The US company behind a new golf course in Kintyre is refurbishing two local hotels at a cost of £7.4million to provide high-quality accommodation and facilities.
Southworth Development LLC of Boston, Massachusetts, through its subsidiary Kintyre Development, plans to restore the Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish and the Royal Hotel in Campbeltown’s Main Street.
Funding of £1.12million towards the project has been approved by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with a further £744,000 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The redevelopment will form part of a comprehensive programme of investment by Southworth, an international golf resort management and development organisation.
The project will build on the previous investment in the new Machrihanish Dunes golf course, an 18-hole links course formally opened in July this year and also owned by Southworth. It has developed a golf shop, bar/restaurant and modern apartments at Machrihanish, available on a freehold fractional ownership basis.
Built in 1898, The Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish overlooks the famous Machrihanish Golf Course which was built in the 1870s by Old Tom Morris.
The course regularly features in the “Top 10” Scottish courses and the world “Top 100”. The completed hotel will comprise 21 rooms, a malt whisky bar and seafood restaurant.
The Royal Hotel, which is located in the centre of Campbeltown and with views across the famous Campbeltown Loch, will be comprehensively refurbished to provide 23 rooms, including three suites, a bar and an oyster and seafood restaurant.
Southworth aims to complete the projects by spring 2011.
HIE acting chief executive, Sandy Brady, said: “The hotels will both add significant value to the area, with the proximity of two golf courses of such a high standard attracting golf tourists from around the world.
“HIE is pleased to support such investment in the local area."
David DeSmith, director of marketing for Southworth, said: “These hotels are an integral part of our aim to make Machrihanish a must-visit golf destination for both national and international visitors. We aim to provide world-class accommodation which will be worthy of Kintyre, one of the most beautiful areas in the world."