A Perthshire hotel has been forced to close due to a “hate campaign” being waged against its owners.
John Hewitt, director of Arngask Hotels Limited, will not re-open The Glenfarg because it is not “economically viable” amid vicious remarks he claims are aimed at his family.
Mr Hewitt listed a catalogue of “malicious rumours” he claims have been spread about his family.
He said people have claimed he and his wife were sacked from their roles when, in fact, they own the hotel, while others have falsely stated the couple have split up.
He said: “Last year we lost £20,000 and this year it will be significantly more probably in the region of £100,000.
“My wife and I have had to put a lot of our own money into the hotel but it has not been supported by the locals.
“What many people forget is that it is not just a pub, it is a hotel with 16 bedrooms and a restaurant.”
He continued: “Some of the remarks made online about us amount to cyber bullying and have been put there by people who haven’t even been in the hotel.
“We are human beings and my daughter has been very upset by reading some of these awful comments.
“This business is our livelihood but it’s just not economically viable to keep the hotel open.”
Mr Hewitt, who took over The Glenfarg in 2013, added: “The economic climate, coupled with the significant impact of malicious rumours spread by a few people, have resulted in several good people losing their jobs and the village of Glenfarg losing its last hotel.”
Glenfarg Community Council representatives said they were “shocked and disappointed” by the closure of the 120-year-old hotel.
Chairman Donald MacKenzie said: “The insinuation that alleged rumours circulating in the community led to the final nail being put in the hotel’s coffin is extremely regrettable and hugely harmful to any feelings of goodwill.
“It seems to be at odds with the fact that the company has, some time ago, had architects in to prepare plans for converting the property to residential accommodation.”
Another villager, who wished to remain anonymous, said many residents were “very disappointed” at the decision to close the hotel.
“A significant number of local people supported the hotel,” she added. “Talk of malicious rumours is a bit of a red herring. Many of us feel this closure is a real slap in the face.”
The closure means the popular Glenfarg Village Folk Club will relocate to the Green Hotel in Kinross.