Managing Partner James Watson

I grew up in the hospitality industry with my family and joined the Galloway Arms Hotel in 2004 as Managing Partner, excited by the potential the hotel had. I strive daily for the team to be as good as we can be, and for us all to work hard in our level of service and customer satisfaction. We are a small family run hotel who fight for every customer we get against the many cut price competitors in budget accommodation chains, budget pub chains, cut price supermarket liquor prices, and difficult economic times for holidaymakers.We will never have the same Sales and Marketing spend as these players, and we need to convince people that we offer value for money with the best, fresh ingredients we can get at the best price we can sell it for, so it is my belief that we need to make an even better job of taking care of our customers.

Partner Pat Watson

I have worked in hospitality for over four decades and re-opened The Galloway Arms Hotel with my late husband back in 1996. I was born and raised in Crocketford and was delighted to return to the village which I feel truly at home in. After 15 years, I consider the hotel itself my home and my regular customers friends. I would have to say that I’m ‘old school’ and believe that the kitchen is the heart of the hotel and a smile goes a long way. Our customers come here to relax and have a good time, and we do all that we can to ensure that when they leave, they leave happy.

Partner Jodie Watson

My experience in hospitality and customer service began over 20 years ago working as the Functions Supervisor for the Sheraton Hotel in Melbourne, although my career has primarily been in service management and corporate management roles.I hold a Bachelor of Applied Science, Diploma of Business Management and an MBA and am putting my knowledge to good use in managing the financial, marketing and employment aspects of the Hotel. It has been a return to this industry for me, and one which has been incredibly rewarding as I join my husband and mother-in-law in striving toward our vision for the future of The Galloway Arms as a place built upon tradition with a contemporary relevance and good old fashioned service.

Head Chef Peter Forster

Having been a chef for almost 30 years, it is with great pride that I joined the team in January 2010 to support the vision for the future of the Galloway Arms Hotel within the Dumfries and Galloway community. I pride myself in using only the finest local ingredients that Dumfries and Galloway and greater Scotland have to offer, whether it be sea bass on the menu caught this morning from nearby Kirkcudbright by our local fisherman or venison farmed just up the road at the Craigadam Organic Estate. I have such a passion for food and giving our customers the best possible produce to ensure we offer the best we can and make your visit a memorable one.

Our Barman George Maxwell

I have worked and lived in Crocketford for over 16 years and thoroughly enjoy the diversity of our customers in the Bar throughout the seasons. Everyone is welcome and it really is like a second home – rightly or wrongly! We pride ourselves on making everyone welcome, from the regular holidaymakers at Brandedleys Holiday Park in the village, to our local residents, regular diners and travellers passing though on their journey further afield.