Highland Coast Hotels, created in 2021, has appointed Kenny McMillan as its first Managing Director. He joins at an exciting time for the business as 2025 marks the tenth anniversary of the NC500, which is home to the group’s seven properties, including Lochardil House in Inverness, Royal Golf Hotel in Dornoch, Royal Marine Hotel in Brora, Tongue Hotel, Newton Lodge and Kylesku Hotel.
Kenny, a former Ambassador for the Highland Tourism CIC, Board member for the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards, and Visit Inverness and Loch Ness, joins the business with over 37 years’ experience in tourism and hospitality.
He has held a number of high profile roles including managing director of Macdonald Aviemore Resorts and general manager of Macdonald Drumossie Hotel. Under his leadership, the Drumossie Hotel won Employer of the Year in the 2023 Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards and in 2024, Kenny was shortlisted for Leader of the Year in the Highland Business Awards.
Kenny has also held several head chef roles throughout Macdonald Hotels before being appointed group executive chef for the entire group. During that time, he was named Executive Chef of the Year in the 2015 Scottish Hotel Awards.
Commenting on his appointment as Highland Coast Hotels’ first managing director, Kenny McMillan, said, “I’m really excited to be joining a team who are so dedicated to delivering world-class guest itinerary experiences across Highland Coast Hotels’ collection of seven landmark hotels on the NC500, including Inverness as the hub of this iconic route.
“2025 is a significant milestone for this world-famous route as it marks its tenth anniversary. This occasion presents an ideal opportunity for us at Highland Coast Hotels to drive growth and help boost the local visitor economy, whilst continuing in our focus on generating a sustainable and community-led business.”
Highland Coast Hotels also owns and operates Plockton Inn, in Wester Ross and Kenny added, “Highland Coast Hotels is committed to providing year-round employment opportunities and community-led hospitality in Plockton. As well as growing the local tourism economy, we hope to create lasting professional careers in hospitality that will benefit the whole community.”
Highland Coast Hotels’ CEO Guy Crawford will now step back from his current accountabilities and focus as a non-executive board director in supporting Kenny and the company to deliver a sustainable business in the region. The group’s focus remains on delivery on its values of Guests, Communities, Environment and People.
Guy Crawford, outgoing CEO of Highland Coast Hotels, said, “We’re delighted to welcome Kenny as our first managing director at Highland Coast Hotels. He is a well-respected and experienced industry leader, who knows the North Highland tourism and hospitality sector and help us build on the strong growth in revenue over these last years
“We ’are committed to making a positive contribution to tourism, local community life and the vitally important North Highland economy.”