The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Whispering Pine Lodge latest of three to launch
Hospitality: Black Sheep group reopens its third hotel after refurbishment
A new hotel group headed by an Indian entrepreneur has opened its third property in the Highlands.
The former Letterfinlay Lodge, at Spean Bridge, has undergone extensive refurbishment and has reopened its doors as the Whispering Pine Lodge.
The launch of the venture by Sanjay Narang’s Black Sheep Hotels follows the recent openings of the Cluanie Inn, at Glenmoriston, and Rokeby Manor, which was formerly known as Craigard Guest House, at Invergarry.
Whispering Pine Lodge,
“Each of these hotels has their own unique style, perfectly located to explore”
built in the 1880s as a hunting lodge, became a hotel in the mid-1900s.
Its renowned hospitality and location attracted a host of celebrities, including Hollywood’s Burt Lancaster, during the filming of Local Hero, and jazz musician Stéphane Grappelli.
The restored property has 25 en-suite bedrooms, a brasserie, bar and beauty salon. It also has a number of self-catering cottages.
The hotel includes a souvenir and gift shop and offers transport for guests to and from hiking locations. Black Sheep Hotels group is owned by Mumbai-based hospitality company, Mars Enterprise and Hospitality, headed by Mr Narang.
He purchased the property following a visit to the Highlands last year.
Mr Narang, who was disappointed by hospitality standards during his stay in the area, decided, along with sister Rachna, to invest in three properties as a result of his visit.
Around £3 million was invested in buying the properties with a further investment of £9m in refurbishing them.
Mr Narang said: “We are delighted to be opening the third of our Black Sheep Hotels at Whispering Pine Lodge, providing affordable luxury on the banks of stunning Loch Lochy.
“The opening marks our hat-trick of Highland hotels, following the opening of Rokeby Manor and Cluanie Inn earlier this year. We have brought together our considerable experience and expertise in the hospitality sector in order to ensure that each of these hotels their own unique style, perfectly located to explore the Highlands.”
Mr Narang also described recent speculation that he intends to create a new village, with cottages, a hotel and cobble-street market in the Highlands as “premature”. He added that he is currently carrying out consultation with local residents on the proposed development at Glengarry, near Invergarry.
Mr Narang said: “We are conscious of the media attention that has been focused on our proposal for the creation of a new village in the Highlands.
“It should be noted that this is highly premature, as we are still very much at a conceptual stage.
“The execution of any such development is dependent on a variety of factors, including first obtaining the necessary land.
“We have been discussing this with the local community and other relevant parties.
“It would be prudent to first obtain the land, submit our proposal to the relevant authorities and only thereafter have any meaningful discussion on the same.”