World-famous restaurant The Three Chimneys has been sold by Shirley and Eddie Spear after 34 years.
The new owner of the fine dining establishment at Colbost on the Isle of Skye is hotelier Gordon Campbell Gray, who has returned to Scotland after a career in international hospitality.
Campbell Gray has promised business as usual but with additional investment as part of his newly established The Wee Hotel Company.
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All current staff will remain in position, including head chef, Scott Davies, whose clean, pure style of cooking and commitment to local produce has grown The Three Chimneys’ reputation as one of the best restaurants in the world.
Reservations in the restaurant and bookings for The Three Chimneys’ six bedroom suites in The House Over-By, will be honoured and the local management team will remain.
The Spears, who reopened The Three Chimneys in 1985, will remain indirectly involved for a transitional period to ensure a smooth handover and Campbell Gray has invited Shirley to continue to work with him in an advisory role.
Shirley said: “Eddie and I have dedicated most of our working and family life to The Three Chimneys here in the Isle of Skye and we are extremely proud of how the restaurant has developed over the past three decades.
"This could not have been possible without the support of many wonderful people, who have all worked exceptionally hard to help us build our reputation over the years. Together, we’ve taken The Three Chimneys’ biggest business constraint – the restaurant’s remote location – and turned it into a unique selling point. We always knew we had to create a memorable experience which exceeded customer expectations in order to grow the business here.
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“We have now reached a point in our lives where we want to travel more and work a little less. Our focus has been on finding the right person who shares our vision for what The Three Chimneys can develop further for the long-term future, and we are extremely pleased to have found that person in Gordon.
"We know The Three Chimneys, The House Over-By and our exceptional team will be in great hands. We are also very proud of the fact that Gordon is so keen to invest his outstanding expertise in this remote, fragile area of the island, knowing he has already fallen in love with our beautiful views and peaceful surroundings here at Colbost.”
This month, Campbell Gray revealed he was building a boutique venue business back home in Scotland and had made the The Pierhouse hotel and restaurant in Port Appin, Argyll, his first purchase.
