Clydesdale Bank helps top Inverness hotel with development plans

13/12/07

One of Europe's Top hotels is about to undergo a major refurbishment as part of a £2 million deal with Clydesdale Bank.

The world famous Culloden House Hotel in Inverness has an enviable reputation, having won the Gold award as the Best Hotel in Scotland by the respected international traveller's bible, Conde Nast.

This 18th Century Georgian mansion is built over the vaulted cellars of the original Jacobean Culloden Castle.  Sitting 40 acres of tranquil countryside, the hotel is popular with celebrity guests, having played host to the likes of Elton John,  Robbie Coltrane, Billy Connelly, Tony Blair and even the King and Queen of Sweden.

Shaun Hendry, business partner at Clydesdale Bank's business banking centre in Inverness who funded the refurbishment project, said:

"Culloden House Hotel has long been established as one of the country's leading luxury hotels and when we learned of their refurbishments plans we immediately took interest. Supporting local businesses is something that Clydesdale Bank is fully committed to, and we recognise the value that this investment will bring to the local economy.

"With the hotel currently employing 40 staff from the local area, these development plans show that there's real potential for that number to increase in the future."

Steven Davies, general manager of the Culloden House Hotel added:

"Phase one of the redevelopment plan will see us totally update all suites in the hotel, installing state of the art Bose entertainment systems. The entire hotel will also have wireless access for guests.

"The hotel has won numerous awards over recent years and today's investment by Clydesdale Bank will allow us to continue to build on our reputation."

Culloden's managing director Edward Cunningham concluded:

"We are very pleased to partner with Clydesdale Bank - which came highly recommended by people we trust for its ethics and commitment to its customers - on the exciting plans we have to further enhance the quality and preservation of this historic landmark property for the benefit of future generations."  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

ALLAN BARR  0141 333 4008
NATASHA LOBLEY 0141 333 4007

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Clydesdale Bank:
Clydesdale Bank is part of the National Australia Group.  Clydesdale Bank was established in 1838 in Glasgow and has a proud history of innovation and support for Scottish industry and communities.  With over 150 retail branches and a network of Financial Solutions Centres, Clydesdale is one of Scotland's largest banks. The Bank is currently expanding its operations into the South of England with its innovative Financial Solutions Centres, offering customers a highly integrated business and private banking service.

*Clydesdale Bank was recently voted the 'Best Business Bank' in Scotland, by the Forum of Private Business.

In 1987, Clydesdale Bank PLC became a member of National Australia Bank Group.

Financial Solutions Centres:
Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centres (FSC) offer Members a tailored range of business and private banking services under one roof. A team of specialist partners, each with considerable local experience, work together to provide Members with end to end solutions for their business and private banking needs. In addition to banking services, the FSCs also operate as a hub for local business, with a range of networking opportunities and meeting facilities available as a benefit of membership.

Over 70 FSCs are located around the UK and in 2006 represented over half of the National Australia Bank Group's UK income.