An Invergarry couple have converted a former country hotel into high quality, self-catering cottages retaining and restoring many of the original features with the help of local craftsmen.

Chris and Gillean Sangster bought Ardochy House, which overlooks Loch Garry on the Kinlochourn road, in November last year after moving to the area from Wiltshire where Gillean worked as a computer systems analyst and ran a smaller self catering holiday cottage business. Chris, a self employed training consultant and author, will continue his business from their new base and the couple eventually hope to offer workshops and retreats using the cottage accomodation.

With help from Lochaber Limited, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network, they have invested £75,000 converting the former estate lodge from an eight bedroom hotel into three self-catering cottages. Grants from the Local Enterprise Company worth £11,900 has helped towards the cost of installing a firewall between the separate units, a new heating system, creating new entrances and upgrading rooms throughout the building and fitting kitchens in each apartment.

The development has created two full-time jobs and the couple eventually plan to convert an adjoining barn to become a dual purpose residential unit and seminar facility with full disabled access. As well as Chris using this for personal development and management seminars, the couple plan to promote residential arts and crafts workshops in the quieter season. Ardochy House Cottages are promoted through the internet, the local tourist board and various other directories.

Chris Sangster said: "We first saw Ardochy House when we were on a walking holiday to Barrisdale Bay and the Knoydart area over four years ago. We fell in love with the house and the area and knew that it was time to return to Scotland, where we were both born and brought up. Ardochy House is in a beautiful setting and provides the ideal location for the type of business we are developing."

Head of business development and infrastructure at Lochaber Limited, Scott Dingwall said: "The conversion of Ardochy House from a hotel into self-catering cottages represents the first phase of a new facility for the area. There is increasing demand for high quality self-catering accommodation and the future availability of a facility for training courses or arts and craft classes is an added attraction.

"The development will help to enhance Lochaber's reputation as a quality visitor destination; a place for business and for pleasure."