New Mar Hall owners aim to create resort 'to rival Gleneagles'

A luxury Scottish hotel has been saved from collapse by a Dubai-based firm which hopes to turn it into a resort to rival Gleneagles.

Mar Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort in Bishopton fell into administration in September and was put up for sale.

The property is located within the 240-acre Earl of Mar Estate and features 52 guest bedrooms, an 18-hole championship golf course, and a spa.

Mar Hall dates to 1826 and fell into disrepair over the 20th century, before relaunching as a hotel in 2004 after a £15m restoration. It has since hosted celebrity guests such as Beyonce, Harry Styles, Brad Pitt, and Ed Sheeran.

Now it has been bought out of administration by Dutco Group with the support of investment and asset management firm, Align Partners.

In a press announcement, the new owners said £15m had been committed to expand and upgrade the property, with the ambition to create a hotel to "rival world-class resorts such as Cameron House and Gleneagles".

Plans include the creation of new luxury woodland lodges, revamped spa and leisure facilities, and a refurbishment of the guestrooms and public spaces.

Business will continue as normal under the new ownership, and all pre-existing bookings will be retained.

"Mar Hall has strong fundamentals which made this hotel a solid proposition for us," said Chris King, managing director at Align Partners.

"In addition to its physical assets, its striking setting, coupled with its previous reputation for excellence, position it well for redevelopment. Our vision is to ensure it reaches its full potential and can compete with Scotland's best five-star hotels, restoring its luxury country club reputation."

Dutco owns a range of businesses across industries including oil and gas, manufacturing, and construction.

The group owns and operates several luxury hotels in Dubai, including the JA Hatta Fort Hotel and the JA Beach Hotel.

It also owns the JA Enchanted Island Resort in the Seychelles and the JA Manafaru resort in the Maldives.

Nelson Gibb, group chief executive officer at Dutco Group, said "This is our first hotel acquisition in Scotland which is recognised as a world-class destination for hospitality. This deal is testament to our confidence in Mar Hall and what we believe we can achieve through targeted and creative investment."

The joint administrators at EY were advised by Savills and Addleshaw Goddard LLP. Mar Hall Hospitality Ltd (a Dutco Group company) was advised by Pinsent Masons.