Fusion Group looks to revamp Perthshire’s hospitality offering

06-Mar-2014 - Last updated on 26-Apr-2021 at 20:00 GMT

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The Fusion Group of Companies also owns Old Churches House in Dunblaine and self-catering lodge park Logierait Lodges

The Fusion Group of Companies, which owns and operates a collection of hotels and self-catering lodges in Scotland, is set to open a new food and drink destination with rooms in Perthshire.

In a project representing a combined investment of £360k, the former Ballinluig Hotel in Pitlockry is to be transformed into ‘The Red Brolly Inn’, featuring an all-day restaurant, coffee house, bar and grill along with eight boutique bedrooms.

“We are extremely excited to announce this new venture which will transform the fortunes of the Ballinluig Hotel,” said the Fusion Group’s managing director Alex McKie.

“The building is in a prime position to capitalise on travellers venturing North and South and is a stone’s throw from popular visitor attractions such as the Nae Limits Centre and three well established independent garden and craft centres.

Customer feedback

The Fusion Group also owns the newly opened Old Churches House in Dunblaine, along with luxury wedding venue Carphin by St Andrews and self-catering lodge park Logierait Lodges - which is less than a mile away from The Red Brolly Inn.

Alex McKie of Fusion (left) outside the former Ballinluig Hotel with newly appointed general manager Joseph Newbold

For this latest venture, McKie added that he was ‘inspired’ by customer feedback at the nearby lodges, with many locals disappointed by the limited number of food and drink venues open throughout the year.

“The Red Brolly Inn will suit several different markets - from holidaymakers staying or travelling through the area to business travellers and the residents of Perthshire seeking a great value, all-day dining destination.”

The former Hotel has been empty for over a year. Work has just commenced on its modernisation with the estimated timescale for completion outlined as mid-Spring.

Multiple markets

Joseph Newbold, formerly of Crieff Hydro, has been brought in as The Red Brolly Inn’s new manager to oversee the pre-opening works.

He said: “I am delighted to have joined the Fusion Group and to be working with Alex and the whole team in creating this exciting new venture - we see masses of potential and are looking forward to the greeting our first guests.

“I am confident that we can quickly establish a multiple market presence as I think we are pitching the Red Brolly Inn correctly."

The Fusion Group of Companies also owns Fusion Meetings & Events - a global events management company that organises conferences around the world.

The Red Brolly Inn will open in Pitlockry, Perthshire, next month.