Strathy Inn , , Strathy, Thurso, KW14 7RY
not specified / Leisure / Hotel
For Sale
- £435,000.00
Available - Last updated: 07 July 2025
Key Features
An attractive, fully licenced Inn located in a beautiful trading position on the NC500
Offers a traditional snug bar with 3 attractive and individual letting bedrooms, external seating areas and generous guest parking
Trades throughout the year generating good profitability and turnover
Various exciting development opportunities available
Pleasant and comfortable owners accommodation together with well-equipped service areas
Highlight
Charming Inn featuring a bar, restaurant, comfortable owners accommodation, and exciting development potential, ideally situated on the popular NC500 tourist route in Thurso.
Description
Strathy Inn is a striking detached property. Parts of the Inn date from 1810 when used as a coaching Inn and subsequently extended to meet the growing demand for accommodation and food. The business is located on the stunning northern Coast of Sutherland at the side of the A836, and benefits from being directly on the North Coast 500. With wild but beautiful scenery, beaches and wildlife on the Inn’s doorstep, this is a tranquil and peaceful place. The front of the building looks south with stunning view to hills and moorlands of Sutherland, whilst the North of the building overlooks the North Atlantic and to Orkney.
The Inn is well-known and enjoys a good reputation for the quality of the provision offered. With a great standing as evidenced on various review sites, there is no doubt that the purchase of the Strathy Inn offers an exciting opportunity. The business normally trades year-round, with the majority of trade occurring during the main tourist season (April to October). This welcoming Inn offers guests a high standard of accommodation.The three letting bedrooms are all individually finished to a beautiful standard. The opportunity to relax in a comfortable outside space makes the most of the beautiful location.
Trade
The current owners do most of the work themselves, using occasional/casual staff in the summer months to supplement their input where required. The business has usually operated all year except closing for a few days here and there to allow the owners some down time. Currently the owners open the bar six days a week and trade two of the three bedrooms with changeovers six days per week, with a Monday off. The bar and restaurant have been opened for limited hours over the winter months but an increase in opening could increase profits considerably.
The current owners have their own web site, http://www.strathyinn.com. They are listed on TripAdvisor with a 4.5 rating. The hotel has its own active Facebook page.
Location
The Inn is situated within the village of Strathy, on the A836, located above the mouth of the Strathy River and overlooking some stunning scenery including Strathy Bay. The site is very centrally situated on the North Coast 500 and ideal for any John O’Groats to Lands’ End challenge avoiding main roads. The village of Strathy emerged in the late 19th century as the north coast was populated by families forcibly displaced during the Highland Clearances. Strathy is located close to the town of Thurso. This region has long been a Mecca for the outdoor sports enthusiast. Not only does the area host an impressive range of top fishing rivers and lochs, it is a prime destination for all outdoors sports, particularly surfing and many watersports. The northern coastline boasts an impressive array of spectacular beaches, hill climbing, walking and family activities - all of which have greatly increased in popularity with the success of the NC500 touring route.
Sutherland is an area rich in wildlife, home to herds of wild red deer, sea life and a multitude of bird species amongst others. Ornithologists are frequent visitors to the county, attracted by the golden eagle, hen harrier, peregrine falcon, short eared owl, puffins and numerous other birds of prey; all of which can be seen at the nearby Forsinard RSPB site or local coastal areas. There are many tourism options to keep visitors interested and entertained. From John O'Groats to Durness on the North West coast, Strathy is perfectly centrally located for easy access to both coastlines. A day trip to Orkney is within easy reach, as are numerous sites of archaeological interest and visitor centres such as the Castle of Mey. The nearby town of Thurso offers a wide range of shops, restaurants and facilities. Primary School aged children go to Melvich Primary School, some 4 miles away with Senior Schooling at Farr High School (North Coast Campus) in Bettyhill, some 12 miles away.Accommodation
The Property
The Strathy Inn is a substantial detached villa set in spectacular rural environment. The central part of the Inn dates to the early 1800s when the site was developed as a Coaching Inn to service the newly laid north coast road. Some parts of the building to the east may pre-date this. Others, such as the front porch and the kitchens at the back, were added later. The building is predominantly of stone walls and with a slate roof. A number of extensions and some internal reorganisation has occurred over the years to convert the Inn into what we see today. There are a number of parts to the building, working from west to east; the barn, the letting accommodation, owners’ accommodation, bar / restaurant, five bed house and the bothy. Each of the developed areas are well considered and arranged, with the undeveloped areas offering great development opportunities. The surrounding grounds are laid to grass or gravel to facilitate low maintenance.
Owners Accommodation
The current owners accommodation is located in two separate areas within the south east end of the building and is arranged to suit their needs. If required, the area could be reconfigured to add more letting rooms. The accommodation comprises of three pleasant double bedrooms and a spacious bathroom on the first floor whilst on the ground floor there is a comfortable lounge, office and domestic kitchen. There is access into the commercial kitchen from the owners accommodation, facilitating easy movement between the various areas of the building.
Five Bed House
This building was originally built in the 1970’s and was taken to a certain point before construction stopped. At one stage the building was wind and water tight with the 1st floor being occupied by staff. The ground floor has never been occupied. At some point before the current owners bought the property the building was allowed to deteriorate. Currently the windows, possibly significant sections of the roof, and some internal areas which had previously been fitted out, will require to be reconditioned. This building is typical of its time, being constructed from a timber kit with a rendered blockwork and external weather skin with a tiled roof. The weather skin does appear to be sound. Anyone taking on this property with the view of completing the development would be advised to have it surveyed and then verified with the statutory authority as to what would need to be undertaken to complete the build.
Barn
The barn is currently used for storage. It measures circa 7.6m x 4.2m internally and would ideally make a one bed studio self-catering unit. The building is currently neither insulated nor lined and there would be some work required to bring it up to standard. However, the structure does appear to be sound, so presents an opportunity should new owner desire.
Bothy
The bothy is a stone construction lean-to, attached the to 5 bed house. It measures approximately 3.7m x 3.9m and represents a further development opportunity for new owners as it could be developed into a king suite type of self-catering room. We understand that there is capacity with the main building to serve this property. As it stands, the enclosure needs a reasonable level of work and it is anticipated significant work would be required on the roof but it is a further opportunity to develop the business.
Static Caravan
There is a 2 bed traditional static caravan which has been used as letting accommodation in the past. It appears in reasonable condition so could be easily freshened up, thus possible providing staff accommodation, if desired. The bedding is set to a double and twin. The caravan has an open plan kitchen / dining / lounge area and shower room.
Terms
Reason For Sale
Having bought the property in 2007, the current owners successfully developed the business into the successful operation it is today. It is now their wish to retire that brings this attractive business to the market.
Rates / Council Tax
The rateable value of the business is £10,500 as at April 2023 and benefits from a 100% discount under the Small Business Bonus Scheme for eligible businesses.
Finance and Legal Services
ASG Commercial Ltd is in touch with a variety of different lenders who can provide specialist finance. We will be delighted to discuss your financing requirements with you and make an appropriate introduction where appropriate. We also have many contacts in the legal profession who can assist in all legal matters arising.
Specification
The property benefits from mains electricity, oil heating and hot water, LPG gas for cooking, mains water and dedicated septic tank drainage. The inn complies with environmental health requirements, has a fully compliant smoke alarm system and is Wi-Fi enabled throughout.
Property Quote Price(s)
| Description | Sale type | Guide price | Price type |
| Strathy Inn |
For Sale Freehold
|
£435,000.00
| NA |
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