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Inn changes hands but nothing changes - Evening Express - 19th Feb 2002

One of the North-east's best loved seafood restaurants is set to change hands.

The picture postcard Creel Inn at Catterline, near Stonehaven, is on the brink of being sold.

But the prospective new owners today vowed to carry on the unique traditions which have made the cliff top tavern such a success.

"We have agreed a deal to sell the hotel," said owner/chef Robert Cleaver. "It should be signed, sealed and delivered within days." He added "The couple who are taking over are from Stonehaven and are keen to keep things exactly the way they have been."

This will include the Creel's special system for ordering the freshest possible seafood. Every morning Robert looks down to the tiny harbour and sends a hand signal to the boat below. "I stand on the beer garden table and wave down my order to the fisherman," he said. "If I want crab I do a sideways movement and hold up my hand to show them how many I want.

"Mine-host Robert and Wife Jackie, will continue running the Creel until June 18 - and then stay in the kitchen for a further two months to oversee the transition.

The new owners are relishing the prospect of taking over, but want to keep their identity under wraps for now. The new anonymous owner said: "It is pretty much a done deal - but I haven't told all my family and friends yet.

The Inn was built in 1837 and is perched four miles south of Stonehaven, on the clifftop, the Catterline landmark voted one of Scotland's top eateries.