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Ullapool’s NC500 landmark Caledonian Hotel and restaurant has received a ‘long overdue’ face–lift in a major £2 million refurbishment of all 80 rooms as well as facilities.
The Caledonian Hotel, on Ullapool’s West Argyle Street, has almost finished receiving its £2 million makeover of its bar, dining room, coffee shop, restaurant, car park and bedrooms.
The Wester Ross hotel was built more than 100 years ago in memory of Captain Sir John Arthur Fowler (1817–1898), and was in major need of an update, as well as improving their two-star rating.
General manager Andrew Mackay said: “Prior to restoration, the Caledonian Hotel was rated as a two-star hotel, so I would have to say it was of a two-star standard – the renovations were long overdue.
“We have refurbished all of our 80 bedrooms, we have renovated the car park, we have a new coffee shop which is due to be open in the next few weeks, but the bar is the biggest difference that locals will see. There is a massive difference for the bar and bistro after the refurbishments, probably the biggest difference overall.
“Currently, we are putting a new kitchen into what will be the restaurant, which will be re–opening after, I think 12 years now. We try to use local produce where we can on our menu, it’s a struggle sometimes, but we do try. We also have the new coffee shop, which open to locals and visitors alike soon, will be open from 9.30am to 3.30pm daily.”
The Caledonian’s new bar and bistro is now open from 11am to 11pm, boasting a fresh and modern look, and a new menu with prices for main courses starting at £11.50.
Mr Mackay added: “There are still a few things that we need to put in the rooms, but it’s looking more like a three out of five star rating now. Projects like this never run smoothly, and we are a couple of weeks behind, but we will get there in the end.
“The owners of the Caledonian Hotel, who have had the hotel since 2006, have invested over £2 million into these renovations, which came to about £16,000 per room.
“There is a lack of people out there who wish to work – it’s the same issues across the board, I don’t know what the right answer is to fix it. Everyone is in the same boat, we are lucky enough to have accommodation – but do we have enough? That’s a different story. If it means we have take rooms off so we can run the business, then I suppose that’s what we will need to look at. We are always putting job adverts out, which is just the same as the Ceilidh Place, same as the Seaforth, same as the Arch Inn – we are all looking at the same pool of employees as every other business in Scotland.”
He added: “For us, it’s a case of just keeping on trying – we will interview 30 people, and just hope that one of them is right for the job, or two are right if you’re lucky. There is no magic answer, somebody might turn up for two weeks, and then decide they are not for you, or decide that you are not for them. You just have to work around that, everyone’s focus on life has completely changed over the last couple of years, and quite right too.”
Although costly, the Caledonian Hotel’s investments into these renovations should pay off according to statistics from YouGov, which show hotels remain the most popular choice for holiday accommodation for Scots.
Although the popularity of staying at a hotel on holiday for Scottish citizens dipped in 2021 and 2022, the popularity of hotels is on a steady increase again as of January this year, and they still by far remain the most popular choice of holiday accommodation, with the highest overall percentage of 64 per cent.
Local MSP for Ross, Maree Todd said: “I’ve been hearing positive reviews coming from both locals and visitors since the Caledonian Hotel’s refresh. After a tough period for the tourism sector, it’s heartening to see Ullapool’s oldest hotel back and being enjoyed by so many. I look forward to visiting soon.”