Linda Johnston

Auchrannie Resort, Isle of Arran

Linda Johnston is Managing Director of Auchrannie Resort and was brought up in Irvine, North Ayrshire. She moved to Arran in 1983 to teach Physical Education and in 1988, co-founded Auchrannie (at the time a 16 bedroom guest house) with a vision to build a business which could support a swimming pool and indoor leisure facilities for the island.

Thirty three years later, Auchrannie has grown beyond all expectations to become a multi award winning resort with a capacity of 536 guests and comprises 85 x 4 star hotel rooms, 30 x 5 star self-catering lodges, 14 x Self-catering Retreats, 2 leisure clubs, children’s Playbarn, ASPA destination spa, Arran Adventure Company, Motorhome Stopover and 3 x restaurants / bars.

In 2017, Auchrannie became the first hotel / resort in Scotland to become Employee Owned and in 2018, one of the first hospitality providers to implement Real Living Wage.

Linda has been widely involved in various tourism, community and business initiatives over a number of years including Arran Development Trust (Director and Vice Chair), the Coig (Director & Chair), Ayrshire Visitor Economy Strategy Group, North Ayrshire Tourism Group, Arran Economic & Recovery Groups, RLW Hospitality Steering Group and was also a founding Director of VisitArran."

In her spare time, Linda enjoys all things outdoors, particularly dog walks, road cycling, and adventures in the camper van.