£50m golf grand designs unveiled

The expansion plans could create a large number of jobs

A rural golf course in the Borders is to unveil plans to become one of Scotland's top venues for the sport.

Developers are to announce proposals for a £50m hotel at the Rutherford Castle Club near West Linton.

They say the scheme could create up to 300 jobs if the project gets the go-ahead from Scottish Borders Council's planning committee.

Talks have been ongoing for some time about the possibility of building the upmarket hotel on the site.

A briefing session is planned for community leaders ahead of a public launch.

This is a very exciting announcement and shows that the Scottish Borders is an excellent venue for such world-class developments Cllr Vicky Davidson

Rutherford Castle Golf Club was created in the late 1990s by farmer Henry Wallace.

Following his death in 1999 the course was sold to development company Manor Kingdom.

It is believed the new five-star hotel will incorporate retail outlets, a conference centre, leisure facilities and swimming pool.

A full planning application for the hotel and surrounding facilities will be submitted with the council.

It is expected a decision will be made before the end of the year.

SBC business spokeswoman Councillor Vicky Davidson said: "This is a very exciting announcement and shows that the Scottish Borders is an excellent venue for such world-class developments.

"It shows that the developers have a lot of faith in this area."