HIE Investment Supports £9 million Kintyre Transformation

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is supporting international investors in the creation of a £9 million tourism development in the Kintyre peninsula.

HIE Board is announcing its support package has increased to £2.2 million including £886,000 from the European Regional Development Fund. This will support the delivery of the restoration of The Royal Hotel in Campbeltown and The Ugadale Hotel at Machrihanish, by the Kintyre Development Company (KDC).

KDC is a subsidiary of Southworth International Holdings Ltd, a US based international golf and leisure developer. It currently owns the new Machrihanish Dunes golf course and the award winning Ugadale Golf Cottages.

The restoration of these two hotels will result in the creation of over 50 jobs and bring more than £3 million to the economy annually.

The HIE board is in Machrihanish and Campbeltown today (Thursday) to meet with a range of businesses delivering key projects for the area.

Chair of HIE, William Roe commented: “The Kintyre peninsula has a long history as a leisure and golfing centre. This significant investment from HIE demonstrates our ambition for the area and our desire to see a vibrant community and economy attracting visitors from around the world.”

“Southworth’s commitment and investment is having a major impact on the future opportunities for our communities. The restoration of these magnificent hotels will complement the renowned golf courses in this community and encourage visitors to stay longer to enjoy the benefits the wider area offers.”

The project itself will redevelop The Ugadale Hotel, which overlooks the famous Old Tom Morris Machrihanish Golf Club and is minutes away from the Machrihanish Dunes Golf Course. Both courses have been featured in the list of Top 100 Scottish and World courses. The hotel will comprise 23 rooms, a day spa and a beautiful restaurant and bar.

The Royal Hotel, located in the centre of Campbeltown, with views across the famous Campbeltown Loch, will be reconfigured and refurbished to provide 23 rooms, all en suite, a pub and a high quality full service restaurant.