A brother and sister duo have acquired an 18th century Scottish inn with support from The Cumberland.
Experienced hoteliers, Andrew and Rosaline Ryan, purchased The Inn on Loch Lomond, situated near the village of Luss in Scotland, following investment from The Cumberland.
Built in 1804, and first opening in 1814, the original inn was the epitome of a roadside establishment, serving as a watering hole for countless generations of travellers.
As part of the acquisition, the brother and sister have set about modernising the building while ensuring improvements made are in keeping with the inn’s rich heritage. The stylish and contemporary refurbishment boasts modern accommodation, unique public spaces, and a restaurant and bar.
Further additions include the modernisation of the hotel’s internal operations, with the use of technology, such as Wi-Fi and WhatsApp being added for customer convenience.
The hotel itself is surrounded by stunning visuals overlooking Loch Lomond. Meanwhile guests can further explore Scotland’s breathtaking countryside with Loch Long, Loch Fyne, and the Arrochar Alps situated nearby.
Offering high-end comfort food at its terrace restaurant and bar, guests can unwind following a day of canoeing, hiking, or simply driving through Scotland’s beautiful scenery.
Andrew and Rosaline approached The Cumberland Building Society for support following a recommendation from their mortgage broker, with the Society’s relationship-managed service playing a pivotal role throughout the acquisition process.
The Cumberland’s approach allows its team work closely with applicants, ensuring they understand every aspect of their client’s proposal and the goals they are trying to achieve.
The service also sees The Cumberland base decisions on the individuals, their experience, and their level of planning, rather than just the numbers behind their proposal.
Andrew said: “We had a specific project in mind for The Inn on Loch Lomond, and this is why we went to The Cumberland and without them, we would not have been able to do it.
“They bring with them a personal touch and they’re a lender with a face. When you go to them with an idea, they don’t immediately say no,” he said.
“We immediately felt a connection with The Cumberland,” Andrew continued. “They understood who we are, our background, and what we wanted to achieve.”
Upon receiving the application, The Cumberland’s commercial relationship manager, Steven Ret, reviewed the project and business case, obtaining approval within 48 hours.
Steven said: “We looked at the application and it ticked all the right boxes which resulted in an incredibly quick approval process for the application.
“First of all, the location is fantastic, and then we looked at their track record with other businesses in the hospitality space and it was exceptional.
“The pair are fantastic together. They both bring the right balance to their operation, and they really want to see the business thrive moving forward.”
Andrew and Rosaline, who were born in London but grew up in Canada, have been in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years.
Upon returning to the UK in the 1990s, Andrew attended the University of Westminster to gain his qualifications in Hospitality Administration and Management.
Following this, he became Food and Beverage Manager at Hilton Worldwide, where he spent five years before obtaining his first hotel with Rosaline. Since then, they have grown their presence in the hotel and holiday let sector with a growing portfolio of properties.
Steven recently visited the Ryans at The Inn on Loch Lomond to see how the project was progressing.
Steven said: “It was fantastic to catch up with Andrew and Rosaline - you could see how happy they were to see us, and they gave really positive feedback. They really enjoyed that strong relationship throughout the process and from our point of view, they are the type of people we support and want to work with in the future.”
For more information on how The Cumberland can support you and your business, visit our business page.