Rugby hotels are put on the market

The Dunstane House Hotel and its sister property the Dunstane City Hotel - both at either sides of the same road near Murrayfield Stadium - are being sold by husband-and-wife owners Derek and Shirley Mowat, who have run the hotels since 1998.

They are also prepared to offer their own four-bedroom home as part of any deal, which could be used to expand the business. An asking price of 5 million has been put on the buildings,

The hotels includes 34 bedrooms, bars, restaurants, and meeting rooms and staff accommodation.

Mr Mowat said: "Shirley and I have really enjoyed our period of ownership and building it up to be an absolutely fantastic business.

"It has however almost outgrown us and I now feel that due to its size it would probably be better to be part of a bigger company.

"Whilst we have decided to include our own home as it could be part of a new owner's growth plan, we would also be very happy not to include the house in the sale as we have thoroughly enjoyed living in this terrific part of the city."

David Reid, at selling agent Knight Frank, said: "It is so rare for such quality hotels to come on the open market."