Latest news with #StationHotel
Scottish Sun
21-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Inside the historic 135-year-old hotel right in the city centre – perfect for an Aberdeen adventure
Restaurant was so good despite we returned for a second feed DON TO PERFECTION Inside the historic 135-year-old hotel right in the city centre – perfect for an Aberdeen adventure Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THERE was no way the forecast of dipping temperatures and cold winds from the North Sea was going to put us off from a trip to Aberdeen. This was to be a first-time visit to the city for my wife Jackie, so we packed the woolly hats and layers and set off. 4 The hotel dates back to 1890 4 The classy lounge at the Station Hotel 4 Allan soaking up the sun at Aberdeen beach But the weather gods were more than kind to us as the clouds dispersed and we were treated to welcome sunshine. That wasn't the only bright spot during our visit. Arriving at the iconic Station Hotel we knew the hotel gods were also looking out for us. Built way back in 1890, the hotel maintains its Victorian charm but has no shortage of modern-day comforts. Our large, bright superior double room had welcome tea and coffee facilities, along with delicious shortbread and mineral water. The huge Hypnos double bed was extra comfortable and the bathroom featured a super-powerful and refreshing overhead shower. Plush and fluffy bathrobes and comfy slippers added to the luxury feel and there was even ear plugs to guarantee a silent night. The staff were friendly and helpful, especially in the brasserie where our first night's dining highlights were the tempura king prawns, sea bass and braised beef featherblade. In fact, it was so good that, despite the temptation to eat out on our second night, we returned there and enjoyed tasty ribeye steaks. With locally-sourced cuisine, the hot buffet breakfast was excellent with the usual sausage, bacon and egg complimented by the tasty black pudding and haggis. There was also a wide choice of cereal and fruit and, of course, porridge. As the hotel name suggests, it is situated right beside Aberdeen's rail and bus station. It was ideal for us as we decided to make this trip as leisurely as possible — by leaving the car at home. We boarded a Citilink coach at Glasgow's Buchanan Street Bus Station and seated upstairs we enjoyed the comfort of someone else driving as we took in the splendid scenery heading to the north-east coast with drop-off and pick-up spots at Perth and Dundee. Aberdeen is a city full of history and we strolled across the old Motherwell-built steel bridge beside the hotel on Guild Street then made a drinks stop at Molly's Bistro which kept us on the history trail as it's on at the start of Shiprow. Fly-through video shows what major Scots city will look like after huge £20m revamp This was originally the main entrance to Aberdeen, dating back to 1281, and the Shiprow Village project now sees it featuring pubs and restaurants. Walk further up Shiprow and you come to the impressive Maritime Museum, housed in the 16th-century Provost Ross' House and church building. The exhibits, across four floors, give you an insight into the city's trading, fishing and shipbuilding past, to today's offshore and global energy. The centrepiece between these is an amazing nine-metre high model of the Murchison Platform oil rig, with terrific oil-field details. I reckon a bus tour is a great way to explore cities and we boarded the Aberdeen Adventurer at the impressive Marischal College, the world's second-largest granite building and now the City Council's headquarters. One of the highlights was driving through picturesque Old Aberdeen with its cobble streets and King's College. As well as being known as the Granite City, many also refer to Aberdeen as the Silver City by the sea because the mica in the stone sparkles in the sun. GO: ABERDEEN ROOMS at the Station Hotel start from £60 a night for a standard double room and from £90 a night for a superior double room. See And as the sun broke through the light clouds it did just that and we hopped off the bus to enjoy it from the city's golden sand beach. The threatened biting winds were still absent as we strolled the lovely promenade for a refreshment and then enjoyed a lovely wander back through the city to the hotel. Thank goodness we didn't let that doom and gloom forecast put us off a trip up north, because we had a cracking few days in one of the Granite City's finest hotels.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tory council leader steps down over 'jobs for pals' recording
The leader of South Ayrshire Council has temporarily stepped down over a secret recording in which he appears to suggest he can help award contracts to "pals". The Sunday Mail reported that it was given a 2023 tape of Martin Dowey, in which he calls council officers "useless" and boasts that "all the top ones I can sack". The Conservative councillor also appears to promise help to secure multi-million pound demolition jobs - including work at Ayr's fire-damaged Station Hotel. Cllr Dowey, 56, said he had "acted properly at all times" and requested a full investigation to "clear this up". He said: "As a former police officer, I respect the law and follow the rules at all times. "I reported this situation to the authorities when it occurred, and the company in question has not received any money from the council." Cllr Dowey was a police officer in Ayrshire for 25 years before being elected in 2017. He was a previously general election candidate for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock and is married to Scottish Tory MSP Sharon Dowey. He added: "I have decided to step aside temporarily as leader to prevent this becoming a distraction from important local issues. "I would welcome a further detailed investigation to fully clear this up." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "We are in receipt of correspondence, and it is currently being assessed."
