300-year-old Highland inn set amidst the Glencoe peaks, and popular bar-restaurant in Fort William, for sale

Clachaig is a former coaching inn located on the old road to Glencoe village and set against the dramatic backdrop of the Glencoe peaks, famous as the filming location for Harry Potter & The Prisoner Of Azkaban (2003) and a popular destination for tourists. The inn shares its name with Clachaig Gully, a deep cleft in the mountainside which rises over 3000 feet from the old coaching road to the summit of Sgurr nam Fiannaidh, Scotland’s 187th highest Munro. 

The inn dates back over 300 years, providing a rest point for travellers heading to and from the Highlands to markets in Perth and further south.

Owners Peter and Eileen Daynes bought The Clachaig Inn in 1984 and undertook a comprehensive programme of modernisation and expansion. This included the refurbishment and further development of both the self-catering chalets, and the letting accommodation, increasing the number of ensuite bedrooms to 23. Their sons, Guy and Ed, followed in their footsteps and have been running and further developing the business since 1990.

Working in conjunction with the BMC, Peter established the Winter Mountain Safety Lectures at Clachaig. Over the years, the sponsored lectures have been attended by thousands of hill goers, and this winter celebrated their 40th anniversary, with entry still free of charge to this day.

Clachaig also quickly developed a reputation for cask conditioned ales. Beer festivals have been a fixture of the annual calendar for decades, with month-long FebruaryFest and Octoberfest taking place every year, and live music session nights with local musicians hosted weekly throughout the year.

The inn is located around half a mile from the A82, the main artery road from Glasgow and the Central Belt through to Fort William, the north west Highlands and gateway to the islands.

Also owned by the family, The Grog & Gruel is a popular alehouse in the centre of Fort William, around 20 miles from the Clachaig Inn.  The property is located on the main high street, which sits at the foot of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles which attracts tourists, hikers and climbers throughout the year.  The Grog & Gruel comprises a traditional ground floor bar, and a restaurant on the first floor, along with a fully fitted commercial kitchen and a beer garden to the rear.

Ed and Guy Daynes commented, “Clachaig is more than just an inn, it’s an institution. There’s always been something very special about the place and the experiences that it creates. It’s been a family home for three generations of the Daynes family, and deciding to sell has been the hardest of decisions to make, but the time has come to find a new custodian.  

“Things have come a long way over the years, from operating a ten-week season with just two full time staff, to the year-round multi-million-pound business that it is now.

“Our drive behind opening The Grog & Gruel was to bring great beer and good food to Fort William, and there’s always been a great synergy between the businesses. Running the two businesses side by side made so much sense, adding a further dimension to the business. 

“It feels like the right time to step back, and the search begins for someone else with the vision and passion to take the business onto its next chapter.”

Brian Sheldon, Regional Director – Hospitality at Christie & Co, is managing the sale, along with Tony Spence, Associate Director. Brian commented, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire The Clachaig Inn and The Grog & Gruel, both of which have been owned and operated by the same family for over 30 years.

“Whilst trading as two separate businesses, the same ethos has been applied to both.  Their locations, in Glencoe and Fort William, allow both businesses to benefit from trade from the many visitors who are attracted to this popular part of Scotland.  There is great benefit to owning and operating both businesses, which are similar but offer something different: The Grog & Gruel offers more of a ‘town’ appeal, while Clachaig offers a much more rural outlook and feel, while both are renowned for the same quality of food and hospitality.”

Both businesses are being sold as a package, with a freehold asking price of £4,500,000.

To find out more, visit the property page online here: https://www.christie.com/6846692/

For further information on this press release, contact:
Jasmine Davis, Corporate Communications Manager
P: +44 7561 115179
E: jasmine.davis@christie.com

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