Hotel Staff

CHRISTOPHER LONGDEN - MANAGER

Christopher Longden has been Manager at Ballathie House since 1993. Prior to this he was Managing Director of Gleddoch House Hotel in Langbank for 11 years.

He began his training in hotels with British Transport Hotels in Edinburgh, St. Andrews, Turnberry and London and spent four years as Food and Beverage Manager at Hotel L'Horizon in Jersey.

He is a fellow of the Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management Association, as well as a Master Innholder and Freeman of the City of London. He has been awarded a diploma in Wines and Spirits from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and also a Diplôme d'Honneur from the Grandes Maisons d'Alsace.

Christopher is committed to improving standards in quality, education and training in the hospitality industry and regularly attends conferences and courses on these topics.

ANDREW WILKIE - CHEF
Chef Andrew Wilkie joined us at Ballathie in September 2007 after several years as Head Chef at nearby Castleton House Hotel.

His 20 years experience in exclusive country houses and 5 star hotels has seen him tutored by such experienced hands as George McIvor – Chairman of Masterchefs Great Britain – Alan Matheson  and John Webber who obtained a Michelin star for Kinnaird House.

Andrew and his young team continue to uphold Ballathie’s reputation for innovative modern cooking and have earned 2 AA Rosettes and an EatScotland Silver award.

Andrew is originally from Perth and lives in Stanley with his wife and young family.

ARNAUD MERROUCHE - FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGER
Food & Beverage Manager Arnaud Merrouche joined Ballathie in June 1997                             
after two years at Airds Hotel in Port Appin and a season at Sharrow Bay.

He trained at  Ecole Hoteliere  and  L’Ortolan with celebrity Chef John Burton Race

Arno hails from Dijon in the Burgundy region where his parents still live. He now lives in Blairgowrie with his wife and three children.