Family-run St Andrews hotel sold for undisclosed sum

Northern Irish private investment company, Wirefox, acquired the Ardgowan Hotel through its Marram Hotels business, expanding its leisure portfolio to Scotland.

It bought the privately owned business from the McLachlan family this week for an undisclosed sum.

Close neighbours of the Ardgowan include the renowned University of St Andrews and world-famous Old Course.

The group plans to operate the three-star rated hotel in its current form, with the existing team in situ.

It is the second property in the Marram Hotels portfolio.

Kathryn Robinson, investment director at Wirefox, said: “As an iconic golfing hotel, it’s a great time for us to be adding the Ardgowan Hotel to our growing portfolio, with all indicators pointing towards a bumper year for golf enthusiasts off the back of The Open.

“Welcoming the current staff to Wirefox’s extended team, while continuing to trade, will allow us to gain a deeper understanding of the business and continue to provide the much-loved service guests have become accustomed to.

“We’re grateful that the McLachlan family have agreed to work with us to ensure a smooth transition and we look forward to acting as custodian in the months and years ahead.”

Housed in a B-listed Georgian townhouse, designed by Scottish architect George Rae, the hotel comprises of 29 comfortable en suite bedrooms, with a further seven en suite rooms in a section of the property dating back to 1820.

The hotel’s Playfair's Restaurant and Steakhouse enjoys an excellent reputation, having been awarded an AA Rosette every year since 2015.

Bought by Roy and Eliza McLachlan in 2003, the business is now run by the second generation of McLachlan family - brother and sister, Duncan, director of catering and head chef, and Rachel director of marketing and business development.

Roy McLachlan, managing director, said: “It's a pleasure to be handing over the operation and ownership of the hotel to such a professional group.

“It has enjoyed many years of excellent performance due to its wonderful staff and I am convinced that both the staff and the hotel will enjoy a very bright future.”