Stop Press! We couldn't be happier to share our latest news with everyone! 

Dalriada Luxury Lodges, a 5-star standard, self-catering accommodation business opened for business in Stonehaven on March 30^th, 2018.  The business is owned by the McAlpine family and led by Bob McAlpine, a former oil and gas executive with Hydrasun and Balmoral Group in Aberdeen. The family have invested over £1.5m into the development and believe that tourism will be one of the fastest growing business sectors for the North East of Scotland in the years ahead.

The eight luxury self-catering cottages were built in under a year with over 95% of suppliers involved in the development of the site and construction of the lodges being North East businesses, which demonstrates the McAlpine family’s commitment to supporting the local economy.

Chief Executive of VisitScotland, Malcolm Roughead OBE will officially open Dalriada Luxury Lodges in a private event before invited guests including Opportunity North East, Aberdeenshire Council, local businesses and politicians on March 30th 2018.

He said: “I was delighted to be asked to officially open these beautiful lodges, which will complement the strong accommodation offering here in Aberdeenshire. Bob and Kelly’s passion for tourism and delivering an authentic visitor experience will ensure that guests at Dalriada can be confident that they will enjoy exceptional hospitality and be well placed to enjoy the best the North East has to offer.

“Tourism is leading economic transformation in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire through redevelopment and expansion of existing products, innovation and bringing new opportunities to the visitor economy. Delivering a quality experience that not only meets but exceeds visitor expectations is crucial in making this region a must-visit, must-return destination.

“It is very encouraging to hear that almost all the suppliers involved in this development were North East businesses. Tourism is more than a holiday experience – it is integral to sustaining communities across the country by generating income, creating jobs and stimulating social change.”

Dalriada Luxury Lodges is the only luxury self-catering accommodation business of this kind in the area and is believed to represent one of the largest investments in high end, self-catering accommodation in the region.

Mr. McAlpine said, ‘We know there is demand for very high quality, self-catering accommodation in the North East of Scotland and the family have invested well over £1.5 million of our own money to bring this development to life. Aberdeenshire is undergoing a renaissance period after the oil price crash, with a strong focus on a more balanced economy and tourism as one of the pillars for growth. Four full time jobs will be created in our company this year and more to follow next year. We will buy from local suppliers where ever possible and expect to bring visitors and tourists to the area who otherwise may have gone to alternative regions. We have received strong support and encouragement from a range of organisations but particularly Aberdeenshire Council and Visit Scotland.’

You can find out about the lodges in detail on The Lodges page of the website and book your stay with us for a date range that suits you here.