Owners of the Clachaig Inn are to give the Lochaber pub a major facelift with an investment of £125,000 (pounds).

The family run pub nestles in the heart of Glencoe amid stunning mountain scenery offering bed and breakfast, home cooked food and a wide selection of real ales and malt whiskies.

The upgrade will be undertaken in three stages over the next year and will include the refurbishment of the inns nineteen bedrooms. Work on the lounge bar and reception area has just begun and will be completed by April this year.

Owners Guy and Edward Daynes hope to achieve a three star rating from the Scottish Tourist Board.

The inn is open all year round, attracting a broad section of clientele from Glasgow day trippers in the summer to walkers and climbers during the winter season.

Guy Daynes said: "People come to Glencoe from all over the world and we are committed to providing a very high standard of service. This means we need to continually upgrade our premises and make sure that staff receive on-going training."

"We are in the process of modernising the lounge area but want to hold onto the traditional inn feel. We serve food all day in the bar and lounge where people can relax in front of the big open fires or if anyone is looking for a slightly more formal atmosphere they can eat in our restaurant in the old part of the building."

The re-development is being supported by Lochaber Limited, part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise network with an investment package worth £34,000 (pounds).

The inn currently employs 20 full-time staff and the upgrade will create five new jobs over the next year.

Last year the Clachaig received Investors in People, a top business award which recognises an in-house commitment to staff development as an integral part of overall business development.

Head of Business and Infrastructure for Lochaber Limited Scott Dingwall said: "Tourism is a vital part of the economy and we actively support the upgrade of local premises. It is essential that we aim to provide a standard of service that meets rising expectations if we are to achieve continued growth.."