A 19th century Aberdeenshire landmark will be restored to its former glory after a multi-million pound revamp was approved.
Braemar’s Fife Arms will be transformed into a five-star hotel with 45 bedrooms, restaurant and community facilities.
The Cairngorm National Park Authority (CNPA) backed the scheme yesterday – raising hopes the revamped Marr Road property could reopen in early 2018. Around 50 people could be employed.
The hotel and watering hole was closed in December 2014 while new owners, Highland Hospitality Ltd (HHL), looked into ways of breathing new life into the historic structure.
Swiss art dealers, Iwan and Manuela Wirth – who run the art firm Hauser and Wirth – are the founders of HHL and have vowed to “sensitively” revive the inn.
The hunting lodge was built in the 1800s by the Duke of Fife, and was built as Braemar expanded as a tourist resort following
Prince Albert’s purchase of the Balmoral Estate for Queen Victoria in 1852.
Convener of the CNPA and Braemar councillor, Peter Argyle, said the redevelopment of the Fife Arms would be a “tremendous boost” for the Deeside village.
He added: “The application was granted with great enthusiasm. Everyone was very, very happy with what had come forward.
It is a very sympathetic restoration of a very important listed building in the centre of Braemar.
“A huge amount of thought has gone into it. The design I think was absolutely spot-on. It is going to be a five-star hotel, having that in Braemar will be a huge boost for the tourist offering of Upper Deeside.”
Chief executive of HHL, Edward Workman, said work on the building would begin right away.
He added: “The much needed renovations will start immediately and we have confidence that the transformation of this beautiful and historic hotel will bring huge benefit and opportunity to the local community, attract visitors from all over the world, and safeguard the Grade B listed building for future generations.”
Eleanor Mackintosh, planning convener for the CNPA, said: “I am delighted to see this application before us and welcome the significant investment being made which will have a very positive impact on Braemar and will enhance the tourism offering in the national park.”