Hotelier puts Dryfesdale hotel on the market to focus on new hotel projects

Hotelier Glen Wright is selling the Dryfesdale Country House hotel near Lockerbie after 15 years of ownership as he embarks on a fifth project in the area, with a sixth in the offing.

Wright is working on a major refurbishment of the 180-year old Queens hotel, also in Lockerbie, and another hotel project, details of which will be under wraps until January, by which time he hopes planning consent will have been given.

Set in five acres of mature woodland, the 18th century 29-bedroom Dryfesdale property in Dryfebridge, Dumfries and Galloway, is on the market for offers in excess of £2.3m.

The hotel, which has been awarded four stars by VisitScotland, has been extended over the years and boasts large function and conservatory rooms.

A three-bedroom cottage at the back of the venue, which is currently used for staff purposes, is included in the sale, which is being handled by Christie & Co.

Wright acquired the Queens last autumn from Patricia Swan and is spending £600,000 on what he calls "a root and branch refurbishment".

The project involves the creation of nine new bedrooms, bringing the total to 30, a 200-capacity function room with dedicated bar, two further bars, a new restaurant and a new children's play area.

Like the Dryfesdale has been, the Queens will be a member of the Best Western marketing consortium. However, it may be given a new name - the first time the hotel has changed its name since it was named after Elizabeth II in 1953, the year she ascended to the throne.

"We are going to ask the locals what they feel it should be known as, which is a nice way to get local people involved," Wright said. "We are going to do a Facebook campaign in January ahead of the hotel relaunch in spring 2019."

The one-time owner of Auchen Castle and Moffat House, both also in Dumfries and Galloway, Wright also owns a restaurant in Dumfries called Little Italy.

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