The Halladale complex is situated close to the village of Melvich and highly convenient for guests wishing to utilise the range of nearby shops and services, being situated on one of the most popular routes for those wanting to undertake the John O’Groats to Lands End challenge. The busy and popular village of Melvich sits on the northern-most coast of Sutherland close to the town of Thurso. The area has long been a Mecca for the field sports enthusiast. Not only does the area host this impressive range of top salmon rivers, it is a prime Scottish destination for wild brown trout angling. Sea fishing from Scrabster harbour at the estuary of the Thurso River offers an alternative to game angling, these opportunities combining to offer year round sport.
The main building originates from circa 1890 and is a developed croft house which has now been operated as a hospitality business for 30 years. Built from stone with a pitched slate roof there is a sympathetic extension to the rear built in 1981. Through a vestibule, the front entrance leads into a traditional ‘L’ shaped bar with table seating for 24; the service of bar meals is a strong income driver of the business. There is a significant presence of traditional wood fittings and quality tartan carpet throughout the bar. This coupled with a welcoming and original solid fuel fireplace provide a high degree of character and warmth. The bar servery is located in a good position of vantage providing good access to the service areas to its rear. An area is set aside for a pool table and additionally there is a darts board, gaming machine and jukebox which are a key attraction to holiday makers. The bar retains it own WCs for both gents and ladies.
Through the bar is a spacious restaurant which is put to good use for many community activities such as meetings for the Coastguard and Young Famers. With disabled access directly from the car park and disabled facilities, the restaurant can comfortably seat up to 40 covers but has a partition screen to facilitate a cosier environment for smaller gatherings. With good visibility over the wild countryside and tasteful wall lights, the restaurant is a bright and commodious room. Located within this area is a spacious office with a robust safe. The Inn has a hard-standing car park which can accommodate 15 cars.
The public areas are serviced from a modern and ergonomically laid out commercial kitchen with an excellent extraction system and a good level of support equipment, plus a new floor (2012). With excellent built-in storage units, a large dry goods store and a utility room, the kitchen is capable of a high level of food production. A spacious, newly fitted out cellar with a ‘python cooler’, with both shelving and wine racks provides adequate and secure storage for alcoholic and soft beverages. A secondary office counter gives an area to prepare bills etc. The Inn benefits from double glazing throughout and electric heating.
CARAVAN AND CAMPING AREA
The caravan, motor home and camping pitch has a license for 19 units, including 13 hook-up points for caravans and motor homes, within an area of approximately 3250 metres square. This well-maintained 3-star facility has a good quality utilities building. This includes 2 washing machines and 2 tumble dryers, both of which are key-controlled from the main Inn. In addition there are spacious ladies and gents ablutions with showers units. Within the area there is power provision for pitches.
SELF-CATERING CHALETS
The third income stream to this business is derived from the self-catering chalets which are constructed from timber frame and block-work, with pitched roof. The 2 units are presented in a semi-detached format, each with 2 large bedrooms (one twin and one double), a bathroom, kitchenette and living area. The chalets can accommodate 6 persons through the use of sofa-beds. The chalets are furnished to a good standard and are a popular with touring guests. Set in spacious grounds, there is scope to develop this aspect of the business further by adding additional units (subject to planning consent). The area of ground in which the chalets are presented is in the region of 2500 metres square.
OWNER’S ACCOMMODATION
The owners now have a 3-bedroom bungalow which has a through Kitchen/ diner/lounge. One bedroom has an en-suite shower room and a separate sitting area plus there is an additional shower room.
GROUNDS
The Halladale Inn benefits from a prime roadside trading location, with a significant property footprint. The Inn has parking for 15 cars to the side of the building. A sitting out area is provided for guests to the side of the main Inn building set to two four-seated tables.
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
As previously alluded to, there is scope to develop out the available land further providing additional chalets or possibly building owner’s accommodation. There is no doubt that new owners could develop each aspect of the business further.
SERVICES
Mains electricity and water. LPG gas. Private drainage.
Agents: ASG Commercial, Inverness - York House, 20 Church Street, Inverness, IV1 1ED
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