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Description

Well presented, attractive and traditional, fully licensed Highland Inn. Easily run, profitable business opportunity enjoying year round mixed trade. Strong trading location promently situated on the main A836 north coastal route. Includes spacious flat for resident owners and four good en-suite letting bedrooms.

DESCRIPTION
The Farr Bay Inn was the old Bettyhill Manse prior to its conversion in 1983. It is now an attractive and welcoming Inn enjoying a strong trading location on the A836, the main north coastal route which passes through the village of Bettyhill. The character and charm of the Inn combine with the warm welcome and good facilities to ensure ongoing support from a wide range of clientele. The business is fully licensed and benefits from the year round support of non-residents. The commercial kitchen ably supports a range of dining formality from bar meals to dinners served in the main dining room. In addition to the beverage and catering trade the Inn has four most comfortable, well equipped letting bedrooms which accommodate up to 9 overnight guests. All in all the business enjoys a broad business base, a varied mix of local, tourist, business and passing trade.

The Farr Bay Inn, or “The FBI” as it is fondly known to regular customers, is set in beautiful surroundings in the village of Bettyhill in the Scottish Highlands. Bettyhill is an historic Highland Clearance village which was founded in 1814 by Elizabeth Countess of Sutherland; in her vanity she named the village after herself! Deep seated roots run through this friendly village where a rich tapestry of history proves testament to an evolution from Neolithic times to the modern day. Visitors need not travel far to find an ancient clan castle, Iron Age broch, standing stone circle or chambered burial cairn. The Tourist Information Centre and Strathnaver Museum sit next door to the Inn, the latter offering a great insight into times past.

The north coast is well known for spectacular scenery, none more so than Bettyhill. The nearby Munros of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope are but a flavour of the towering mountains which in turn meet the rugged coastline and superb beaches. Farr Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches on the north coast spreading between the estuaries of the River Borgie and the infamous River Naver. The Borgie, a highland spate river, can be a most productive salmon river yet is more dependent upon rainfall than larger River Naver which meets the sea at Bettyhill. Many an angler regards the River Naver as the best salmon river in Scotland. There is excellent sea-trout fishing in the river estuary and an angling association beat on the river where both visiting anglers and local may fish. The Halladale River lies further east and a plethora of unexploited local hill lochs produce specimen wild brown trout on a regular basis – it is therefore no surprise that the area is a Mecca for anglers – not to mention the top quality sea fishing!

The breathtaking scenery hosts an abundance of wildlife – red deer, grouse, golden eagle, wildcat, badger, pine martin, otters, seals and many, many others which attract the naturalist and ornithologist alike, not forgetting thriving seabird colonies on the coastline. Hillwalking, climbing, golf, surfing, pony trekking, angling and sporting shoots can all be enjoyed by guests.

The village of Bettyhill itself has both a strong community spirit and an excellent infrastructure. With two village stores, post office, modern public swimming pool, museum, and tourist information centre. The village offers exceptional schooling with its own Primary School and the much acclaimed Farr High School.

The present owners purchased the business in 2003. During their tenure they have upgraded and refurbished the Inn, in the process enjoying the lifestyle and rewards that accompany ownership of a successful business. It is their planned retiral from the Licensed Trade to pursue other business prospects that brings this easily run, profitable, home and income lifestyle opportunity to the market.

THE PROPERTY
Built in 1819 the Inn is a substantial, detached property of traditional stone construction under a pitched slate roof with a further small area of flat roofing. Accommodation is arranged over three floors.

PUBLIC AREAS
Neat outside lawn and bench style seating give the Inn a smart outward appeal, the garden area set off the main entry porch which faces the driveway. In practice it is a second exterior door which offers access to the Bar and adjacent Lounge which is used on a day to day basis. The Bar has a great deal of character with a welcoming wood burning stove set into a solid hearth formed from rough hewn stone. The well equipped, smart bar servery offers an excellent range of beverages including draft beer and malt whiskies as would be expected of a Highland Inn and the bar benefits from attractive lantern style lighting, a modern laminate floor and fresh décor.

There is a substantial room off the bar which was previously used as a Games Room with both pool and darts, this has reverted to a storage facility at present yet offers scope for additional trading space. Remaining on the ground floor to the left of the entry doorway is a comfortable Lounge which again has smart laminate flooring, modern wall lights and a high ceiling as would be expected of a property of this stature. The Lounge leads through to the main stairwell and the Dining Room (26). The Dining Room is another spacious and attractive room with an ornate open fireplace, an excellent setting for unhurried dining.

LETTING BEDROOMS
The Inn has 4 Letting Bedrooms to sleep 9 guests. These are all located on the first floor and consist of one triple, two twins and a double bedded room, all which benefit from en-suite facilities. Rooms are comfortably furnished, have central heating, colour television, DVD player and tea / coffee trays.

PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION
The business benefits from a comfortable and private owners flat which is located on the second floor. This has 3 bedrooms and a family bathroom.

SERVICE AREAS
The Inn has a good-sized, well equipped commercial kitchen and washing-up space together with a large cellar, laundry / freezer room, spirit store and administrative office.

GROUNDS
The Inn is set in its own grounds with excellent car parking and access for deliveries. The attractive garden to the front of the property offers bench and table style seating.

SERVICES
Mains electricity and water. Private drainage. Oil fired central heating, Propane Gas.

LICENCES
The business has a full Public House Licence with Regular Extensions.

TRADE
The business currently trades 7 days a week and is VAT registered.
During their tenure the owners have shown a healthy net profit each year, 3 years full accounting information will be made available to genuinely interested parties subsequent to viewing.

PRICE
Offers over £230,000 are invited for the heritable property complete with goodwill and trade contents (according to inventory), excluding personal items. Stock at valuation.

FINANCE & LEGAL SERVICES
ASG Commercial is in touch with several lenders who provide specialist finance to the hospitality trade. We will be delighted to discuss your financing requirements with you and make an appropriate introduction.

We have a large team of legal experts in-house and can act in all legal matters arising to include Conveyancing and Licence Transfers.

DIRECTIONS
The Farr Bay Inn is located in the village of Bettyhill on the main A836 north coastal route.
Inverness 93 miles, John O’Groats 50, Thurso 28, Tongue 8.

VIEWING
All appointments to view must be made through the vendors selling agents:

OFFERS
All offers should be submitted in writing to ASG Commercial with whom purchasers should register their interest if they wish to be advised of a Closing Date.