Key Features
Freehold hotel near Dornoch with 6 letting rooms, bar, restaurant, and owner’s accommodation
Prime location on the A9, close to Royal Dornoch Golf Club and tourist routes
Historic building, originally a 19th-century staging post, well maintained and extended
Current trade reduced, offering strong potential for revitalisation and growth
70-cover restaurant with stunning views, plus separate breakfast and private dining rooms
Cosy bar with open fire, seating for 20–30, and space for live entertainment
Outbuildings offer development potential for guest units, staff housing, or studio space
Well-equipped kitchen and service areas; compliant with health and safety regulations
Private 2-bed owner’s quarters with garden, ideal for live-in use
Highlight
Offered at a significantly reduced price, The Trentham Hotel is a substantial and attractive detached property located on the A9 just north of Dornoch. This well-maintained freehold premises presents an excellent opportunity to acquire a sizeable hospitality asset with an established—though currently quieter—trading operation. Ideally positioned in a popular Highland location, the property offers strong potential for future growth.
Description
The Trentham Hotel is a substantial and attractive detached property situated on the A9 just north of Dornoch, offering a prime opportunity to acquire a well-maintained freehold premises with an established – though currently quieter – trading operation.
Originally built in the late 19th century and sympathetically extended over the years, the hotel occupies a prominent roadside position and boasts a wealth of character. The property is well presented throughout, having been continuously improved under the current ownership since 1990.
The business is still trading, albeit at a reduced level, and presents excellent potential for revitalisation and growth under new ownership. Accommodation includes six guest bedrooms, welcoming public areas, and spacious private owner's quarters, making it ideal for hands-on operators seeking a lifestyle business in the Highlands.
The Trentham Hotel represents a rare chance to acquire a freehold hospitality property in a scenic and highly sought-after location, with ample scope to expand and adapt the offering to suit modern demands.
Trade
The Trentham Hotel is supported by a dependable, locally based team, many of whom are long-standing and experienced across all areas of the business. Their flexibility and familiarity with daily operations ensure the hotel runs smoothly, offering reassurance and continuity for any incoming owner.
The hotel trades year-round, with the current owners providing evening meals to both resident guests and local patrons. As is typical in this part of the Highlands, trade naturally slows during the winter months. In response, operating hours are sensibly reduced, and the hotel generally closes for a short period in January to allow for routine maintenance and upkeep.
The Trentham Hotel maintains a solid online reputation, currently holding a 4.3-star rating (Very Good) on TripAdvisor, reflecting consistently positive feedback from guests. The business also operates an active Facebook page, which provides updates, engages with followers, and helps promote seasonal offers, events, and local attractions. These platforms offer a strong foundation for future digital marketing and customer engagement.
Location
The Royal Burgh of Dornoch is placed within the historical county town of Sutherland, overlooking the Dornoch Firth, south towards Tarbat Ness and the Moray Coast and North to Golspie, Brora and Helmsdale. The Trentham Hotel is located about 2.5 miles north of Dornoch on the main A9 arterial route, connecting the north of Scotland with Inverness and the south. Dornoch has a population of about 1300 which swells significantly during the main trading season (Easter to October) due to the high number of tourists and visitors to the area. The county of Sutherland has a population of around 13,000. A designated National Scenic and Conservation Area, Dornoch is a popular and tranquil location with its unique atmosphere, outstanding scenery and the mild micro climate making it a popular visitor attraction for many. The world renowned Royal Dornoch Championship course is a wonderful venue and a challenging test of golfing skills. The course is a ‘must do’ pilgrimage for the committed golfer; the unique setting of Royal Dornoch makes it an aspirational place to play.
Dornoch offers visitors and residents alike a good range of facilities and amenities including shops, hotels, schools and University of the Highlands and Islands facilities plus its Seaside Award as a clean bathing beach. The area has a much broader appeal with walks, fishing, field sports, and water sports all being readily available. There are also a great many places of historic interest within an hours’ drive. The town has some beautiful Sandstone buildings, including the c.13th Century Cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace (now a hotel), the Courthouse and Old Town Jail. The town has a charm and elegance that makes this a very popular residential area. Dornoch is only an hour from Inverness, which has an airport and major transport links. The town of Tain is circa 6 miles away which has an extended range of specialist shops/supermarkets and services.
Accommodation
The Property
The Trentham Hotel was originally built as a staging post for horses on the ‘Poles Road’ which connected Dornoch and Rogart together for many years. The property is a prestigious detached villa of traditional stone construction under a slate roof, with a number of sympathetic extensions. The hotel has been extended to the front providing a large restaurant in which to savour the views whilst enjoying a great meal.
To the rear of the building there are a number of outbuildings. These are of a variable standard and offer the opportunity of an area which could be re-developed, into a family home, a staff accommodation block or perhaps as an external guest space.
Owners Accommodation
The owner’s accommodation is located in a private, secure area to the rear of the hotel. It is accessed discreetly via the dry goods store, situated between the restaurant and public bar. Comfortable and easy to maintain, this self-contained space is ideal for live-in proprietors or on-site management.
Arranged over two floors, the accommodation includes a spacious lounge, large double bedroom, bathroom, and utility room on the ground floor. Upstairs, there is a second double bedroom and a shower room, providing flexibility for family living or guest use.
The wider property benefits from a good level of distributed storage throughout, with dedicated spaces for linen, cleaning supplies, and equipment such as vacuums. There are also separate toilet facilities for guests and staff, supporting efficient and compliant daily operations.
Terms
Reason For Sale
A genuine retirement sale. The business has been operated by the same owner since 1990 and is now offered for sale as they look to retire.
Rates / Council Tax
The non-residential apportionment of the rateable value for the business is £18,000 with £2,500 as residential apportionment at April 2020, property reference number 02/04/048600/8.
Finance and Legal Services
ASG Commercial Ltd is in touch with several lenders who provide specialist finance. We will be delighted to discuss your financing requirements with you and make an appropriate introduction. We have access to a large team of legal experts who can act in all legal matters arising.
Specification
The property is well serviced, benefiting from mains electricity, oil-fired central heating, and electrically heated hot water. LPG gas is used for cooking, and the property is connected to mains water, with a dedicated on-site water treatment system in place for drainage.
The hotel is fully compliant with environmental health regulations and features an integrated, hard-wired fire alarm system throughout. In addition, the building is Wi-Fi enabled, providing full connectivity for both operational needs and guest use.