Keil Hotel, Southend

Imposing 5 storey flat-roofed Moderne hotel, commanding extensive views over the Mull of Kintyre from its hillside location. The hotel was built just before the outbreak of World War II and was used as a Navy hospital before opening as a hotel in 1947.

James Austin Laird's career reached its peak in 1929-30 with the building of the extremely fine English neo-Jacobean Carlung at West Kilbride for his uncle Robert Barr, a whisky and shipping magnate, and the commission for Balmore School in Possilpark, a large and handsome renaissance design. The refined academicism of these buildings was in marked contrast to the absolute simplicity of his best work before the First World War. By the late 1930s some of his designs showed the influence of the modern movement, notably the moderne Keil Hotel at Southend, Kintyre, built in 1938-39 (Dictionary of Scottish Architects)

1990: The hotel closes. Planning Permission is granted to convert the hotel into flats, although conversion does not subsequently take place. 1992: Planning Permission is sought to install a pitched roof. The works are not subsequently undertaken. 6 July 1995: The Oban Times reports that the hotel has been bought by a consortium, which plans to upgrade the building. It has been in discussions with Argyll and the Isles Enterprise. Rain has leaked into the building, damaging the upper floors. Planning Permission granted in October 1990 will soon lapse. May 1996: Local planners report that permissions are being sought by Keil Leisure Ltd for the redevelopment of the hotel and the erection of leisure facilities. August 2001: External inspection reveals the hotel to be vacant and in poor condition. October 2003: External inspection reveals further deterioration.

November 2009: External inspection finds the building‘s condition continues to deteriorate towards a ruinous state. Some of the upper floors have collapsed and the building is now completely exposed to the weather.

March 2010: SCT is contacted by a member of the public who advises that the property was sold in January 2010 to a restoring purchasor.

25 July 2012: External inspection finds work is underway to restore the building with all windows now replaced. The condition of the overall building continues to be a concern however. Moved to Restoration in Progress.

6 December 2018: External inspection finds the hotel in much the same condition as seen previously. Restoration works are still ongoing. Some windows appear to have been removed or boarded. Paintwork looks to be in poor condition. Remain Restoration in Progress.

6 February 2024: The Clyde Insider reports (6/6/2023) repair works continue - the property remains disused.