The first of three Highland hotels bought and renovated at cost of more than £12 million by millionaire Indian leisure entrepreneur Sanjay Narang has opened for business.
Mr Narang bought the Craigard Guest House, now re-named Rokeby Manor, near Invergarry, along with the Cluanie Inn, at Glenmoriston, and Letterfinlay Lodge, at Spean Bridge, for £3m after he and his sister, Rachna Narang, visited the area on a hiking holiday last year.
They were less than impressed by the standards of hospitality they experienced.
Yesterday, Mr Narang said they had decided to make the multimillion-pound investment after falling in love with the Highlands during the trip.
The brother and sister, who head the Mumbai-based Mars Enterprises and Hospitality group, have set up Black Sheep Hotels – their first venture in Scotland – with a portfolio currently comprising the three Highland properties, and Mr Narang has moved from India to Glengarry.
Ms Narang has been responsible for design during the £9m refurbishment of the trio of hotels.
Rokeby Manor is a Victorian country house built in 1840 and many of its original features have been retained during its makeover.
Facilities at the 13-bedroom hotel include a restaurant, Emily’s Byre, housed in a refurbished cowshed, serving Indian food and featuring recipes brought back by Scottish soldiers from India.
Mr Narang said: “We are delighted to be opening the first of our Black Sheep Hotels at Rokeby Manor, bringing together our considerable experience and expertise in the hospitality sector in order to provide a distinctive and authentic experience for our guests.
“We fell in love with the Highlands on our first visit and decided to make this considerable investment, ensuring that other visitors can be as impressed as we are with the beauty of the area.”
Letterfinlay Lodge, which has been re-named The Whispering Pine Lodge, and Cluanie Lodge are due to re-open later this summer.
