Hotel News is brought to you by Guarantee Laundries
Independent Scottish hotel group Perle Hotels has become an accredited Living Wage employer, recognising its commitment to paying staff across its five properties in Skye, Oban and Glencoe at least the independently calculated Real Living Wage.
The company has paid the Real Living Wage since April 2025 and increased its minimum basic hourly rate to £13.45 in April 2026, following a 6.75% rise in the benchmark.
At the time, this was 74p above the UK Government’s National Living Wage of £12.71 for employees aged 21 and over.
According to Perle Hotels, 20 employees across the group receive a basic hourly rate of £13.45, while a further 26 receive the same rate plus an additional £1 per hour housing allowance.
The allowance is available to eligible locally based hourly paid employees working in the Highlands and Oban, recognising the accommodation challenges associated with living and working in these areas.
The business has also reviewed other pay bands and salary scales to maintain appropriate differences between roles, taking account of employees’ skills, experience and responsibilities.
The accreditation comes during a period of continued financial pressure for hospitality businesses, with rising employment and operating costs affecting operators across the industry.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary hourly pay benchmark calculated according to the cost of living, rather than the statutory minimum wage.
In October 2026, the Living Wage Foundation announced a further increase in the UK Real Living Wage to £14.10 per hour. Existing accredited employers have until May 2027 to implement the new rate.
Beth Rehman, Owner of Perle Hotels, said:
“We’ve been paying the Real Living Wage since April last year and becoming accredited felt like the right next step for us.
“There’s no question that hospitality businesses are operating in a very challenging environment. Costs have increased significantly across the board, and the latest rise in the Real Living Wage was another substantial increase for employers.
“But our hotels depend on having the best teams. We have fantastic people working across Perle and, despite those wider pressures, continuing to pay the Real Living Wage was important to us.
“We also know that living and working in some of our locations comes with its own challenges, particularly around housing. That’s why we pay an additional housing allowance to eligible employees in the Highlands and Oban and provide subsidised accommodation for employees who need it.
“Becoming accredited gives formal recognition to something we’ve already been doing, and we’re very pleased to have it in place across all of our hotels.”
Alongside its wage commitments, Perle Hotels provides a range of employee benefits, including subsidised accommodation, complimentary gym memberships, free meals during shifts and training and development opportunities.
Employees also have access to an Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential professional support, including up to six free counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy sessions for each eligible issue or incident.
The accreditation comes as the hospitality sector continues to address challenges surrounding employee recruitment, retention and the cost of living, particularly in rural and tourism-dependent locations.
According to the Scottish Government’s 2026 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, approximately 12.1% of employee jobs in Scotland were paid below the Real Living Wage benchmark of £13.45 in April 2026.
The Living Wage movement has continued to expand across Scotland, with more than 4,000 employers accredited and over 76,000 workers expected to benefit from the latest increase in the voluntary pay rate.
Lynn Anderson, Living Wage Scotland Manager, said:
“We’re delighted that Perle Hotels has become an accredited Living Wage employer. They join a growing movement of employers in Scotland who recognise that the security of a Real Living Wage can help create a happier, healthier and more motivated workforce.
“Our Living Wage network includes employers from across all sectors and industries, and we hope to see many more join Perle Hotels in going further than the minimum.”
Perle Hotels operates five properties across the Scottish Highlands and west coast, including hotels on the Isle of Skye and in Oban and Glencoe.
The accreditation provides formal recognition of the group’s approach to employee pay and forms part of its wider commitment to staff welfare, professional development and employment benefits.
Associated Articles
Michelin-Starred Chef Michael Smith Appointed Culinary Director at Perle Hotels
Perle Hotels appointed Michelin-starred chef Michael Smith as Culinary Director and Brand Ambassador, with responsibility for developing the group’s food and beverage operations and supporting its culinary teams.
Michelin-Starred Chef Michael Smith Appointed Culinary Director at Perle Hotels
Perle Hotels Group Honoured with King’s Award for Enterprise
The independent Scottish hotel group received a King’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of its international trade performance and growth across its five-property portfolio.
Perle Hotels group honoured with King’s Award for Enterprise
Manorview Raise Wages to Support Their Team Through the Cost-of-Living Crisis
Scottish hospitality business Manorview increased employee wages above the statutory minimum as part of its Living Wage accreditation and wider commitment to staff welfare.
Manorview raise wages to support their team through the cost-of-living crisis
Hotel News is brought to you by Guarantee Laundries
