Aurora chief snaps up hotel near Gleneagles ahead of Ryder Cup

The 36-year-old businessman, who began his career washing dishes in a hotel while still at school, has acquired the Cairn Lodge hotel in Auchterarder, near Gleneagles, in a seven-figure deal.

More than 40 jobs will be created when the property re-opens towards the end of the year as the five-star Cairn-Rooms Bar and Grill, featuring a restaurant and 16 luxury rooms.

The hotel had been one of the final links in the Stakis dynasty after it was acquired by Ridi Stakis-Christie, daughter of founder Sir Reo, for just over £1 million in 2003. It has been closed for the past two years after being put on the market for offers over £2.25m prior to a slump in the top end of the leisure trade triggered by the financial crisis.

Meanwhile, the Kenmore Hotel near Aberfeldy has also been added to McLeod’s company, the Aurora Hotel Collection, although the property has not been bought outright.

It will form part of a burgeoning stable focused on central Scotland that also includes Airth Castle Hotel near Falkirk, Solsgirth House near Dollar and the Coach House at Glenbervie.

A delayed Hotel Colessio is due to open its doors in Stirling by next spring.

McLeod, who set up the business in 2005 with the acquisition of Airth Castle Hotel, said: “The Cairn fits the Aurora portfolio perfectly and it was a great opportunity to acquire a property in Auchterarder, on the doorstep of Gleneagles Hotel and in the shadow of one of the most famous golf courses in the world.

“There is a discerning local market who appreciate great things, so we will be catering for all needs as well as the international tourist market. However, we will be doing this at a price that people respect and can afford.”

He added: “The eyes of the world will be on Gleneagles in 2014 when the Ryder Cup is played there, and the economic spin-offs both before and afterwards will be considerable.”

Alongside its refurbished bedrooms, Cairn-Rooms will feature a “contemporary cocktail bar”, outdoor terracing and a “Josper Grill Room”.

Billed as “Scotland’s oldest inn” and dating from 1572, the Kenmore Hotel is located at the mouth of Loch Tay. McLeod said it was set to become a “fantastic addition” to the Aurora portfolio.

The hotelier hinted at further deals, saying: “We are always on the lookout for properties which are in the right place and have the potential to excite and entertain.”

McLeod’s Coach House, next to the five-star Glenbervie House Hotel, near Larbert – another Aurora establishment – recently hosted Gladiator star Russell Crowe. Scots singing sensation Susan Boyle has also been a guest there.

Having started out as a dishwasher and kitchen porter in his early teens, McLeod rose through the ranks of a number of hotel companies, including Macdonald Hotels, before buying the Airth Castle property aged just 30.

He added: “Since I started my company in March 2005, we have created a considerable amount of jobs in Scotland’s hospitality sector.”