LUXURY Arran resort Auchrannie has announced it has completed its transition to become Scotland’s first employee-owned hotel, with 160 members of staff becoming owners.

Auchrannie is an awardwinning resort comprising of two 4-star hotels, 30 5-star selfcatering lodges, two leisure clubs, three restaurants, a children’s Playbarn, an ASPA spa and Arran Adventure outdoor company.

An Employee Ownership Trust was formed and holds 100 per cent of the shares on behalf of the employees.

The deal was structured in order to make it affordable to the business without affecting its ability to reward the team and reinvest for the future.

It marks the first time a hotel or resort in Scotland has become employee-owned.

Co-founder and managing director Linda Johnston said: “We first started looking at employee ownership in 2015. Many options were considered but none protected the ethos of the company, the existing team or the community use of Auchrannie’s facilities for future generations like employee ownership did.

“The team have very much embraced the concept of employee ownership and are extremely excited about it. ”

Linda Johnston and the rest of the Auchrannie management team will remain in place and the day to day operation of the business will not change.