Colonsay operators buy Crianlarich hotel

The three-star Highland hotel in the Perthshire village of Crianlarich now belongs to the Byrne family which ran the only hotel on the Argyll island of Colonsay for 20 years.

The hotel, which will revert to its original name of the Crianlarich hotel when it reopens next March, becomes the largest independent hotel in the Loch Lomond The Trossachs National Park.

The new owners intend to expand the business beyond the coaching market. The Highland hotel has a prime position midway along the West Highland Way on a junction of key railway and highway routes.

Occupying a triangular corner site, the hotel offers 36 en-suite bedrooms to sleep 64 guests, several lounges, a lounge bar, a 70-seat restaurant, and an entertainment lounge for 70-plus guests with banquette seating, an open fireplace and a dance floor.

There is also a private, two-bedroom suite on the ground floor and a separate staff house 100 metres from the hotel with four bedrooms and a bathroom. Parking is available for up to 30 cars.

The hotel achieved an anticipated net turnover of £275,000 in the 34 weeks to late October 2008.

The Glasgow office of Colliers Robert Barry sold the freehold off an asking price in excess of £950,000 on behalf of holiday and coach tour operator Highland Heritage, which has owned the hotel for nearly 30 years.

By Angela Frewin