By Kristy Dorsey

An upmarket island hotel overlooking the historic Highland Park distillery has doubled its capacity in a move that is expected to create new jobs in the local area.

The family-run Lynnfield Hotel in Orkney has completed a 10-room extension following a £400,000 funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland. The investment will ensure that the hotel is prepared for the upcoming staycation season as travel restrictions lift, creating up to five new jobs with additional reception, cleaning and service staff required to support increased guest numbers.

Purchased in 2006 by Malcolm Stout and his partner Lorna Reid, who previously ran the Cleaton House Hotel in Westray, the extension of the Lynnfield on the outskirts of Kirkwall was completed during its closure in line with local lockdown restrictions. Its highly-regarded restaurant – which focuses on dishes crafted with local produce, including seaweed-fed mutton – allowed the business to continue operating throughout 2020 and to retain all staff.

“Despite a challenging year, it is great to finally welcome guests back to the hotel, and to reveal our new rooms to the world," Mr Stout said. "Thanks to the support from Royal Bank of Scotland, we were able to complete the majority of building work during the hotel’s downtime, working with talented local contractors.”