Family sells landmark hotel in popular Scottish town
The sale of the Dreadnought Hotel in Callander, Stirlingshire, to Caledonian Travel was handled by Christie & Co.
The hotel has 63 ensuite letting rooms, the MacNab restaurant and bar, a small events room and a beer garden.
The previous owners bought the property in 2017 and were selling due to retirement.
Tony Spence, associate director at Christie & Co, said: 'We were delighted to act for our clients in the sale of the hotel which now allows them to retire from the hospitality trade.
'This was the second hotel where Christie & Co has acted for the family and we are grateful they had trust in us to deliver. There remains good activity within the market and we would urge any vendors who are considering a sale or purchase to get in touch to discuss further.'
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Caledonian Leisure, which operates under the Caledonian Travel and UKBreakaways brands, in partnership with its investors, hailed completion of the purchase.
The hotel is to be rebranded The Caledonian Thistle Hotel, a name chosen to reflect its 'proud Scottish heritage and the company's ambition to further establish a presence in key Scottish tourism hotspots'.
Graham Rogers, managing director at Caledonian Leisure, said: 'After the success of The Caledonian Hotel Collection in Torquay, Blackpool, Scarborough and Arrochar, we're delighted to welcome another hotel to our family. With sector-leading customer review scores and rising demand across our brands, this investment is a key step in strengthening our year-round offering in Scotland.'
A 'significant investment' programme is now under way to enhance both the interior and exterior of the property. The hotel will be ready to welcome guests from the end of July, operating 12 months of the year to meet demand from both coach-inclusive and self-drive customers. The refurbishment will deliver upgraded bedrooms, refreshed communal areas and improvements to the entertainment facilities.
David McDonald, finance director at Caledonian Leisure, said: 'Callander is a wonderful base for customers looking to explore with so many outstanding and beautiful areas within easy reach of this delightful Scottish town. The locally renowned MacNab's Bar will remain open for everyone, and in a nod to the traditions of the hotel, we'll be renaming the restaurant The Dreadnought Restaurant.'
Mr McDonald added: 'Right now, we're actively recruiting local people to deliver exceptional hospitality as we prepare to reopen the hotel this summer after this extensive refurbishment project.'
The agent said that 'the property boasts exceptional character throughout, complimenting a traditional Highland interior and stone exterior that can be dated back to the seventeenth century'.
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