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Tory chief Martin Dowey urged to 'step aside' as South Ayrshire Council leader by Labour group
South Ayrshire Council leader, Martin Dowey, has been urged to stand aside while cops probe allegations he promised to help "pals" win multi-million pound contracts. In a bombshell recording which emerged yesterday , Tory council chief Dowey was heard branding his officials as 'f***ing useless' and boasted: 'All the top ones I can sack.' Opposition politicians have now rounded on Dowey, insisting his position to lead the authority is "untenable". Dowey has denied any wrongdoing following the emergence of the tape from 2023, which appears to record him telling a businessman that he can help him win work - including a deal to demolish the former Station Hotel. Police have confirmed they have received correspondence in relation to the meeting which is 'currently being assessed' by officers. Duncan Townson, who heads the council's Labour Group, said the probe made Dowey's position as leader untenable. He said this morning: "In order to protect the reputation of the Council during the investigation, Cllr Dowey has no choice but to step aside and allow another councillor from within his Group, not linked in anyway to the ongoing investigations, to take over leadership at this time, due to the very serious nature of the allegations. In short I believe his position at this time is untenable." Labour MSP, Carol Mochan, added: "There is no justification for this. It degrades trust in the council. His position is untenable."
Daily Record
27-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Tory council chief recorded appearing to promise multi-million pound contracts for 'pals'
A council leader has been recorded appearing to promise to help 'pals' win multi-million pound demolition contracts. In a tape passed to the Sunday Mail South Ayrshire 's Conservative leader Martin Downey calls officers at his local authority 'f*****g useless' and boasts: 'All the top ones I can sack.' And he appears to tell the businessman he can help him win work including a deal to demolish Ayr's fire ravaged Station Hotel . Dowey has denied doing anything wrong and claims he informed police of the meeting himself in 2023. Police have confirmed they have received correspondence in relation to the meeting which is 'currently being assessed' by officers. In the recording of a meeting at the council's offices in 2023 Dowey - a former police officer - states: 'You will be told the quotes are coming out. You put in your price, we will give you a guestimate of what is happening. 'If you are in the last three you will get the quote. You will get it. That's easy, that's not a problem. 'The problem arises if you are not in the final three, I can't do anything about that, so it's up to us getting a proper price from you. He added: 'If you are in the final three we decide who we pick but if you are not in the final three I can't say 'wait a minute, my pals aren't on it' or whatever, you canny say that.' Discussing Ayr's Station Hotel, which was being demolished after a fire, the businessman asks: 'Is that a definite for us to get that one?' Dowey answers: 'Nobody else can do it, we have had companies out before you arrived on the scene, they don't know how to do it, they are struggling, you put it in, you put your bid in. Don't email Mike, put your bid in as normal and you will get the contract.' After conversation moved to a council building programme Dowey said: 'The latest I have been told it will be £12.6million to do the flats. They might if they hear other people are about bump that it would need to be a really competitive price for that...£10.2million or £10.3million. He added: 'Officers have been hammered so much by getting shafted they are so wary they don't want to do anything. 'Half of this is my problem because I'm f*****g shouting and bawling and telling them they are f*****g useless and all the top ones I can sack.' Towards the end of the meeting Dowey tells them: 'We have a beautiful future coming. 'Everything is fine with us guys it's not an issue. If it's any consolation I'm happy with your work. Have you not had an ice cream yet.' Dowey also said: 'Councils are slow guys, trying to get something from a council is a nightmare, they are reasonably quick at paying but they are slow at doing anything.' Dowey, 56, spent 25 years as a police officer in Ayrshire. The dad-of-three is married to Tory MSP Sharon Dowey and was a Conservative general election candidate in Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock last year. When we contacted him for comment he said: 'I'm a former police officer. I know the law and I respect it at all times. 'I reported the approach from this individual to the police and the local authority myself long ago because I suspected something was not right with their approach. 'I did not help this company to win any contract. They have not received any money from South Ayrshire Council.' A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We are in receipt of correspondence and it is currently being assessed.' A spokesperson for the Council said: 'We note that this matter is with Police Scotland, and it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.'
