Run your own island boozer! The only pub on Scotland’s ‘sunshine isle’ of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides is up for sale for £650,000
- The Colonsay Hotel in the Inner Hebrides has been listed for sale at £650,000
- Jane Howard, who currently owns the hotel, says it was booked up last year
- She bought the 18th century building with her husband Alex in 2005
- It features nine boutique-style bedrooms, a bar, conservatory and dining room
The only pub on Scotland’s ‘sunshine isle’ – which sees the longest hours of daylight in the country – has been listed for sale at £650,000
The Colonsay Hotel in the Inner Hebrides was built in the 18th Century and features nine boutique-style bedrooms.
Mother-of-two Jane Howard, 59, who runs the hotel with her husband Alex, 59, said it was an opportunity to live and work on ‘one of the most beautiful islands in the world’.
‘This is a really good opportunity for someone to run a business and take the hotel to the next level,’ she said.
‘We’ve enjoyed our time at the hotel and have put a lot of work into it but now it’s time to take a step back and focus on other projects.
The Colonsay Hotel (pictured) in the Inner Hebrides was built in the 18th Century and features nine boutique-style bedrooms
Mother-of-two Jane Howard, 59, who runs the hotel with her husband Alex, 59, said it was an opportunity to live and work on ‘one of the most beautiful islands in the world’. Pictured, views of the island of Jura from the dining room
‘We feel we’ve done our job and now’s the right time to hand this opportunity to someone else. It’d be fantastic for it for someone to keep building it up into a successful business, for example there’s scope to add more rooms.’
The couple bought the hotel in 2005 and have since taken on extensive renovations.
It features a bar, conservatory and dining room and patrons can enjoy stunning views towards the island of Jura – where George Orwell wrote ‘1984’.
Mrs Howard said: ‘The hotel presents a fantastic opportunity to build on an already successful business and take it to the next level on one of the most beautiful islands in the world.
‘The Isle of Colonsay is becoming more and more desirable as a unique tourist destination for guests looking for remote and beautiful landscapes, beaches, ancient history and stunning wildlife.
‘The hotel offers the most comfortable and welcoming base to enjoy the island and huge potential to develop its offering.’
Seller Christie & Co said the hotel ‘enjoys strong levels of trade and is the sole serviced accommodation offering on the island.’
The hotel has nine bedrooms and suites. During the period between July and October last year the rooms were always full, its current owner said
Ms Howard revealed the phone had not stopped ringing as Britons asked about booking staycations once lockdown ends
It added: ‘Located in the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland, Colonsay is renowned for having the longest hours of sunshine and the best white sandy beaches in all of Scotland, making it a highly popular holiday destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.’
Brian Sheldon of Christie & Co, who is handling the sale, said: ‘As the island’s only hotel and pub, the business enjoys excellent occupancy as well as good levels of local trade and is considered to be the hub of the island’s social life.
‘We believe this will be a very successful business for a buyer going into 2021 and beyond.’
Ms Howard revealed the phone had not stopped ringing as Britons asked about booking staycations once lockdown ends.
She added: ‘It’d be an amazing opportunity for either a young couple or older couple whose children have grown up – it’s perfect for a couple looking to make a move to an idyllic island.
It features a bar, conservatory and dining room and patrons can enjoy stunning views towards the island of Jura – where George Orwell wrote ‘1984’
‘Staycations are booming too. When we opened last year in July, we didn’t have an empty bed until we closed again at the end of October.
‘The phone has not stopped ringing, while there’s still some uncertainty about holidays the hotel isn’t short of business.
‘The island has a remarkably beautiful and special landscape. The island is never crowded and you can always find a corner of the beach to yourself.’
The hotel is open from March until October and Ms Howard works on self-catering cottages so ‘would be there to help the new owners if they needed any support’.