Owners reveal date for start of Cairnbaan Hotel transformation after planning green light

The council received four public comments regarding the application, which was made by husband-and-wife team Mark and Jennifer Watson, owners of building company Advanced Group Scotland.

All comments were in support of the new owners being awarded planning consent, with no objections received. The only public body consulted on the plans was Historic Environment Scotland. The organisation replied to the council to say it had no comment to make on the proposals.

The Cairnbaan community trustees agreed, saying that they saw no conflict with other buildings in the vicinity and that they did not consider that it would have any detrimental effect on the current building nor on its immediate neighbours.

They added: “The building materials appear to be sympathetic with its rural locale and will offer a long-term, environmentally friendly and energy efficient future for the property.”

Mark told the Advertiser: “I’m delighted at the speedy, positive decision made by Argyll and Bute Council on the first tier of the application.

“Now we need to get their support on the second application for the replacement of energy efficient windows in the listed section.

“We are full steam ahead on the delivery of materials and hope to start work on the building on November 8.”

The hotel’s future is considered to be integral in the future prosperity of the Cairnbaan area, as community member Louise Curtis explained.

“This will boost the community,” she told the Advertiser. “It’s what is needed. Years ago, the hotel was buzzing and it was a great place to hold wedding receptions, parties and community events.

“The hotel’s refurbishment will bring tourism back to the area. 

“People on boats and walkers will want to stop for a beer, lunch or dinner, and the locals have somewhere to go, which is important, we struggle to go out now for lunch or an evening meal. Also, it will be somewhere for business travellers to stay locally.”