End of era as Plockton Inn changes hands
A quarter of a century of ownership of the Plockton Inn has come to an end with news that the popular establishment has been taken over by a Highlands-based hotel company, writes Mark Entwistle.
Founded just a year ago, Highland Coast Hotels is investing in and developing independently-owned hotels in the region, and the 14-room Plockton Inn and its adjoining seafood restaurant now joins the four other hotels acquired by the group in 2021 – Kylesku Hotel, Newton Lodge at Unapool, the Royal Golf Hotel Dornoch and the Royal Marine Hotel Brora.
The Plockton Inn, run by Kenny and Mary Gollan and Susan Trowbridge for the last 25 years, will retain its name following the takeover and become part of the Highland Coast Hotels Collection.
It came up for sale towards the end of 2020 with the sellers seeking offers over £1,500,000.
As with its other hotels, the company will set up a community liaison group in Plockton to allow locals to give feedback on the group’s plans.
Anybody living within a 15-mile radius of the Plockton Inn will also be eligible for the new Highland Coast Hotels Community Card which provides a 30 per cent discount in its restaurants and bars, all year round, and a 50 per cent discount off an overnight stay at any hotel, from October to March inclusive.
Highland Coast Hotels says as it ‘evolves’ the guest experience at the Plockton Inn, suppliers and experience providers in the local area are invited to get in touch. The group also said it wants to offer opportunities for those companies to expand and develop, with the potential for new businesses to be created in and around Plockton which should help create further tourism and hospitality careers.
Highland Coast Hotels chairman, David Whiteford, explained: ‘We are absolutely delighted to be acquiring The Plockton Inn, one of the West Coast’s best-loved hotels.
‘It’s a daunting prospect to be picking up the baton from Kenny and Mary Gollan and Susan Trowbridge, who have nurtured and developed the hotel into such a landmark in this beautiful part of the world.
‘However, with a clear focus on working closely with the local communities around our properties, and investing back into the local economy, we very much hope we can add even further value to the hotel and the surrounding area.’
Mr Gollan commented: ‘After 25 years of ownership of the Plockton Inn, Mary, Susan and I are very sad to be handing over our wonderful hotel after all these years.
‘It has been a source of huge satisfaction and pride to us, and we will be forever grateful for the unstinting support we have received from the local community, and our many regular guests from further afield.
‘To you all, thank you. We have also been very mindful of ensuring that we only sell the hotel to a company that we believe shares our values, and will carry on the hard work we have personally invested over the years. We are delighted to be selling to Highland Coast Hotels.’