Calum Milne appointed director of Palé Hall

Calum Milne has been named director of Palé Hall at Llandderfel, which was recently sold to private buyers Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney of Baslow Holdings Developments.

 

The five-AA-red-star country house hotel, which is part of Relais & Châteaux, had been owned by Angela and Alan Harper for the past decade.

 

In February this year, it was put up for sale with a guide price of £6m as the couple planned to retire.

 

Milne joins the 22-bedroom property, which features a three-AA-rosette and Michelin Green-starred restaurant, having served similar roles at Llangoed Hall, a country near Brecon established by the late Sir Bernard Ashley.

 

The new owners revealed plans to add a restaurant, spa and potentially extra bedrooms to the hotel, as well as a sculpture trail in the 50-acre estate.

 

Chauffer-driven Rolls Royce guided tour packages are also being developed.

 

Milne is in the process of hiring 45 employees, with vacancies for a full-time events manager and six housekeeping and restaurant staff.

 

Taking on Palé Hall is also his first major hospitality role since becoming deaf following illness five years ago.

 

Milne said: “There are so many coincidences about me being here that it was obviously meant to be. Palé Hall was built by a Scotsman in the style of a Scottish baronial castle, and now another Scotsman is back running it.

 

“I have been fortunate to live in Wales for 15 years and I know how special the country is in terms of the fantastic scenery and places to visit. The owners have some very exciting plans in the pipeline to support the local community and attract more visitors to Bala, so watch this space. We are determined to be good neighbours and to support the community in any way possible.”

 

The hotel was built by railway engineer Henry Robertson, who bought the site in 1868, and was believed to have “greatly enchanted” Queen Victoria during her visit to the property in 1889.

 

It received a significant refurbishment in 2015 and joined the Relais & Châteaux portfolio in 2018.