New owner sought for McMillan Hotels’ portfolio
A HOTELS group in south west Scotland which has been family run across three generations is up for sale almost 60 years after it was founded.
Stranraer-based McMillan Hotels was established by the McMillan family in 1962 and now totals 150 guest rooms across three properties: North West Castle in Stranraer, Cally Palace Hotel and Golf Course in Gatehouse of Fleet and Fernhill Hotel in Portpatrick. The portfolio offers a range of facilities, including golf, curling, meeting and conference spaces, and “idyllic wedding locations”.
Douglas McMillan, managing director of McMillan Hotels, said having “considered many different futures for McMillan Hotels and its dedicated staff” the family has made the decision to find “new, experienced hoteliers with ambitious plans for the future of the group” – adding that it is in “no rush to sell”.
“Nobody was expecting the world to take the turns it has over the last couple of years, but having come through a global pandemic and emerged stronger and more resilient than ever, the family believes that now is the right time to set the wheels in motion to sell the business,” he said.
“The hotels were trading well before COVID, and have been trading exceptionally well since reopening.
“Our family has welcomed our guests for over 60 years and we are determined to hand over the reins to the right people, ideally who will have demonstrable plans to nurture and invest in the business in the coming years.
“The company is in good shape and we are in no rush to sell.”
Alistair Letham, agent at Graham & Sibbald, which is handling the sale, said the property firm is marketing the portfolio on an “offers invited basis with viewings highly recommended to understand the full offering of each hotel”.
