Leeds-based Caledonian Leisure purchases historical Scottish hotel

Following the acquisition, the hotel will be rebranded as The Caledonian Claymore Hotel.

Graham Rogers, managing director at Caledonian Leisure, said: “The completion of the Claymore Hotel firmly enhances Caledonian’s position as one of the fastest growing stories in the travel sector as our brands continue to go from strength to strength.

“The growth of our business and the response from our customers has been exceptional, and we look forward to this continued investment to deliver more excellent and diverse leisure products to our customers.”

The historic hotel was sold with support from Christie & Co regional brokers: Brian Sheldon, regional director of Scottish hospitality, as well as Gary Witham, director of hotels.

The present General Manager of the hotel, Gary Watson, and his entire team will join the Caledonian family as part of the takeover.

Mr Watson said: “I am delighted the team at Caledonian have taken over the hotel and we can deliver an investment plan for the hotel.

“I have worked with the team at Caledonian for many years and have welcomed thousands of customers over this time, many who have become friends of all the staff at the Claymore Hotel.”

In July of this year, Caledonian Travel posted an annual turnover of £40 million for its first full year of trading.

The firm also noted that it had seen a surge in coach trip bookings brought on by a boom in “staycations”.

The company initially launched in July of 2021.

The firm was acquired in 2020 by the senior management of Caledonian Travel and National Holidays after parent company Specialist Leisure Group collapsed.

The firm’s UKBreakaways brand specialises in hotel breaks. Caledonian Travel specialises in offering short breaks and holidays throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.