Historical seaside hotel with links to the real-life Robinson Crusoe on the market in beautiful Fife location

The hotel, which was favoured by the real-life 'Robinson Crusoe,' is on the market and gives buyers a unique opportunity to acquire a historical property in a beautiful location.

Lower Largo is well known as the birthplace of Alexander Selkirk, the real-life Robinson Crusoe, on whose experiences Daniel Defoe is said to have based his classic tale.

The Fife town has a statue of Selkirk by the Victorian sculptor, Thomas Stuart Burnett, which was put up in 1885.

Clad in goatskins, the stone version of the castaway, who spent four and a half years on an uninhabited South Pacific island after being marooned by his captain, awaits rescue as he scans the horizon.

A signpost at the harbour points to the Juan Fernandez Island some 7,500 distant, where Selkirk impressively not only survived but seemed to thrive.

The connection has made the East Neuk town a draw for literary tourists but it is also a popular short stay destination for holidaymakers looking for a traditional seaside break.

The quayside hotel said to be favoured by the real-life Robinson Crusoe has been put on the market, providing a near unique opportunity for buyers seeking to combine a stunning location with historical character.

Picture: Colliers

The Crusoe Hotel is in a picturesque position by the sea. The castaway theme is echoed throughout the hotel, including a footprint in the bar.

Offered for sale through Colliers International, the Crusoe enjoys a clientele of holidaymakers, commercial visitors and many golfers, with over 20 courses in easy reach of the hotel.

Picture: Colliers

Alistair Letham, director at Colliers International, says: “With the hotel’s location on the harbour quayside, in the favoured East Neuk of Fife and close to St Andrews, the Crusoe Hotel’s availability is a wonderful, indeed possibly rare, opportunity to purchase a well-established and popular business.

“New owners could easily develop it further by putting their own style and stamp on this very attractive establishment.”

One way to develop the theme is perhaps an Alexander Selkirk inspired menu.

Picture: Colliers

The castaway was said to have lived first off catches of spiny lobsters, before troublesome sealions drove him to the island’s interior.

There he had a nutritious diet of meat and milk from feral goats, wild turnips and cabbage leaves.

Picture: Colliers

The original stone building of the Crusoe includes 16 modern ensuite letting bedrooms, as well as two bars, a lounge and the charming Castaway restaurant.

In a poem about Selkirk, William Cowper wrote: “I am master of all I survey” which gave rise to the phrase still in common use.

Picture: Colliers

While the Crusoe Hotel’s new owners might not be able to claim the same, the building certainly offers an interesting opportunity for those who want to try their hand at a new way of life.

The Crusoe Hotel is on the market for offers over £900,000, with Colliers International.