Aberdeen's celebrated Marcliffe Hotel finds new owner

Balmoral Group's Sir Jim Milne, left, and the Marcliffe's Ross Spence are pictured at the hotel

Aberdeen's five-star Marcliffe Hotel is to change hands, it has been announced.

The popular venue for wedding receptions and functions has been at North Deeside Road since 1993.

Balmoral Group has now stated its intent to acquire the business, with the sale expected to be completed later this month.

The hotel said Balmoral Group was the "perfect fit" for the future.

The Marcliffe is owned and operated by the Spence family.

Ross Spence has held the managing director position since his father Stewart Spence’s retirement in 2021.

Mr Spence said: "While it’s bittersweet to think we may soon be handing over the keys to The Marcliffe, we know that Balmoral are the perfect fit to continue its legacy.

"We are confident that Balmoral will honour The Marcliffe’s heritage and care for it with the same passion and commitment that has been at the heart of our family so that the hotel will thrive for decades more."

'An Aberdeen institution'

Balmoral Group - founded in 1980 by chairman Sir Jim Milne - said it did not plan to adjust existing staffing.

"The Marcliffe is an Aberdeen institution, and is an establishment very close to my heart," Sir Jim said.

"Maintaining the quality and standards that The Marcliffe is known for, while also retaining jobs, is of the utmost importance to us."

No financial figures have been disclosed, with the sale not yet complete.

Balmoral Group will continue an ongoing refurbishment programme.

The Marcliffe has been at North Deeside Road since 1993

The Marcliffe was opened in 1993 by Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, who was in the city to receive the Freedom of Aberdeen.

The hotel has long been a favourite of former first minister Alex Salmond, and has consequently been the backdrop for a number of high profile events.

In 2000 he used the venue to announce he was stepping down as SNP leader, and four years later he returned there to reveal his surprise comeback.

Mr Salmond also spent the day at the hotel when the SNP won power for the first time at Holyrood in 2007.

Mikhail Gorbachev - in the city to receive the Freedom of Aberdeen in 1993 - opened the hotel

In 2013, it was announced the hotel was set to close.

Owner Stewart Spence planned to retire, and sell the venue to an office developer.

However the following year, it emerged it was instead due to be bought over by housebuilder Stewart Milne in a bid to turn the site into homes.

Then, in 2015, it was announced the hotel was would stay open after a surprise U-turn by its owner, with the planned deal falling through.