A 14th Century castle in High Blantyre on the outskirts of Glasgow has been rescued from ruin and is set to open in spring next year as a luxury hotel, restaurant and event venue managed by Inverlochy Castle Management International (ICMI).
Businessman Steve Timoney and his wife Alison Reid-Timoney bought Crossbasket Castle in 2011, a year after it was listed on Scotland’s Buildings At Risk Register. Over the last five years the couple have invested over £9 million restoring the building to its former glory as one of the area’s most beautiful historic homes.
They have also added a Grand Ballroom to the castle, which overlooks the stunning waterfalls on the River Calder and accommodating up to 250 event guests.
Anticipating huge interest from local people, corporate clients and prospective brides and grooms, ICMI and the Timoneys will open the doors for a one-off ‘sneak peek’ on Monday 21 December from 10am until 6pm. Albert Roux OBE, KFO, is crafting a menu for guests to sample some of the dishes they can expect when the restaurant opens next year.
Alison Reid-Timoney has personally designed the interiors, scouring Scotland to ensure each of the nine unique bedrooms, drawing room, dining room and library are furnished with antique 14th, 15th and 16th century pieces.
She said: “My husband and I have a passion for restoring old buildings and first spotted Crossbasket Castle over a decade ago. When we purchased it vandals had damaged the roof and interiors, it was leaking water and the walls were starting to deteriorate. Since then we have painstakingly restored it with a focus on using craftsmen to reinstate original features. Our aim is to create a sustainable business for our family that also supports the community we live in.
“We are honoured to have partnered with ICMI to reopen Crossbasket Castle as a luxury hotel. ICMI’s group of experts are the best in the luxury hotel sector and have a track record of success, most recently with Andy Murray’s multi award-winning Cromlix Hotel, the Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course near Kelso and Fasque Castle near Aberdeen. We look forward to working closely with the team as they prepare to open Crossbasket Castle.”
ICMI already manage 12 other renowned independent properties around Scotland, including Inverlochy Castle, near Fort William, Greywalls Hotel in Gullane and Rocpool Reserve in Inverness. ICMI’s group of industry experts includes Albert Roux OBE, KFO, owner of Le Gavroche in London, the first UK restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars.
Norbert Lieder, ICMI’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to be working with the Timoneys on this very exciting project to run Crossbasket Castle, and to be offering our guests a wonderful hotel near Glasgow.
“Alison has done a fantastic job with the restoration – I can honestly say her attention to detail and sympathetic restoration are first class.
“Our team of experts has experience in every aspect of the hospitality industry and specialise in working with independent properties and transforming them into luxurious destinations.
“I am confident that, in partnership with the Timoneys, we can create a very special hotel that is unique in the Glasgow area. While we aim to create a destination that attracts visitors from around the world we are also determined to ensure it remains a venue of choice for local people and becomes one of the premier wedding and event locations in Scotland.”
