DESCRIPTION
Only by viewing can the facilities offered by Smiddy House be fully appreciated. The owners have invested significantly over the years to create this rarely available quality business. Currently operating as a luxury bed and breakfast, the owners have also developed a sound reputation for catering and previously operated “Russell’s Restaurant” providing a dining experience to both guests and non-residents. New owners may decide to continue to offer full catering provision or choose to operate on a bed and breakfast basis only, alternatively a mix of both.
The business is an attractive and well-performing operation located within the heart of the village of Spean Bridge amidst the Great Glen, situated 11 miles north of Fort William on the intersection between the A82/A86. This imposing and striking property benefits from an excellent reputation, offering luxury and spacious accommodation which has been graded as 4-Star (Gold) by VisitScotland and 4-Star AA. The spacious public rooms allow for a flexibility of approach to suit a range of business operation models providing a key selling point.
The letting accommodation within the main building comprises 4 individually designed quality en-suite letting bedrooms which are all finished to an extremely high standard. Set within the grounds is a large detached cottage which has been converted into a luxury letting suite to sleep 6 people. This cottage known as Bryson Suite, could quite easily be converted to owner’s accommodation if required or as a self-catering unit with the addition of a kitchen.
Another attractive feature of this property is the spacious owner’s accommodation which is set within the main building and is self-contained and separate from guest facilities. With two bedrooms, bathroom and comfortable lounge the owner’s living space offers a comfortable relaxing area.
TRADING ASPECTS
The business operates mainly seasonally, opening fully from May to October and open 6 out of 7 days. Over the summer months the customer base is mainly drawn from the many tourists who visit Fort William, and surrounding areas as well as undertake The Great Glen Way. The business also draws in a high level of repeat business and is highly commended on numerous visitor review websites. During the quieter months they trade on a more leisurely basis as required. The flexibility offered by Smiddy House is an attractive benefit to new owners, such is the lay out. The business could trade as a café with rooms, restaurant with rooms, small hotel or on a bed and breakfast basis only, with self-catering cottage. The licensed wet sales and evening meals provide additional income streams but at a leisurely level which could be either dispensed with or increased by new owners to suit.
The current owner’s efforts have generated a well-established business with a strong trading reputation and deserving of 4-Star (Gold) VisitScotland grading. Smiddy House benefits from a modern website, a good social media presence and utilises a number of portal websites. The vast majority of room occupancy is pre-booked and forward bookings are always at a high level.
THE PROPERTY
Smiddy House is an extensive property with a large footprint originally built in 1903. The property exudes many natural features including original fire places, ceiling roses and beautiful cornicing. The main building and cottage are of stone construction with pitched roof. The main property is set over 3 floors and the cottage has 2 floors. Both properties are excellently presented with a high standard of décor and service provision. There is extensive parking situated to the rear of the property that is accessed via a shared driveway.
CUSTOMER AREAS
Access to the property is via a walled garden set to the front of the building. The main entrance leads into a spacious vestibule and thereafter into a reception hallway. From here stairs lead to the first and second floors. To the left is the main dining area set to 22 covers. This charming area has a bay window affording excellent natural lighting. The restaurant has a beautiful original fireplace with tiled hearth and wood mantel. Within the main restaurant is an attractive bar servery. From the right of the reception hallway is a second dining area which is set to 16 covers. Similar in style to the main restaurant, this area also has an attractive feature fireplace. Off this smaller dining area is the bright and comfortable garden room which is set to soft furnishings and offers a most relaxing ambience. To the rear of the hallway are ladies, gents and disabled bathrooms.
LETTING BEDROOMS
An attractive feature of this high-quality establishment is the beautifully presented guest bedrooms which have been individually decorated. All rooms have well-presented en-suite shower rooms and have beautifully appointed, quality fixtures and fittings. The current owners have strived to provide high levels of in-room service in keeping with the demands of the modern-day holiday maker, reflective of their 4-Star status. Room facilities include, satellite TV, hospitality trays, hairdryers and toiletries. Each room has controllable electric heaters and are configured as follows:
Room 1 (Oban) - Family bedroom (1 x double and 1 x single) with en-suite shower room
Room 2 (Jura) - Double bedroom with en-suite shower room
Room 3 (Islay) - Double bedroom with en-suite shower room
Room 4 (Tobermoray) - Double bedroom with en-suite shower room
LUXURY SUITE
The Bryson Suite is a detached 1½ storey bothy style building of stone construction under pitched slate roof. The building was formerly the Smiddy’s workshop but is now beautifully appointed holiday accommodation, offering an excellent and flexible array of sleeping and recreational areas. Formerly a self-catering unit, The Bryson Suite has the necessary fittings to allow a kitchen to be re-installed, returning it into a fully functioning self-contained unit.
Access to the building is via a stable door, into a large lounge area with a feature inset fireplace with stone surround and timber mantel and slate hearth. The lounge is set to leather sofas, coffee table and large TV providing a lovely ambience. There are patio doors from the lounge leading to the enclosed gravel garden set to garden furniture and a private parking place. Off the lounge is a smart double bedroom which also offers patio doors to the garden. A spacious shower room is set to the ground floor. Via a spiral metal stair case access is gained to the attic room which is set to 4 single beds. This open plan area has dormer windows offering ample natural light.
SERVICE AREAS
The business is further supported by a range of well-appointed kitchen facilities, complete with a range of fitted workspaces and appliances plus a commercial extraction unit. The kitchen provides ample work areas for a full commercial operation and has extensive ancillary areas including pot wash area, sweet preparation area plus ample storage space. There is a storage room set behind the bar area in the restaurant. Laundry facilities are located on the first floor plus a store and house-keeping cupboard.
GROUNDS
With excellent roadside signage, Smiddy House is a substantial property with an imposing stature. The subjects have a significant footprint with a well-maintained walled garden to the front aspects, offering outside seating for up to 20 guests. The business benefits from a prominent corner roadside location with high visibility and imposing presence. There is shared access via the side of the property from the main road, leading to ample private parking for up to 15 vehicles toward the rear of the subjects. Within the grounds there is ample general storage. There is also a 4-berth caravan which is available for staff use, if required.
SERVICES
The property benefits from mains electricity, water and drainage. Heating is mainly electric heaters. There are two gas fires in the dining areas which have been disconnected but new owners may wish to reinstate these or alternatively put in a solid fuel replacement. The property has an LPG gas-fired central heating system into the Bryson Suite; LPG gas is also used for cooking in the main building and there are fittings in the suite to allow a kitchen to be reinstalled if required. The business is fully compliant with extant fire regulations and environmental health requirements. The property is double glazed throughout. There is Wi-Fi access. The property has an internal security system.
