Gordon Campbell Gray returns to Scotland to launch the Wee Hotel Company

Former Hotelier of the Year Gordon Campbell Gray has returned to his native Scotland to launch a new hotel company focused on authenticity, a warm welcome and indigenous ingredients.

After spending the past 12 years travelling the world opening properties for his global business Campbell Gray Hotels, he will now turn his attention to building up a collection of small properties for the Wee Hotel Company.

The new company's first acquisition has been the 12-bedrom Pierhouse Hotel and Seafood Restaurant in Port Appin, Argyll.

Overlooking Loch Linnhe with views to the islands of Lismore and Mull, the Pierhouse will now benefit from new investment while enhancing the its reputation for "outstanding Scottish seafood and genuine hospitality".

Campbell Gray described the philosophy of the Wee Hotel Company as being based around a greater sense of integrity, rather than excess, and looking after guests seeking an authentic hospitality experience.

He said: "I've been lucky enough to live and work in many countries across the world but I really feel that few can rival the sheer magnificence of Scotland when it comes to scenery, food and drink, and I'm now ready to come home. I live in Argyll and realised one day that I always had that going back to school feeling when I was leaving to head off on more travels, so I finally said to myself - then why am I leaving?"

Named as Hotelier of the Year by The Caterer in 2002 and winner of the Outstanding Contribution award at the Hotel Cateys in 2011, Campbell Gray is now taking "a more ambassadorial role" within Campbell Gray Hotels, the company he founded and has been personally involved in every aspect of the creation, design and philosophy of each property.

Alongside owning and managing hotels open and under development in Beirut, Malta, Bahrain, Liberia, Amman and Zurich, Campbell Gray Hotels also manages the Machrie, which opened last year on the Isle of Islay on the west coast of Scotland.

Further acquisitions by the Wee Hotel Company will be announced later in the spring.

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