Highland hotel toasts new ownership following Barclays deal

Lesley Renton and Isabella Kilgannon have relocated to the Highlands to pursue their hospitality dream, taking the reins of the 12 bedroom hotel and putting refurbishment plans into action, thanks to a £342k commercial mortgage.

Initially concentrating on refreshing the décor, the new owners are keen to update the property, while retaining the character and historical features of the hotel which was established in 1899 and once used as a traditional hunting lodge.

The improvement programme also includes introducing a line-up of events and expanding the catering team to support the busy bar and dining room which can serve up to 70 covers in peak summer season.

“Running our own business is something we’ve wanted to do for some time” said Lesley Renton. “We’re excited about the future for the hotel and hope to capitalise on the local demand - there aren’t many restaurants and pubs in the area where you can experience good quality food and value for money.

“We are also fortunate that there is extensive land surrounding the property and are keen to explore how we can potentially use this space for additional accommodation and events.”

Stuart Brown, head of SME Scotland, Barclays, said: “At Barclays we’re passionate about helping Scotland’s businesses owners at every stage of their journey, and the Whitebridge Hotel is a strong operating concern. The hospitality and tourism industry in Scotland is thriving, especially in the Highlands, which is providing great potential for businesses to expand and develop.

“The business partners were introduced to relationship manager David Loughlin following a local recommendation and he has since provided support with the purchasing process as well as introducing the ambitious pair to additional Barclays services like the Smartbusiness Dashboard.”