New owners for castle hotel

A country castle hotel near Peebles will come under new ownership later this month.

Cringletie House Hotel has been bought by Devon-based Cross Hotels, with the official changeover due to take place on Monday, February 25.

Johanna and Jacob van Houdt put the 12-bedroom baronial retreat on the market a year ago.

Mr van Houdt said: “We acquired Cringletie in a derelict state in 2003 and invested time and money creating a destination for holidays in the Borders.

“Cringletie is now ready for a new phase of development and further growth.

“We are delighted that the Cross are bringing new energy and ideas to this magnificent project.”

Cross Hotels director Bill Cross added: “The van Houdts have created a very stylish hotel at Cringletie House.

“We look forward to enhancing the operation and, in due cours,e extending the facilities.”

Set in 28 acres of grounds, the wheelchair-friendly historic hotel has been named in the top 10 accessible hotels in the UK, and was AA hotel of the year for Scotland in 2013.