An International Scots hotelier has purchased an iconic restaurant based in the Isle of Skye.
Gordon Campbell Gray acquired The Three Chimneys from owners Shirley and Eddie Spear after they decided to sell the property they owned for 34 years.
Mr Campbell Gray, who is returning to live in Scotland, has added the iconic restaurant to his growing portfolio to add to the Wee Hotel Company.
The Three Chimneys will join the Pierhouse Hotel and Seafood Restaurant at Port Appin in Argyll, which he acquired in April.
The Spears have owned the property for the last 34 years since reopening The Three Chimneys in 1985 and they are now looking to ‘travel more and work a little less’.
Mr Campbell Gray plans to run The Three Chimneys the same way as when it was owned by Shirley and Eddie Spear, due to his love of the place.
The current staff will retain their jobs at the world renowned restaurant at Colbost on the Isle of Skye
The Head chef, Scott Davies, whose clean, pure style of cooking and commitment to using hyper-local produce has grown The Three Chimneys’ reputation as one of the best restaurants in the world.
Current reservations in the restaurants and bookings for the adjacent six rooms known as The House Over-By, will be honoured under the new ownership and the same local management team will remain in Skye.
Shirley and Eddie Spear, who reopened The Three Chimneys at Easter in 1985, will remain indirectly involved with the business for a transitional period ensuring a smooth handover of their heritage.
Gordon has invited Shirley to continue to work with him in an advisory capacity, sharing her knowledge and experience of Highland hospitality and tourism as the Wee Hotel Company develops.
She is delighted to have been invited to assist with the growth of this exciting new Scottish company.
The Three chimneys has retained its three AA Rosette for the past 20 years and has established itself as a multi-award winning, destination dining experience for more than 30 years.
Shirley Spear, Co-owner at The Three Chimneys, said: “Eddie and I have dedicated most of our working and family life to The Three Chimneys, here in the Isle of Skye and we are extremely proud of how the restaurant has developed over the past three decades.
“This could not have been possible without the support of many wonderful people, who have all worked exceptionally hard to help us build our reputation over the years.
“Together, we’ve taken The Three Chimneys’ biggest business constraint – the restaurant’s remote location –and turned it into a unique selling point. We always knew we had to create a memorable experience which exceeded customer expectations in order to grow the business here.
“We have now reached a point in our lives where we want to travel more and work a little less.
“Our focus has been on finding the right person who shares our vision for what The Three Chimneys can develop further for the long-term future, and we are extremely pleased to have found that person in Gordon.
“We know The Three Chimneys, The House Over-By and our exceptional team will be in great hands. We are also very proud of the fact that Gordon is so keen to invest his outstanding expertise in this remote, fragile area of the island, knowing he has already fallen in love with our beautiful views and peaceful surroundings here at Colbost.”
Gordon Campbell Gray, Founder of Campbell Gray Hotels and The Wee Hotel Company said: “I cannot tell you how privileged I feel to have been given the opportunity to buy somewhere as iconic as The Three Chimneys.
“I have admired Shirley and Eddie for so many years, and when we were chatting on one occasion and Shirley hinted that perhaps they might consider selling, it was a magical moment.
“I am very flattered that they would allow me take over the reins of their amazing achievement and the simply outstanding team.
“For the past few years, I have wanted to come home to apply the skills and knowledge I’ve developed across my career.
“I have been lucky enough to live in and travel to many countries but, at the end of the day, Scotland is simply one of the most stunning countries in the world – the best.
“I am thrilled to be able to invest time and effort here and to work within the hospitality sector which is, and should be, the envy of the world. The Three Chimneys is simply a wonderful place to begin that journey.”
Gordon Campbell Gray was named “Hotelier of the Year” by The Caterer in 2002. He was given the “Leading Legend” award by Leading Hotels of the World” at their annual convention in Tokyo, and also received the “Outstanding Contribution to the Hotel Industry” award at the Hotel Cateys in London.
