An Indian entrepreneur and his sister who fell in love with the Scottish Highlands during a trip last year have opened the first of three hotels in Scotland after a £12 million investment.
Indian businessman Sanjay Narang and his sister Rachna travelled to Scotland last year for a hiking holiday. They then set up the Black Sheep Hotel group to buy Rokeby Manor, located on the outskirts of Invergarry. The hotel opened this week following a major refurbishment programme and is soon to be followed by The Cluanie Inn and The Whispering Pine Lodge .
Formerly called Craigard Guest House, Rokeby Manor is a Victorian country house built in 1840 and retains many of its original features. The 13-en suite bedroom property has been fully refurbished and includes the restaurant Emily’s Byre, which serves authentic Indian cuisine.
The Black Sheep Hotel group which includes, Rokeby Manor, The Whispering Pine Lodge (formerly the Letterfinlay Lodge) at Spean Bridge and The Cluanie Inn at Glenmoriston, cost the siblings £3 million and they have invested another £9 million into the refurbishment programme, with Rachna heading up on the design side.
Under the ownership of Mars Enterprise and Hospitality, Black Sheep Hotels is the company’s first venture in Scotland, taking their expertise in hospitality from their hotels and restaurants in Mumbai. Mars Group has experienced growth over the last 10 years and at its peak owned and operated 37 restaurants, 52 cake shops, five hotels, five air catering units and the luxury Waterstones Club in Mumbai.
Mr Narang said: “We are delighted to be opening the first of our Black Sheep Hotels at Rokeby Manor, bringing together our considerable experience and expertise in the hospitality sector in order to provide a distinctive and authentic experience for our guests. We fell in love with the Highlands on our first visit and decided to make this considerable investment, ensuring that other visitors can be as impressed as we are with the beauty of the area.”
The other properties in the collection, are due to open later this summer.
