Calum Milne, a seasoned hotelier, has returned to Wales to take the helm at the five-star Palé Hall country house hotel.

Mr Milne has managed hotels that have won accolades across the UK.

He now leads Palé Hall, an award-winning AA Five Red Star Relais & Chateaux luxury country house hotel in Llandderfel, near Bala.

The hotel boasts AA three-rosette and a Michelin Green Star fine dining restaurant.

In his prior position, Mr Milne spearheaded Llangoed Hall to several considerable hospitality industry awards and served as a tourism ambassador for King Charles III.

New owners Anthony and Donna Cooper-Barney, entrepreneurs with exciting plans for the 50-acre estate and the surrounding community, recruited him.

Mr Milne plans to employ people from the area, enhancing skills and highlighting excellent Welsh food and drink, art, and crafts.

Managing a team of 45, Mr Milne is still seeking to fill several positions, offering flexible working and promoting apprenticeship opportunities.

He shared that the owners have exciting investment plans in the pipeline, which include developing a sculpture trail and offering exclusive chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce tour packages.

The hotel's gardens are currently being redesigned by the renowned New Zealand-born landscape designer Anthony Paul.

On his return to the hotel last week, Mr Milne experienced déjà vu, having previously considered buying the property 12 years ago.

Despite suffering hearing loss from an illness five years ago, with his parents' support, Mr Milne learned to lipread, and a telephone app allows him to convert spoken conversation into text.

The estate was purchased in 1868 by well-off Scottish railway engineer and entrepreneur Henry Robertson, who spent three years constructing Palé Hall.

Mr Milne has said: "There are so many coincidences about me being here that it was obviously meant to be.

"Palé Hall was built by a Scotsman in the style of a Scottish baronial castle, and now another Scotsman is back running it.

"Palé Hall and the surrounding area are stunningly beautiful and the new owners share my passion and enthusiasm for the hospitality industry.

"I have been fortunate to live in Wales for 15 years and I know how special the country is in terms of the fantastic scenery and places to visit."

He continued: "The owners have some very exciting plans in the pipeline to support the local community and attract more visitors to Bala, so watch this space.

"We are determined to be good neighbours and to support the community in any way possible."