Old Pines Hotel & Restaurant is a successful dinner, bed and breakfast (DBB) business with a strong reputation for hospitality, comfort, and quality dining. Owned and operated by Ken and Imogen Dalley since 2004, the business is now offered for sale as they prepare for retirement.
The owners are fully involved in front-of-house operations, supported by a loyal team. The kitchen is led by a head chef, with a sous chef and kitchen porter, both of whom are accommodated on site. Front of house and housekeeping are supported by two full-time cleaning staff and additional seasonal help.
Guests are typically leisure travellers, walkers, or small groups, many of whom return year after year. The emphasis is on providing a complete Highland experience – restful accommodation, high-quality dining, and personal service – all within a peaceful and scenic setting.
Turnover has grown year on year, driven by a strategic focus on DBB packages and incremental pricing improvements.
The hotel offers seven comfortable letting bedrooms, all en-suite, and each thoughtfully presented in a warm and inviting Highland style. The mix includes two family rooms, one twin room and four doubles, providing flexibility for a broad range of guest requirements.
All rooms are located on the ground floor, many with views towards the gardens and Ben Nevis. Guest areas also include a reception area, comfortable lounge with wood-burning stove, and a spacious dining room used for both breakfast and evening service.
Restaurant & Food Offering
The restaurant at Old Pines is open to both residents and non-residents and serves a high-end, small-plate style dinner service each evening from 6pm to 8pm. The menu showcases locally sourced Highland ingredients, crafted with skill and presented in an intimate and unhurried dining environment.
The business aims to attract guests on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis, and also enjoys a strong local following for evening dining. A thoughtful extra is the pick-up and drop-off service offered to nearby non-resident diners, further reinforcing the business’s personal and guest-focused approach.
During the day, light refreshments, teas and coffees are offered, catering to walkers, visitors to the Commando Memorial, and passing trade.
Location
The hotel occupies a prime Highland location just north of Spean Bridge, with far-reaching views to the Ben Nevis range. The property is located off the A82, providing excellent road links to Fort William (20 minutes) and Inverness (1 hour 30 minutes). Spean Bridge also benefits from a railway station on the West Highland Line.
Old Pines is uniquely positioned as the closest hotel to the Commando Memorial, one of the most visited heritage landmarks in the Highlands. The site holds significant emotional and historical value and draws a high level of year-round visitor traffic.
The hotel also lies adjacent to the Great Glen Way, one of Scotland’s most popular long-distance walking routes. Stretching 117 km from Fort William to Inverness, the trail attracts thousands of walkers and cyclists annually. Old Pines is perfectly placed to accommodate Great Glen travellers seeking quality, comfort, and excellent food.
This combination of setting, accessibility and proximity to landmark attractions underpins the hotel’s enduring appeal and future potential.
Key features:
- Beautiful Highland setting with views to Ben Nevis
- Approx. 3 acres of mature pine woodland and landscaped grounds
- Seven letting bedrooms: 4 doubles, 1 twin, 2 family rooms
- Acclaimed restaurant offering refined smallplate dining
- Owners’ retirement sale after 20 years of successful operation
- Strong repeat and agencyled trade with direct booking focus
- Detached staff accommodation chalet with further potential
- High quality commercial kitchen refurbished in 2024 (£30,000 investment)
- Oilfired heating, electric supply to the kitchen, ample car parking with EV charger
