Lands of Loyal Hotel, Alyth, Perthshire

Luxury Perthshire hotel under new ownership and new hotel group created

The Lands of Loyal a luxury four star Perthshire hotel has been bought by David and Verity Webster. The purchase of this exquisite property means that the couple now own and operate three independently owned country house hotels across Scotland, which they will consolidate under the name Webster Hotels.

The Websters bought their first property Castleton House Hotel in Eassie – just six miles away from historic Glamis Castle in 2000 followed in 2006 by Raemoir House Hotel at Banchory on Royal Deeside.

Commented on their recent acquisition, the couple advised that that they had long admired the Lands of Loyal, which is just a 15 minute drive away from their company base at Castleton and they are delighted to have secured ownership of the property for a undisclosed six figure sum.

Located at Alyth, near Blairgowrie the Lands of Loyal is an early 19th century Historic Scotland listed mansion house built in the 1830’s by Sir William Ogilvie on his triumphant return from the Battle of Waterloo, for his family, on their extensive Airlie Estates.

Built in an elevated position on the four acres of the south slope of what is known as Loyal Hill, this magnificent red sandstone property is surrounded by extensive mature gardens and benefits from beautiful southerly views over the Vale of Strathmore to the Sidlaw Hills beyond.

The house became a hotel in 1945 and still retains many of its original features – from its neo-Tudor porch to oak panelled great hall with its vaulted ceiling, central cupola, grand open fireplace and sweeping winged staircase, modelled on the interior of the famous steam ship – The Mauritania. Some of the hotel’s fixtures and fittings are also believed to have come from the ship herself.

Other facilities include 17 spacious luxury bedrooms (one of which is a stately four poster room) complete with several pieces of original furniture and antiquities. The rooms also include recently refurbished bathrooms and state of the art flat screen televisions, restaurant, three interlinking light and airy dining rooms with stunning views over the Strath and lounge bar.

The hotels key areas of business are it’s a la carte restaurant, weddings and short breaks markets and the new owners are keen to build upon this and keep the existing character of the hotel, which is well respected and established in the nearby locality and across Scotland.

Lands of Loyal Hotel, Alyth, Perthshire, PH11 8JQ, Tel 01828 633151, www.landsofloyal.com

Castleton House Hotel is a 3AA red star country house hotel in glorious Tayside, with a well earned reputation as one of the best places in Scotland for food ambience and service. Head chef Matt Dobson serves award winning cuisine and the restaurant was awarded an EatScotland Gold award in 2007, grouping Castleton amongst Scotland’s elite restaurants, and currently holds the highest grading awarded to an Angus hotel. There are six beautiful spacious bedrooms, each individually decorated to the highest standard, with the very latest fabrics and furnishings. www.castletonglamis.co.uk / Tel 01307 840340

Raemoir House Hotel is one of the most beautiful country house hotel and working estates in the Highlands. Dating back to the 16th Century, this magnificent stately house is situated in 3,500 acres of parkland and forest. A popular conference and wedding venue the hotel has 20 bedrooms and is only 30 minutes drive from Aberdeen. The hotel also has its own private helipad and recently hosted an event attended by the Prime Minister and Secretary for Trade.
www.raemoir.com

David and Verity Webster

Prior to owning and operating Castleton House Hotel David had an illustrious career in management at some of the most prestigious hotels in Britain; whilst Verity came to hotel management by a less direct route from nursing and interior design.

David’s 20 year career in the catering industry has included spells working at some of the most prestigious hotels in London and Scotland. From serving Royalty to working with the doyen of boutique hotel style Anouska Hempel. Roles have included 1990’s – Consultant to Royal Scotsman luxury train, General Manager of Roxburgh Hotel and Golf in Kelso (part of the luxury estate in the Scottish Borders owned by The Duke and Duchess of Roxburgh), Manager at Blakes Hotel London, Deputy Manager at Westin Turnberry hotel and golf course, and at the outset of his career in the 1980’s various roles over a four year period at Claridges as part of the Savoy Management training programme culminating in the role of House Manager at aged 27 years, he was highlighted as one of the top 30, under 30’s and received and Acorn Award.

Verity began her career in nursing. She specialised in palliative oncology and coronary care. Verity’s talents lie in her attention to detail, flair for interior design and creativity. Verity first developed her passion for gardening whilst still nursing when she worked part-time as a gardener at four Scottish gardens whilst working in occupational health with the British Nursing Association. These attributes have been invaluable in making Castleton what it is today as she single handedly designed the décor and layout for Castleton House and has tirelessly maintained the 10 acres established gardens at Castleton, which include a manicured croquet lawn, established borders and productive kitchen garden and fruit orchard. Verity has always had an interest in interiors and property and she later moved to a role working with an Edinburgh based antique and interior design specialist and holders of a Royal Warrant, which means much of their design work, is often seen in Royal Residences and National Trust properties.

What’s close by

The hotel is perfectly located for the easy access from the nearby cities of Perth, St Andrews, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee. Nearby tourist attractions include Glamis Castle – childhood home of the Queen Mother, Scone Palace, Discovery Point at Dundee, Kirriemuir, Blairgowrie and the beautiful lush countryside of Perthshire and Angus.