Latest News from Auchen Castle Hotel, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
PAG Hotels, which owns Castle Venlaw in Peebles, purchased Auchen Castle Hotel on July 4th 2008.
The two castle hotels are less than 40 kilometres (25 miles) apart and Mr Pierre-Alban Guy, the founder of PAG Hotels, said they would provide "complementary exquisite settings in magnificent locations in Southern Scotland."
The four star Auchen Castle Hotel (www.auchencastle.com), which dates back to 1849, was purchased from Cory and Ann Skinner Ter Smitte. A popular venue for celebrity weddings and business meetings, its guests have ranged from The Beatles to The King of Norway, singer Chris de Burgh and best selling authoress Barbara Cartland.
Located at Beattock, near Moffat a few miles from Gretna Green and equidistant from both Edinburgh and Glasgow, the 25 bedroom Castle is set in 35 acres of private woodland and formal gardens. It has traded as a hotel for more than 55 years.
"The acquisition of Auchen Castle Hotel will enable us to build on our concept of offering private and corporate guests a range of memorable experiences in beautiful buildings in tranquil settings with award-winning food and service," Mr Guy added. "It will allow us to cross-sell with Castle Venlaw and offer two great destinations amid some of Britain's finest scenery."
Auchen Castle Four Star VIP Champagne and Drinks Evening
Auchen Castle was celebrating in style on Friday 1st December having recently being awarded its Fourth Star from Visit Scotland.
Ann Skinner the owner of the castle commented how they were particularly determined to gain a high percentage scoring for service as this is an area that guests really appreciate and notice the difference.
"We have a 90% award given to us on key areas on service which is amazing as five star is rated at 85% so we are all proud that our service has been recognised in this way."
The guest list at the castle with approximately 100 local dignitaries and VIP guests attending were welcomed by pipers and drummers from The Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary pipe band.
Auchen Castle is a fantastic success story in the area with its beautiful building and majestic gardens it attracts visitors from all over the world and hopefully will help to generate many more thousands of tourists that visit the castle every year and then explore Moffat and the surrounding area.
Mrs Skinner commented that she and her team are committed to further develop the Castle and its grounds next year and feels proud of the contribution the castle makes in generating new customers that come to Dumfries and Galloway .
Often guests visiting the castle are here in Dumfries and Galloway for the first time then clearly make a point of thinking of this area for future travel or holiday plans.
"The castle has played host this year from everything from a sophisticated dinner parties and leisure guest just wanting to relax and experience the castle to exclusive celebrity events.
"Conferencing and weddings are always popular in our kind of environment."
Auchen Castle is open 365 days of the year including Christmas day.