£480m ‘world-class’ hotel and golfing resort planned for 310 acres of Scottish countryside

Ambitious proposals have been outlined for a £480 million “world-class” hotel, resort and golfing development in Angus.

The “Brae of Angus” plans include the creation of a five-star Hyatt-branded luxury hotel, which would be the first five-star establishment in the region.

The mixed-use development is planned for land at Shank of Omachie, located to the north and east of the village of Wellbank, between Dundee and Carnoustie.

A championship golf course, golf academy and training facility also form part of the site's masterplan.

A proposal of application notice (PAN) has been submitted to Angus Council and key stakeholders, noting the intent to take forward a planning application following a period of pre-application consultation.

Covering some 310 acres, Brae of Angus is being described as one of the most significant hospitality investments in Scotland in recent years, with a direct investment valued at approximately £480m. Substantial additional economic benefits would be realised for the Angus region.

The site was recently purchased by Angus Land Company (ALC) and is owned by the private investment company Mocca Capital, which is working in partnership with Castle Properties, an international developer with a history of delivering similar mixed-use projects.

The vision for the proposed development has been developed in consultation with major global brand operators and funders and includes various levels of tourist visitor accommodation operated by Hyatt, consisting of approximately 450 rooms in total.

An existing 18-hole championship golf course, previously designed by Scottish designer Graham Webster of Team Niblick, would be retained. A “state-of-the-art” golf academy and training facility, including driving ranges and simulation programmes, would set a new benchmark for golf performance and training.

The principle of the project’s development and acceptance has long been established, with a masterplan permission granted historically that included a hotel, golf facilities and a housing development. The current proposal is said to be an enhancement of this previously approved project, updating “post-pandemic trends and global market requirements to deliver a world-class destination”.

A spokesperson for ALC said: “Located near the world-leading golf destination of Carnoustie, Brae of Angus brings together major global brand operators with a commitment to deliver a truly unique and sustainable resort integral to Angus’s golf destination eco-system. Our desire is to deliver a world-class destination and hospitality experience.

“The development represents one of the most significant hospitality investments in Scotland in recent years, with a projected investment of approximately £480m while delivering considerable local employment opportunities in both its construction and operations on completion.”