Police are hunting for a couple who were kicked out of a north-east hotel just hours before its entire day’s takings were stolen.
Staff at the Ramsay Arms Hotel in Fettercairn grew suspicious of the pair as they “hung about” in the bar, not ordering anything but asking questions about the menu and room rates.
The man and woman were eventually asked them to leave, and drove off in a red A-class Mercedes.
But when the chef arrived at work yesterday, he discovered the hotel had been raided – with both cash and alcohol taken.
It is the second raid on a Fettercairn business in the last fortnight, with the local shop targeted just last week.
CCTV is now being installed at the hotel, where Queen Victoria famously stayed on her first trip to the north-east.
Last night, police confirmed they were investigating the theft and urged anyone who had seen the pair – or the red car – to come forward.
General manager Hayleigh Frain said: “It was our breakfast chef coming in at 6am who discovered the rear door to the property had been forced open and found the hotel had been left unsecured.
“All of our cash takings have been taken and an amount of bottled spirits were taken also. We don’t know if it’s linked to the couple or not.”
Miss Frain said staff had grown suspicious of the pair when they started hanging around the bar on Thursday at about 7.30pm.
“We just had a gut feeling about them,” she said. “They didn’t order any food or drink, but were just hanging around, looking at the menu and were asking about room rates.
“Generally your gut instinct is right, so that’s why the girls put in the call with the police on their non-emergency 101 line.
“Before the staff left at around 10pm they double checked to make sure that everything was securely locked away.”
She said the hotel – where three guests were staying – was normally left unmanned overnight, but several members of staff stay locally.
Miss Frain added: “It’s horrible for such a small location – it’s such a quiet little place.”
Constable Gavin Gathro said: “I appeal to anyone with information to please get in touch as soon as possible. If you live nearby did you see any suspicious people or vehicles in the area through the night?
“In particular we are keen to trace and speak to a man and woman who were at the hotel yesterday evening and left in a red Mercedes A Class. Please contact police if you see this appeal and recognise this to be you as you may have information which could assist.
“This incident has happened in an area where this type of crime is extremely rare. It won’t be tolerated and extensive inquiries are ongoing to identify who is responsible.”
Emergency repairs were carried out on the 12-bedroom hotel yesterday, delaying opening until 3pm.
Mearns councillor George Carr admitted he was shocked at the news – and revealed it was the second break-in to hit the village in recent weeks.
“This is the second robbery in as many weeks; the Fettery Shop was targeted too. That this should happen in Fettercairn of all places is really shocking. I feel for the businesses – it’s hard enough trying to manage at the moment.”
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.