Beach cocktail bar on the Isle of Arran sold to first-time buyer

Boasting excellent reviews online and renowned for brewing its own gin, cassis and botanical beers, the rustic and quirky bar is known as Scotland’s only cocktail bar on a beach. Internally, the venue can accommodate around 25 seated, and the large log burner creates a warm, cosy atmosphere on cold winter days.

Outside the property there is seating and a year-round outdoor fire pit. Cladach Beach House also features a 'Tiki Style' outdoor bar hut, used to serve and showcase cocktails during sunny days and utilised for food pop ups.

Situated just off the A841 on one of Scotland’s most accessible islands, the Isle of Arran, the business benefits from around 400,000 visitors to the island each year as well as a supportive local community. The island hosts a wide variety of independent hotels, restaurants and bars and is very popular for both short and long stay breaks.

After opening the business in 2019 alongside owning Isle of Arran Gin, the owner of Cladach Beach House, Stuart Fraser, decided to sell to focus on another hospitality business located on the island.

Stuart said, “Having been through the buying and selling process a few times in small business ventures, it was refreshing to work with a commercial estate agent focussed on guidance and support. We were given confidence and transparency throughout which was in the end much appreciated.”

Iain McAlpine, who has bought the property, is a first-time buyer in the hospitality sector who is excited for this new business venture.

He added, “It has been a long-held ambition to own and operate a lifestyle orientated business. Operating this scenic beach bar will allow me to share my passion for the amazing produce available from independent suppliers located throughout the UK to the people of Arran, and those wise enough to visit!”

Tony Spence, Associate Director – Hospitality at Christie & Co, who managed the sale process, commented, “This sale demonstrates the continued appetite for high-quality, experience-led hospitality assets across Scotland’s island markets. Cladach Beach House is a standout offering with a strong brand, loyal customer base and excellent trading location, which generated significant interest throughout the process. We are pleased to have secured a successful outcome for our client and look forward to seeing the business continue to thrive under new ownership.”

Cladach Beach House was sold at an undisclosed sum, off a freehold asking price of offers over £175,000.

For further information on this press release, contact: