Hotel overlooking Loch Harray on the Orkney Isles seeking new owner
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has brought to the market The Merkister Hotel, overlooking Loch Harray, considered one of the best brown trout fishing lochs in Scotland, on the West of the Main Orkney Isles.
The established hotel is regarded as one of the best small hotels on Orkney and offers a total of 16 en suite guest bedrooms, 13 of which are provided in the main building and the remaining three are found in a separate block, named The Garden Rooms, each including a private terrace with stunning views across the loch. Additionally, the site comprises a lounge bar which is also open to the public, the Skerries restaurant which caters for up to 60 covers, and The Fisherman’s Neuk, a private residents’ lounge.
Externally, the hotel is surrounded by well maintained, lawn gardens and provides access to a pier, boathouse and boat moorings. The hotel also has six fishing boats and outboards, which are also included in the sale.
Orkney is known as a popular fishing destination, drawing visitors from the Scottish mainland and further afield year round, seeing a particularly high number of tourists in the summer months.
Having been family owned and operated by the current owners since 1983, The Merkister is well known amongst locals and visitors, enjoying repeat trade and custom from fishing groups who flock to the Loch of Harray. Current owners, the MacDonald family, have decided to sell the hotel after 36 years in order to semi-retire and partner Lorna Munson comments, “It has given the family over 30 years of happiness, but due to health issues it’s time to pass it on. There is still so much potential and it is a sad time, but whoever takes the Merkister over has a fantastic team going forward.”
Stuart Drysdale, Director at Christie & Co who is handling the sale, comments, “The Merkister Hotel is one of the best small, family owned and operated hotels on the Orkney Isles. Popular with tourists and fishing parties, the level of repeat business is testament to the quality and service provided over 35 years of ownership. The hotel has been maintained to an excellent standard throughout with a full new commercial kitchen added in 2018. As such the property is truly in walk-in condition and ready for a new owner to enjoy operating a successful business set in picturesque surroundings.”
Christie & Co is seeking an asking price of £1,650,000 for the freehold interest of The Merkister Hotel.
