The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
HOSPITALITY
Owners of a Moray hotel are expanding their business.
The Archiestown Hotel, in the village it’s named after, has been acquired by the Shawfern Group which previously converted the nearby Dowans hotel in Aberlour.
Family-owned and operated, the business has begun an extensive “six-figure” renovation of the Archiestown funded by RBS, which is due to reopen in the second quarter of 2019.
The relaunch is expected to bring 30 jobs to the local community and is hoped will provide a boost for local tourism.
Led by Michael Murray, his wife Marie, and daughters Steph and Lauren, the Shawfern Group has ambitious plans for the venue, having grown the Dowans Hotel six-fold since taking the reins in 2012.
Mr Murray said: “Aberlour has long been a region rich in tourism.
“We want the Archiestown to add to the reasons people visit the area, by creating a unique experience and opportunity for guests to stay in a beautiful hotel set in an equally breath-taking landscape.
“Once renovations are complete at the Archiestown our intentions are for the two hotels combined to offer something for everyone, whether that be for a drink, meal or as a luxury base to explore the region, or, as a venue suitable to host weddings or corporate away days.”