UK: Management consulting company Begbies Traynor have been appointed liquidators of the Highlander Hotel Ltd which traded as the Lomond Hills Hotel in Fife.
The eighteenth century coaching inn dates back to 1733. It is located at the foot of the Lomond Hills in Freuchie, a village in Fife.
As a result of the cost of living crisis and a downturn in trade, the drop in occupancy combined with the challenges of the Covid-19 lockdowns has led to cashflow issues at the property.
On 6 March 2023, Lomond Hills Hotel ceased to trade and all 17 staff have been made redundant. Ken Pattullo and Kenny Craig of Begbies Traynor have been appointed joint liquidators, and are assisting former staff with registering any claims to the Redundancy Payments Office and access support services from PACE.
Thomas McKay, partner at Begbies Traynor in Scotland, said: “Like many boutique hotels in small villages, the Lomond Hills Hotel has experienced very difficult trading conditions during the challenging winter season. Facing a perfect storm of financial pressures, the directors, in consultation with the business’ lenders, made the decision to enter liquidation as the hotel was no longer able to trade. We are currently working with local government bodies to support former employees by ensuring they receive appropriate redundancy advice.
“After almost 300 years as a coaching inn, we plan to appoint agents to present the hotel for sale in early spring and hope that it will again be able to operate in the hands of new owners.”
