Arisaig House is the latest Scots closure

Arisaig House, in the Scottish Highlands, is closing in October.

The 12-bedroom country house hotel, near Mallaig, has been run by John and Ruth Smither since 1981. They have decided to retire but, rather than sell the business, intend to live in the house and let out some of the houses on the 20-acre estate, previously occupied by themselves and their children.

John Smither said: "I shall be 75 this year, my wife is 73, and we have decided that we had three options: retire, sell, or work until we drop. We thought the first option the best."

Several other country house hotels in Scotland have recently closed, including Auchterarder House. Smither said he was not sure if the trend was economic or coincidental.

"We are having our best season yet and the hotel is highly profitable. We came here for a quiet life and from the end of the season, we should get it," he said.