Scottish hotels cease trading after holiday firm collapses

Seven Scottish hotels have ceased trading after Specialist Leisure Group (SLG) and its subsidiaries were placed into administration.

The company said all tours, cruises, holidays and hotel breaks booked with them have been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

The collapse has led to the loss of more than 2,500 jobs.

SLG operated several businesses that sold holidays and other travel arrangements, which have all ceased to trade, due to the impact of Covid-19.

Well-known coach holiday brands Shearings, Caledonian Travel and Wallace Arnold are among the SLG portfolio.

The Wigan-based company also owns brands including UKBreakaways.com, Wallace Arnold Travel, and hotel chains Bay Hotels, Coast & Country and Country Living.

According to a statement from administrators, the hotels in Scotland to have ceased trading are:

Bay Great Western Hotel, Oban
Bay Highland Hotel, Strathpeffer
Bay Tarbet Hotel, Loch Lomond
Bay Caledonian Hotel, Fort William
The Pitlochry Hydro Hotel, Pitlochry
The Portpatrick Hotel, Portpatrick
Bay Waverley Castle Hotel, Melrose

John de Vial ABTA Director of Membership and Financial Services said: “The Specialist Leisure Group included two of the UK’s best-known coach holiday brands, Shearings and National Holidays, two much loved holiday companies who for many years have provided holidays both at home and overseas to a very loyal group of customers.

“Today is a very sad day for these customers and the thousands of staff who will have lost their jobs.

“The fact that two such well-known brands with a loyal customer base have had to call in administrators is a stark indication of the pressure that the holiday industry is under as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

“ABTA has repeatedly highlighted to the Government the urgency of the situation and the need to set out a coordinated strategy with clearer communication if it wants to help avoid significant job losses and support companies to weather the storm,” he added.