Highland Coast Hotels has added its eighth property to its portfolio and its first in Inverness with the purchase of the 28-room, 4-star, Lochardil House on Stratherrick Road in the Highland capital. Robert Ratcliffe from the Highland Coast Hotels’ Dornoch property, The Royal Golf, has been appointed as the new general manager of Lochardil House.
The acquisition continues the investment in the Highlands by the group and brings with it the creation of over 40 hospitality jobs.
Highland Coast have also announced that the restaurant and bar will be open to residents and the local community for lunch and dinner seven days a week, bringing a new offering to the area, with a focus on local and seasonal menus, and delivering on the promise to create local community hubs.
Guy Crawford, CEO of Highland Coast Hotels, said, “This is a really exciting milestone for Highland Coast Hotels. Lochardil House is our first hotel in Inverness and is also part of our ongoing investment and commitment to community-led hospitality in the north Highlands.
“We carefully selected this traditional and imposing Highland house to complement our existing hotel collection. It offers exactly the right kind of special charm, authenticity and proximity to the city centre that we were looking for. It’s also conveniently located at the gateway to the north Highlands and the starting point for the world-famous North Coast 500.
“We look forward to welcoming overnight guests to Lochardil House Hotel, as well as establishing the venue as a local community hub with a warm welcome for everyone to enjoy great food, drink and hospitality.”
Mr Crawford, added, “Our latest investment in Inverness is testament to our confidence in the potential of the Highland tourism and hospitality industry, which has faced a number of unprecedented economic challenges over the last few years. As well as helping to grow the city’s tourism economy, we also hope to create lasting careers in hospitality that will benefit the wider local community.”
Picture credit: Paul Campbell