Property

New kings of castle

Davetts Hotels, a new hotel company backed by overseas investors, has bought its first property. The 700-year-old Dalhousie Castle, near Edinburgh, was bought from receivers for an undisclosed sum. A £250,000 refurbishment project is underway.

The father-and-son team behind Davetts, Neville and Rick Petts, will promote the 25-bedroom property through the Grand Heritage Hotels marketing consortium.

Rick Petts' background is business and finance, while Neville was sales, marketing and development director for Essex-based Crown Catering Group.

Picture perfect

Horseley Hall, Stanhope, County Durham, has been snapped up by photographers Bill Didcock and Rachael Arrowsmith-Brown.

The seven-bedroom country house hotel will offer residential courses in photography following the conversion of the overspill restaurant into a darkroom. The freehold was on the market through Robert Barry & Co with a guide price of £195,000.

Holiday house

HF Holidays has bought Abingworth Hall Hotel, West Sussex - its 19th property. The 23-bedroom hotel was acquired for an undisclosed price. Like HF's other country houses, it will be a year-round base for walking and special-interest holidays.