Scottish market town hotel restored to former glory

23-Jan-2014 - Last updated on 23-Jan-2014 at 17:22 GMT

The new-look hotel features 10 individually designed bedrooms along with meeting and function rooms

A hotel in South West Scotland that ‘had fallen into disrepair’ has re-opened under new ownership as The Buccleuch & Queensbury Arms Hotel and Restaurant.

The Georgian hotel, which stands in Scotland’s smallest market town of Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway, was bought by the Sweerts de Landas family last April and will officially re-launch in March.

It now features 10 individually designed bedrooms, two cottage rooms and two meeting and function rooms, along with an 80-cover restaurant headed up by chef William Pottinger.

Arthur Sweerts de Landas, the hotel’s manager, said: “It’s about being a successful commercial business but at the same time being friendly, warm, welcoming and inviting.

“We are very excited about the official launch on 21 March and honored to have the Duke of Buccleuch formally opening the hotel for us.”

Buccleuch Beef

Buccleuch-restaurant — The restaurant, headed up by William Pottinger, will serve produce from the Buccleuch Estate

The Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms is designed as a ‘home away from home’, with 21st century amenities and warm, unobtrusive service.

The Sweerts de Landas family, which also owns the Dunsborough Park country estate in Ripley, want to make the most of the local area with three of Scotland’s most prestigious golf courses nearby and a variety of packages able to be arranged. Field sports, for which the area is famous, include shooting, stalking and fishing.

The property sits next to Drumlanrig Castle, part of the Buccleuch Group, and the food at the restaurant will be locally sourced; with Buccleuch Beef on the menu as well as venison, pheasants and partridge from the local estates.

Last year, BigHospitality took a trip to the nearby Buccleuch Estate; to find out how the supplier is championing the quality and traceability of its products as consumer confidence remains fragile following the horsemeat scandal. Watch that video here.

The Buccleuch and Queensberry Arms Hotel will officially open in Thornhill on 21 March.