Plans lodged to turn country house into luxury hotel

PLANS have been lodged to turn an Appin country house, which went on sale in 2015 for £1m, into a high-end hotel with the creation of up to 30 new jobs.

Achara House by Duror could sport 13 luxury bedrooms, a helipad, spa, restaurant and lodges around the grounds if plans submitted by Niall McLean of civil engineers Georope in Ballachulish are approved by Highland Council. The applicant’s business case explains: ‘The re-development of Achara House into a high-end hotel represents a strong opportunity to bring a large revenue generating business to the local area with benefits from direct jobs for the hotel as well as indirect employment for local suppliers.

‘It is projected that on phase one of the hotel’s operation at least 12 full-time staff will be required, with that number raising to in excess of 30 when the later phases are operational.

‘The hotel will offer 13 large, luxurious rooms and will feature a bar, lounge and restaurant. The later phases of the development will include a spa, open to non-hotel guests. There will also be individual lodges/pods high above Achara overlooking Loch Linnhe and buildings throughout the grounds to cater for weddings and events.’

The hoteliers hope to capitalise on the Highlands' booming tourism: ‘As of 2017, there were 16,000 direct tourism jobs and approximately £300 million GVA (gross value added) to the economy in the Highland Council area. This is the highest GVA and employed numbers outside Glasgow and Edinburgh.

‘There were 600,000 overseas visitors to the Highland Council area in 2017 and 1.7 million hotel nights, giving 68 per cent occupancy, again the highest outside Glasgow and Edinburgh.

‘Demand for hotel beds regularly outstrips supply and at the high-end of the market there is an acute shortage at peak times. Achara House can be converted to hotel use at a size that is economically viable for its market position.’