It’s official Andy Murray has bought Cromlix House Hotel, the Stirlingshire hotel where his brother was married, and plans to turn it into a five star venue in time for next year’s Ryder Cup. Cromlix House, formerly owned by Ian Grier and David O’Connor, closed suddenly just over a year ago, with many brides to [...]

BT has acquired sports broadcaster ESPN’s TV channels in the UK and Ireland from Disney, in a deal which is expected to go through in the summer. The deal will see BT take-over sports rights packages from ESPN which include matches from the Scottish Premier League (SPL), the FA Cup, Uefa Europa League and German [...]

Scotland had the highest hotel occupancy and revenue figures of any part of the UK amid a mixed picture for the sector during 2012 according to the latest report by accountants and business advisers PKF. The annual figures, which were clearly influenced heavily by Aberdeen, showed Scottish hotel occupancy was up 0.3% year on year [...]

Chris Houlton has joined Greene King as Managing Director Brewing and Brands, a role previously held by Euan Venters, who stepped down last month. Chris, formerly Sales and Distribution Director at Carlsberg UK, now takes on the responsibility for Belhaven in Scotland. He will split his time between Scotland and England, and he told DRAM [...]

The Fox & Hounds and Houston Brewery Brewing Co in Houston, has been sold to Stewart Robertson and Andrew Anderson, new entrants to the licensed trade. Their company MY500 bought the business through Christie & Co, who have been handling the sale of the pub and micro brewery for the Wengel family, who put the [...]

Magners has announced it is to sponsor Celtic in a three-year sponsorship deal. Magners become the shirt sponsor of Celtic from the start of the 2013/2014 season and is currently working with the club to develop a range of initiatives to support its partnership with the club. Tom McCusker, Managing Director of Magners, commented, “Magners [...]

In amongst all the chatter about January traditionally being the quietest month, let’s not forget that this month boasts one of the most important nights in the Scottish social calendar. There’s also quite a lot to shout about on the Scottish brand front, too. Jason Caddy investigates. It might be the bleak midwinter, but there’s [...]

Belhaven seeks new boss Greene King have confirmed that Euan Venters, Managing Director of Brewing & Brands will be leaving the company at the end of the month. Euan replaced former Belhaven boss Stuart Ross in 2008, when he joined the company as managing director of Belhaven. Last year he took on the role of [...]

Minimum pricing on alcohol should not be introduced, according to the European Union’s ruling body, the European Commission. The EC has stated that minimum pricing could restrict imports of foreign alcohol, putting international producers at a competitive disadvantage in Scotland. The Commission would prefer a wholesale increase in all alcohol prices through raising taxes, or [...]

Diageo plc, United Spirits Limited and United Breweries (Holdings) Limited have announced agreements under which Diageo would acquire a 27.4% stake in USL, the leading spirits company in India, and the company behind Whyte & Mackay. The total consideration will be approximately £660 million. Following completion of these agreements, Dr Vijay Mallya will continue in [...]