North Coast 500 route could gain drive-through as trio of hotels put up for development

Three Scottish hotels, including one on the North Coast 500 route, which once catered for large numbers of coach tour guests, have been put up for potential redevelopment.

The Garve Hotel is a brownfield site, extending to around six acres in a prominent position on the renowned North Coast 500.

Property professionals said healthcare, leisure and residential were among potential development opportunities for the three establishments – The Glenmorag Hotel in Dunoon, the Garve Hotel in Garve and Mackay’s Hotel in Strathpeffer, together comprising Hart Hotels, which is owned by David Urquhart Group.

The sites are being marketed by property consultancy Colliers International in collaboration with Scottish specialist Graham + Sibbald.

Alistair Letham, a consultant at Graham + Sibbald, said that the Glenmorag and Garve hotels had development land that added to their ability to be converted to alternative uses.

Mackay’s Hotel, which has 54 beds, was developed from two adjacent villas to create a 'sizeable and easily managed tourist business' incorporating a leisure club with swimming pool.

He said: “The Garve Hotel is a brownfield site, extending to around six acres in a prominent position on the renowned North Coast 500.

“For that reason, in addition to its current hotel use, there are a variety of potential options for alternative uses. These include holiday accommodation, a petrol filling station and potentially a drive-through – or even a combination of the three.

“The Glenmorag Hotel is set in a spectacular 12-acre site overlooking the Firth of Clyde. It is located within the settlement zone for the Bute + Cowal Area of the Argyll & Bute Local Development Plan. In particular, the three acres of land to the front of the hotel is specifically identified for housing.”

Robert Smithson of the specialist hotels team at Colliers International said: “All three hotels are well-located and offers are being invited for the portfolio or for the hotels individually.

“However, in addition to attracting interest from hospitality operators they have also been the focus of attention from developers who can see their potential for other purposes such as healthcare, residential, leisure and automotive.”

The three Hart hotels together have a total of 177 letting bedrooms or apartments, and each hotel has a range of dining, banqueting and bar facilities. All hotels have already ceased trading.

Mackay’s Hotel, which has 54 beds, was developed from two adjacent villas to create a “sizeable and easily managed tourist business” incorporating a leisure club with swimming pool.

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