Share

Guest House Celebrates Successful First Year and Accolades

An Aberdeenshire guest house is celebrating a successful first year after exceeding initial targets.

Former bank manager Jenny Ironside launched The Lairhillock Lodge in Netherley, Aberdeenshire, last November and the facility has already received a four-star VisitScotland rating and hit a turnover nearly 20% higher than expected.

Much of the Lairhillock Lodge’s business is from repeat travellers, and many new guests have been recommended by word of mouth. As a result, the Lodge enjoys an impressive 75% midweek occupancy rate, exceeding initial hopes and resulting in a larger turnover than planned during its first year.

Mrs Ironside said: “Reaching our one-year anniversary, I’m thrilled at what the lodge has become. I knew I took a chance starting a new venture when I did, but we’ve received great recognition from customers and tourism agencies throughout the first year. We attract a great deal of business during the week from the oil industry clients based on the outskirts of the city as we are perfectly located just a short drive from Aberdeen. It’s been a great first year and we look forward to continuing to welcome guests for many years to come.”

Steady business has also led to an increase in employees in recent months with the team growing to seven members of staff.

Mrs Ironside had a successful 22-year bank career before launching the new business. She claims to have never had any aspirations to become a guest house owner but spotted the land for sale and took a chance. Mrs Ironside and her husband, Neil, who owns construction company KW Contractors Limited transformed the plot into the Lairhillock Lodge in just 18 months.

She said: “It has been a very steep learning curve and it’s a big challenge as if something goes wrong, you have to sort it; you can’t walk away from it and the buck stops with you.”

Looking ahead, Mrs Ironside is aiming to increase growth, with plans for an expansion to the lodge, including additional bedrooms and possibly apartment-style rooms for long-term visitors.

129 views