£9 million tourism development in Kintyre

[Kintyre Forum News]

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is supporting international investors in the creation of a £9 million tourism development in the Kintyre peninsula.

HIE Board is announced its support package has increased to £2.2 million including £886,000 from the European Regional Development Fund. This will support the delivery of the restoration of The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown and The Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish, by the Kintyre Development Company (KDC).

KDC is a subsidiary of Southworth International Holdings Ltd, a US based international golf and leisure developer. It currently owns the new Machrihanish Dunes golf course and the award winning Ugadale Golf Cottages.

The restoration of these two hotels will result in the creation of over 50 jobs and bring more than £3 million to the economy annually.

The HIE board is in Machrihanish and Campbeltown yesterday (Thursday) to meet with a range of businesses delivering key projects for the area.

Chair of HIE, William Roe commented: "The Kintyre peninsula has a long history as a leisure and golfing centre. This significant investment from HIE demonstrates our ambition for the area and our desire to see a vibrant community and economy attracting visitors from around the world."

"Southworth's commitment and investment is having a major impact on the future opportunities for our communities. The restoration of these magnificent hotels will complement the renowned golf courses in this community and encourage visitors to stay longer to enjoy the benefits the wider area offers."

The project itself will redevelop The Ugadale Hotel, which overlooks the famous Old Tom Morris Machrihanish Golf Club and is minutes away from the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course. Both courses have been featured in the list of Top 100 Scottish and World courses. The hotel will comprise 23 rooms, a day spa and a beautiful restaurant and bar.

The Royal Hotel, located in the centre of Campbeltown, with views across the famous Campbeltown Loch, will be reconfigured and refurbished to provide 23 rooms, all en suite, a pub and a high quality full service restaurant.

[weetoonboy]

HIE Board is announced its support package has increased to £2.2 million including £886,000 from the European Regional Development Fund. This will support the delivery of the restoration of The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown and The Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish, by the Kintyre Development Company (KDC).

Obviously great news for the town, any investment is good, though the 2nd golf course at Machrihanish still doesnt sit all that well with me. Which golf course is higher on the top 100 list? Machrihanish was always a top course.

I'd like to know though, What stop the owners of Ugadale and the Royal Hotel selling the hotels once they have been refurbished and pocketing the profits, after a few years, profits that the taxpayer has helped create. Was this not the case with Vestas and the other tower manufacturers at Machrihanish. (It should always be remembered that Grants and Subsidies come from our own pockets. The money doesnt grow on the proverbial trees. So we should take an interest.)

Would it not be more appropriate for the taxpayer if we were investing in the hotels, and therefor always keeping a share.

Anyone know about the workings of such things?

[chuckle]

Sadly I was told the Spa wouldn't be available to non-residents...only wealthy Americans????