Managing director Kenneth Waugh said that adding these hotels to the company's 20-strong portfolio was a major development for the group, and was the first step in establishing a chain of four-star hotels in prime city-centre locations across Scotland.

The group is also seeking planning permission for a new £6.5m, four-star, 33-bedroom hotel in Edinburgh's Hope Street.

It also wants to spend £1m on a new bar-restaurant in Edinburgh Quay and more than £7m adding 40 more bedrooms and conference facilities to its Raeburn House hotel in the city.