A historic Scottish castle in a spectacular coastal location.

Transcription

1 WICK CAITHNESS

2 WICK CAITHNESS Wick 2 miles John O Groats 15 miles Thurso 22 miles Inverness 105 miles (All distances are approximate) A 15th century tower, significantly extended in the 19th century and extensively refurbished and renovated in the 21st century. Former stable block converted to additional luxury accommodation, along with function / catering facilities, separate cottages and a magnificent tree house suite. A high quality business with the capability of operating as a hotel, exclusive use, corporate, wedding or entertainment venue. Set in 30 acres of its own grounds with a lease of shooting and fishing rights over an adjoining 3,000 acres. Beautiful private gardens to front and side. A historic Scottish castle in a spectacular coastal location. Knight Frank LLP Scotland Residential 80 Queen Street Edinburgh EH2 4NF Tel: +44 (0) edres@knightfrank.com Knight Frank LLP Hotels & Leisure 55 Baker Street London W1U 8AN Tel: +44 (0) hotels@knightfrank.com These particulars are intended only as a guide and must not be relied upon as statements of fact. Your attention is drawn to the Important Notice on the last page of the text.

3 4 SITUATION 5 Ackergill Tower is remote but easily accessible - Wick Airport is under 3 miles from Ackergill Tower, which, via either Aberdeen or Edinburgh, provides flight links to London and other airports. Alternatively there is a scenic drive from Inverness airport or there is a railway station at Wick. The local area offers a range of different attractions and tourist sites and there are strong relationships in place to provide tours and visits that are exclusive to Ackergill Tower. These include: The Old Pulteney Distillery - an award winning whisky distillery famous for its 21-year old single malt and one of the few that still bottle by hand. Ring of Brodgar - Orkney Islands Golf - there are three courses within 30 miles, one of which offers midnight golfing in the summer. Royal Dornoch and Brora are within an hour and a half s drive. Wick - a town with a fascinating history, once a thriving fishing port that provides an insight into life in the far north of Britain. The Orkneys - a collection of around 70 islands that offer stunning scenery, wildlife and ancient history in abundance. John O Groats - just 15 miles from the Tower. Dunnet Head - the most northerly place on mainland Britain. John O Groats Wildlife tours and natural reserves. Historic castle tours - including the Castle of Mey, the most northerly inhabited castle on the British mainland, famously home to the late Queen Mother. Hiking - including along the stunning coastline, from Dunnet Head to the Great Stacks of Duncansby and the remarkable Whalligoe Steps. Milepost sign at John O Groats

4 6 KEY INVESTMENT THE PROPERTY 7 HIGHLIGHTS The original Ackergill Tower is believed to date from 1475 Well invested with low levels of maintenance capex required going forward. High level of operational infrastructure. Experienced management teams & staff structures in place to support growth. Significant marketing and PR investment with database of guests to deliver future growth. Fast growing from a standing start as a hotel operation in mid Synergies for established operators. and over the centuries has been steeped in an interesting history. It was significantly extended in the mid-19th century by the famous Scottish architect David Bryce and, in the 1980s, the Tower was restored to its deserved grandeur. The current owners purchased Ackergill Tower in 2009 and have progressively improved and renovated the property, including the provision of additional accommodation in the adjacent former stables and the creation of a superb conference/function facility for up to 200 guests. In addition to the uniqueness of the property itself and its accessible location, Ackergill Tower can offer real flexibility of use. It can operate as either a traditional country house hotel business, an exclusive use wedding/party venue or a corporate launch and/or conference venue. Some of the properties can be used for self-catering accommodation whilst the main Tower remains as the core hotel business. The main elements of the property can be summarised as: Ackergill Tower (over 5 floors + cellar). Ceilidh Hall. Smugglers Inn. Six cottages: - Sunshine & Seashore Cottages (sleeps x4). - The Beach House (sleeps x10). - The Stables (sleeps x10). - Europe s largest Treehouse (sleeps x2). - Garden Cottage (sleeps x4 current GM accommodation). - The Smiddy (sleeps x2). Bothy & Boathouse. Large storage barns for logs and garden equipment. 30 acre grounds and gardens from the edge of the sea to entrance gates along a mile-long drive. Includes a Victorian walled garden, woodlands, formal lawns, private gardens and the oval park (the Heart ) in front of the Tower in which two B-listed dovecotes are located.

