HELLO and welcome to the AM Business Briefing, as commercial real estate specialists Colliers, along with Christie and Co as joint agents, have sold the Airds Hotel and Restaurant for an undisclosed sum.
The country hotel which was previously an 18th century ferry inn, was owned by Shaun and Jenny McKivragan who decided to sell to allow them to retire after 19 years of successfully operating the hotel, "creating the destination business so renowned today", Colliers said.
The hotel has been purchased by Benjamin Andrews, a Scottish national who has taken over the "highly desired establishment".
The Port Appin hotel is also described as a "highly successful business" and is said to be popular with tourists heading to enjoy the Highlands, Loch Linnhe, the Island of Lismore, the Inner Hebrides, and Glencoe Nature Reserve.
This location is said to be "an ideal romantic getaway and also appeals to nature lovers, providing an abundance of wildlife, outdoor pursuits, boat trips and endless views".
The fine dining restaurant is uses fresh local ingredients, and achievements include three AA Rosettes, a “continuous presence” in the Good Food guide for 43 years, a recommendation in the Michelin Guide in 2021, and has recently won the Scottish food award Best hotel restaurant (North).
Robert Smithson, associate director at Colliers said: “So far this year, we’ve sold over 60 hotels, many of which have been quality assets in coastal and country locations popular with tourists. The sale of the Airds again underlines the popularity of quality hotels in beautiful tourist locations.
“I am thrilled that the Airds has been sold to someone who will continue the legacy of the McKivragans and continue to offer the high levels of quality and service the hotel is famous for which brings customers back to the area year after year. I wish Benjamin the best of luck with his operation of the hotel.”
Oil firm eyes development off Aberdeen
The North Sea still offers significant opportunities for oil and gas firms although exploration drilling in the area plunged to record lows last year, the regulator has said.
The Oil and Gas Authority noted that only nine exploration and appraisal wells were drilled in the UK North Sea in 2020 compared with 29 in the preceding year.
Five new Scottish tech stars revealed
Early-stage companies from Edinburgh and Glasgow have been named as Scotland’s most promising young tech firms in the “Rising Stars” competition run by growth platform Tech Nation.
Edinburgh-based Kythera AI, Letting Cloud and Polydigi Tech, along with Gigged.AI and Know-it of Glasgow, join 50 other regional winners from across the UK as winners in the fourth round of the competition.
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