Loch Ness monster bar in Dores goes up for sale

A view from the north-east shore of Loch Ness near Dores, where the Dores Inn is situated. Picture: TSPL

The Dores Inn boasts its own monster-spotting point on the northern shores of Loch Ness.

It is owned by local businessman Iain Cameron and leased by Quintin Stevens and his wife Michelle, who have run the popular inn since 2008.

But now the couple, who also own the Storehouse of Foulis in Easter Ross, are calling time on their association with Dores and Mr Cameron has decided to put the pub on the market.

The now famous picture of the Loch Ness Monster. Picture: Contributed

In 2011, the Stevens revealed plans to close the inn and build a new tourist attraction in its place.

Easter Ross

It was intended to be in a similar vein as their Easter Ross venture but the plans never came to fruition.

Listed in the Lonely Planet earlier this year as one of 50 “undiscovered and overlooked” destinations in Europe, the pub has also proved popular with visitors at the RockNess festival in previous years.

Mr Cameron said: “The business is doing particularly well at the moment. This lease is coming to a natural end.

“I just feel it is best placed for the business to be taken forward by an owner/occupier, or someone who is going to be hands on.

‘Important to the community’

“I hope it is for someone who will make an investment in it and see it run for the next 50 years. The Dores Inn is so important to the community.

“I would like to see enough redevelopment to keep the business going, but I do not think it needs to be any bigger.”

Net turnover for the year ending March 31, 2014, was £847,322.

The inn, believed to date from the mid 19 th century, has always been in Mr Cameron’s family.

Selling agent Euan MacCrimmon, of Strutt & Parker, said: “The sale of the Dores Inn provides a fantastic opportunity to purchase a successful bar and restaurant located on the shores of the iconic Loch Ness.

Potential to expand

“The business has been trading extremely well over the past five years and there remains real potential to expand the business and take advantage of its highly scenic position with loch frontage and its close proximity to the popular city of Inverness.”

The full Lonely Planet entry reads: “While tour coaches pour down the west side of Loch Ness, the eastern shore is relatively peaceful.

“Here you will find Dores Inn, a beautifully restored country pub with a garden that even has its own Loch Ness Monster-spotting point.”