113,456, compared with a loss of £128,614 the year before.
Gross profit margin increased to 70.1% compared with 69.3% the previous year, according to accounts filed at Companies House.
In his report accompanying the accounts, director Bill Costley said, “The directors continue to focus on improving the quality and service associated with the Costley brand to further enhance the customer experience. The extensive programme of capital investment carried out throughout the group in 2016 and 2017 has generated improvements in both turnover and profit in 2018.
“The directors continue in their efforts to drive efficiencies within the business and a measure of this success is the improvement in the gross profit rate. The commitment of the directors to enhance the customer experience of the Costley brand continues this financial year.”
A further investment of £200,000 has been approved to develop the restaurant at the group’s five-star property, Lochgreen House Hotel. The programme of investment is ongoing with plans to develop the Lochgreen House Hotel banqueting
Women in the world of tourism, we want to hear from you. Do you run a hotel or tour company and go the extra mile to look after customers and staff?
Is accessibility and diversity an important part of your work ethos? Are you a front of house star or a venue manager who consistently delivers outstanding results?
Entries are now open for this year’s Women in Hospitality & Tourism Awards, organised by Business Women Scotland and sponsored by Criton.
The annual awards, now in their third year, recognise the number of women working in senior leadership roles across the visitor economy.
Emma Niven of Loch Leven’s Larder, a gift shop, deli and restaurant in Kinross, was winner of the Best Place for Women to Work award last year. She said, “This felt like a really special award to receive – we are lucky to have a team who are as passionate about what we do as I am. It’s been wonderful to help staff develop their skills over the past 12 years and we’re now entering an exciting period of expansion.”
Julie Lewis of The Adamson in St Andrews was winner of Bar of the Year award last year. She said, “I am passionate about women taking leading roles in the hospitality and tourism industry. Business Women Scotland is a showcase of talent and The Adamson is supported by a wonderful team who take great pride in the recognition of this award.”
All entries for the 2019 awards must be in by March 1 and the awards take place in a glittering ceremony on May 16 at the Waldorf Astoria, Edinburgh. The overall winner receives a scholarship provided by Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland.
The scholarship programme provides opportunities for anyone in the industry, at any age or stage in their career, and there is an annual bursary trip to Lausanne Hotel School attended by hospitality students from all over Scotland.
Said Lynne Kennedy MBE, founding director of Business Women Scotland, “Business Women Scotland is dedicated to helping women find support and networking opportunities to allow them to strengthen their business. We want to put the spotlight on women who have made an impact in their industry through innovation, best practice and delivering outstanding results,”
She continued, “With this in mind, we created additional categories this year to ensure all the unsung heroes get their chance to shine. New this year are Lecturer of the Year, Bar/Cafe/Restaurant of the Year, Event/Festival of the Year and Marketing/Social Media Star of the Year.”
Trump Turnberry is to create up to 100 jobs as part of the Ayrshire coastal resort’s growth plans for 2019.
Recruitment drives will take place on Wednesday, 13 March and Saturday, 16 March aimed at filling a range of positions, including chefs, spa therapists, receptionists, and food and beverage specialists.
Permanent, seasonal and casual roles are available across various levels and departments. As well as interviews and a hotel tour, candidates will watch kitchen and spa demonstrations and meet staff and managers to gain further insights.
Trump Turnberry general manager Ralph Porciani said, “The hotel has undergone significant changes and improvements in recent years and our business is growing as a result. Service is at the heart of everything we do here so continuing to develop and expand our team with the right people is vitally important.
“Our aim with our recruitment days is to show prospective staff what Turnberry is all about rather than relying on traditional interviews alone. The resort operates as a family so it’s important candidates get to experience our values and culture. The hotel is already a major employer in Ayrshire and the majority of staff live within 20 miles of the resort. Supporting the local community for more than 112 years is something we are incredibly proud of.” The resort currently employs more than 480 staff.”
The Edinburgh Grand has added a further art deco inspired bar and dining experience with the launch of Lady Libertine. Lady Libertine is the second venue operated by The Bon Vivant Group in The Edinburgh Grand and shares the building with its sibling The Register Club cocktail bar and the London-originated Hawksmoor steak restaurant. With contemporary black and white decor, flashes of chrome combined with traditional wood finishes, two bars, a coffee and wine lounge and brasserie, Lady Libertine is split across two floors with a capacity to seat 150. Occupying part of the basement of the building, which was once a bank headquarters, Lady Libertine also offers private dining in one of the original walk-in safes. Gavin MacLennan, General Manager of The Edinburgh Grand, which is operated by Lateral City Apartments, said, “We are redefining the hotel model with our offer of apartments alongside best in class food and drink operators, all within an amazing building. Working with The Bon Vivant Group is part of that vision and we’re delighted the company opened a second venue within The Edinburgh Grand, catering for guests and visitors who are looking for somewhere that’s different and beautiful.”
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