Bridge Hotel, Helmsdale For Sale

6th July 2011

A fantastic opportunity to acquire a successful highland hotel business has come to the market through one of Scotland's leading property consultants CKD Galbraith.

Named after its outstanding location overlooking the River Helmsdale, one of Scotland's finest salmon rivers, the Bridge Hotel is a beautifully refurbished property in the Highland town of Helmsdale in Sutherland.

The hotel was originally built as an Inn in 1816 and has recently undergone an extensive renovation project being refurbished to an extremely high standard throughout, whilst retaining the property's original character.

The reception sets the scene for the rest of the hotel, exuding elegance and warmth with its open fireplace, collection of stag heads and traditional furnishings including Caithness slate and an ornate wooden staircase. A fascinating collection of Persian carpets and over 200 original prints and oil watercolours also decorate the hotel throughout.

On the first floor is the magnificent residents' lounge, a large Victorian room boasting an original open fireplace and a spectacular collection of stag heads. Immediately below on the ground floor is the excellent function room which has direct access to the walled garden which lends itself well as a beer garden in the summer months as well being able to house a marquee which could be used in conjunction with the function room to host weddings and formal gatherings.

The additional Green Stag restaurant has become a well established and renowned business in its own right specialising in serving fresh local produce including fish and game. With a separate lobby lounge, lounge bar, dining room and breakfast rooms, guests can enjoy refreshments no matter what occasion whether it be a formal dinner or a more relaxed affair.

Guests have the choice of 19 bedroom suites, all decorated and furnished to a very high standard with en-suite facilities. The highlight of this accommodation is the Presidential Suite which includes a large bedroom, sitting room and bathroom. There are also five staff bedrooms and two staff bathrooms for those who wish to live on site.

James Carnegy-Arbuthnott, who is handling the sale for CKD Galbraith, said: "The original features and delightful charm combined with newly fitted and high quality furnishings offers an appealing highland business and the perfect platform for a couple seeking a change in lifestyle.

"The Bridge Hotel offers a rare opportunity to live in a beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands whilst making a living from your chosen property, and presenting an alluring alternative to the professional life in the big cities."

Moving outside, the grounds offer the opportunity for further self catering accommodation which could be developed subject to planning consent. Additional outbuildings include a useful rod room, the boiler room and underground oil and gas storage tanks.

The hotel currently has a full seven day alcohol licence as well as a wedding licence. It is trading well and the combination of the excellent condition of the building and the existing holiday, fishing, stalking, corporate and wedding trade provides a superb proposal for expansion and growth.

Ideally situated just off the main Inverness to John O'Groats Road, 35 miles south of Wick and about 68 miles north of Inverness, the Bridge Hotel capitalises on the healthy salmon fishing trade that the Helmsdale River draws, whilst the town itself, originally developed as a fishing port, continues to attract a lot of tourists exploring the Highlands.

A guide price of £925,000 has been set for the Bridge Hotel which includes all the furniture, fixtures and fittings.