Castleton House Hotel, situated near Eassie, on the Forfar-Coupar Angus road, is to close its fine dining restaurant to become simply Castleton House and will focus on the private holiday let market.

The small, six-bedroom country house hotel has, for the last ten years, received many accolades rewarding fine cuisine and excellent service, but this has not been enough to enable the hotel and restaurant to survive in the current economic climate.

In recent times prices and special offers have improved interest but ultimately with mounting costs and overheads, David and Verity Webster, after years of personal commitment, have reluctantly reached the sorry conclusion to close the business they have lovingly fought to build up.

Castleton was the first restaurant in Angus to hold 3AA rosettes for fine cuisine but this was simply not enough to regularly fill its conservatory restaurant to its 30-strong capacity, and with only six bedrooms it often found itself too small to suit shooting and golfing parties.

The hotel will trade in its full capacity until at least February 15, giving friends and regulars the opportunity to enjoy the Castleton restaurant for the last time and for the staff to, in their words, 'go out on a high'.

David and Verity Webster said: "It is with great sadness and regret that we have had to start redundancy proceedings. It will affect all members of staff as the company of Castleton House Hotel Limited closes its doors.

"We sincerely cherish the kind, lovely people who daily have put their heart and soul into the hotel. We will personally miss them deeply.

"Where possible we will offer them new employment at the Lands of Loyal Hotel in Alyth or the Raemoir House Hotel Banchory, and perhaps, as Castleton takes on its new life in the private country house letting market, we can find fresh vacancies for them here.

"Everyone leaves us with the highest recommendations and we would urge any local employers to make quick and generous offers to them as they are all with out doubt exceptional assets to any business.

"Our grateful thanks to all our guests and we hope to see you all before February 15, and thereafter at the Lands of Loyal where we will be redoubling our efforts and anticipate an excellent year.

"We hope to open Castleton House before Easter as a private country house."