Landmark hotel goes up for sale

The 47-bedroom Lochalsh Hotel in Kyle of Lochalsh is being marketed with an asking price of 825,000 as its owners get ready to retire.

The hotel, which has a commanding location on the waterfront and has an annual turnover of over 500,000, has already attracted interest from potential buyers.

Jeff Collins, head of agency at Inverness-based selling agent Allied Souter and Jaffrey, said: "There is lots of scope for this business as we continue to see a boom in the number of tourists visiting the area.

"The West Highlands is also among the UK's most exciting destinations for outdoor pursuits, so there's lots of potential to market to advertise to enthusiasts."

Until the road bridge opened in 1995, a ferry to Skye left from the slipway by the Lochalsh Hotel taking vehicles and passengers to Kyleakin.

The hotel was originally a lodge owned by Sir Alexander Matheson. His son Sir Kenneth Matheson sold it to the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company in about 1897 when the Highland Railway from Inverness reached Kyle.

It was still owned by the company in 1930, and reportedly still using oil lamps and candles. It was then called the Station Hotel and changed its name in the 1950s after being enlarged.