HOLIDAY VOUCHER SCHEME LAUNCHED Hotels and bed and breakfasts, guest houses, hostels and camping parks and visitor attractions can all sign up to ScotGov and Visit Scotland’s ScotSpirit Holiday Voucher Scheme to help boost tourism by offering subsidised breaks around Scotland, with vouchers available to low-income families, unpaid carers and disadvantaged young people. It aims to offer those who don’t often get holidays the chance to explore a new part of Scotland, as well as boosting tourism in the off-season, and the scheme forms part of a £25 million tourism recovery package announced by the first minister and is completely funded by the Scottish Government. Businesses will be paid by the Scottish Government for any booking made directly through the holiday voucher initiative, while
The 13-bedroom Ecclefechan Hotel near Gretna is on the market. All rooms are en suite and it’s an established familyrun village hotel that Joe and Mary Kelly and son Steve have run since 2005. It has a public bar with lounge area and dining area, is easily accessed from M74/A74 Glasgow to Carlisle, has private parking to the rear and is suitable as family-run operation/chef operator For further information contact Smith and Clough on 0141 404 0087 or email graeme@ smithandclough.com Edinburgh’s Broughton Hotel has just been put up for sale but not as a hotel, instead, it is being marketed as a sevenbedroom terraced house. Marketed by Saville’s, the hotel traded for the last 10 years, is rated four and a half stars on Tripadvisor, and is set over four floors. There are six en suite double bedrooms on the upper two floors, three on the first and three on the second floor. Two of the bedrooms are set up as family rooms, while one of the rooms has an en suite bathroom. The lower ground floor provides its own self-contained accommodation with a private entrance at the rear.
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Charities such as Family Holiday Association and Shared Care Scotland will help to ensure those most in need of the subsidised trips get the vouchers. Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said, “We’re encouraging as many tourism businesses as possible to be part of the ScotSpirit Holiday Voucher Scheme. “Not only will you generate income for your business but you will also provide long-lasting memories for people who don’t often get to experience a holiday. “Tourism is a force for good – creating economic and social value in every corner of Scotland and enhancing the well-being of everyone who experiences it. “Tourism makes Scotland richer, economically and socially, and without it Scotland would be a much poorer place.”
RENOVATIONS FOR THE OLD COURSE The Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews is currently undergoing a series of renovation works to the hotel, including the introduction of a penthouse, 31 new guest rooms, an additional restaurant and bar, as well as refurbished events spaces – all set to be unveiled at the end of August, well ahead of The Open in 2022 which will be held on the Old Course. Following the renovations, the hotel will boast 175 rooms, with the introduction of a third floor in the ‘Champions Wing.’ The penthouse will be added to the fourth floor, which will be the only room with a private lift and balcony, outdoor seating and fire pit, with views overlooking West Sands Beach and the golf course. The interiors will feature wood panelling, a central fireplace, a private dining area for eight guests, with parquet flooring throughout, and a free-standing bath in the bedroom. It currently has six restaurants and bars and will add to its offering with the launch of a new 80-cover restaurant and bar, situated on the fourth floor and in the East End of the hotel. It will provide all-day dining, serving international cuisine using locally sourced Scottish produce, and an extensive wine and cocktail list. With floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace, it will offer panoramic views of the town and golf course.
Ellon-headquartered Brewdog has opened its 18-bedroom hotel and bar Doghouse Hotel Manchester at Bruntwood Works’ Bloc building, and is the company’s first in England and fourth overall, behind two in the US and one in Aberdeen. Features at the hotel include in-room beer taps and beer showers and a roof terrace. The hotel is billed as carbon-negative.
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