5 8 THE TOWER 9 From the main road, the mile long driveway leads to the oval park in front of the main Tower with the driveway sweeping round to the main entrance. PUBLIC AREAS The main entrance door leads into a vaulted ceiling Entrance Hall and Gun Hall. On the ground floor, there are two comfortable private lounges - the Smoking Room and adjoining Writing Room. Also on this floor are a Billiard Room, a private Dining Room and a retail shop. Located on the first floor of the Tower is the highly impressive Great Hall - the principal Dining Room/function space with panelled walls, original ornate high vaulted ceiling and 2 large inglenook fireplaces. Alongside is the equally impressive Drawing Room with fireplace and bay windows and the attractive Morning Room with sea views and fireplace. SERVICE AREAS On the ground floor, there is the main kitchen with supporting prep area, dry store, walk in chiller and other storage areas, and a Manager s Office which adjoins the shop. In the courtyard is the Estate Office and stairs leading to two further offices. The first floor houses a laundry store room, finishing kitchen and pantry. On the lower ground floor are the Staff Room, lockers, main laundry and Boiler Room. The Wine Cellar, Boot Room, Store Room and IT/ Communication Room are all located within the cellar of the main Tower. Luxury Highland Castle The Great Hall

6 10 THE TOWER 11 LETTING BEDROOMS There are 17 refurbished letting bedrooms to sleep 33 in the Tower. All are individually decorated and furnished to a very high standard and all benefit from en-suite facilities. The bedrooms are arranged over 5 levels from the first to the fifth floor. Overall there are a total of 32 bedrooms to sleep 67, which can be summarised in the table below. Executive Tower Room The Drawing Room Room Type Quantity Summary Classic 5 Classic Rooms are the smallest rooms and typically have double beds and a shower. Deluxe 11 Deluxe are larger rooms, with King Size beds, more furniture and frequently with shower over the bath. Executive 9 Executive rooms have more space, better facilities, larger beds and frequently a separate shower and bath. Junior Suite 1 A Junior Suite is one of the largest rooms and will include a seating area with armchairs and/or settee. Superior Suite 6 Superior Suites are the most spectacular rooms with unique facilities, the best views and separate seating areas. Total Bedrooms 32 Please note a sofa bed is available in Beach House and Loose Boxes (Stables) has a sofa bed with en suite shower. Sleeps 67 The Smoking Room First Floor Landing Executive Tower Room Executive Tower Room

7 12 THE OLD STABLE BLOCK 13 The former stable block and associated buildings have been converted to provide a range of luxury letting accommodation as well as a bar, catering and function facilities. SMUGGLERS INN An atmospheric pub situated next to Ceilidh Hall.

8 14 THE STABLES 15 A modern conversion providing spacious open plan living / dining room / kitchen along with 4 impressive, individual bedroom suites.

9 16 17 CEILIDH HALL Ceilidh Hall is a stunning function room (catering for up to 200 people). Within Ceilidh Hall are the former Loose Boxes housing a reception / private dining room with direct access to the seafront. There is a central kitchen which serves the Hall and Smugglers Inn.

10 18 TREE HOUSE 19 Located in the Victorian walled garden, the substantial Tree House is built amongst and incorporated within the trees and provides spacious accommodation for a luxury bridal suite, comprising a semi-circular living room area with bathroom alongside a separate kitchen and a circular bedroom at the upper level. The Tree House can also be used as a private conference facility. An outside terrace adds to the appeal of this truly unique bedroom suite.

11 20 OTHER PROPERTIES 21 SUNSHINE AND SEASHORE COTTAGES A well-appointed cottage conversion to create 2 individual bedroom suites, each with separate lounge, sharing a central Kitchenette. KEEPER S COTTAGE A cottage conversion with impressive sea views comprising sitting room, kitchen and 3 en-suite bedrooms. THE SMIDDY A conversion of the former smiddy to one en-suite bedroom. GARDEN COTTAGE Situated just off the driveway is a cottage that has been converted to create 3 bedrooms (1 en-suite and 2 with shared bathroom), living room and kitchen/diner. THE BEACH HOUSE Situated on the boundaries of the property, The Beach House has its own garden and small paddock. Converted from the former estate kennels, this property provides spacious and attractive accommodation of entrance hallway, living room, dining room, sun lounge, kitchen and 5 en-suite bedrooms with uninterrupted sea views. The Beach House Sunshine & Seashore Cottages The Beach House The Beach House The Beach House

12 22 PUBLIC AREAS GARDEN 23 Capacities Approximately 30 acres are included with Ackergill Tower, which includes the oval park to the front of the Room Dining Theatre Standing Corporate Cabaret main tower, in which 2 Victorian Dovecotes are located and the Victorian walled garden. There are also large storage barns for logs and garden equipment. Ceilidh Hall Seaview Great Hall Smugglers Inn Smugglers Snug Helens Courtyard Bothy Drawing Room Tree House Old Smoking Room Clarence Room Morning Room Writing Room GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES The owners have identified a number of growth opportunities as follows: Ackergill Tower is on the North Coast 500 route which continues to attract increased visitor numbers to the area. Growing international trade through work with international agents. Continued and/or accelerated growth through utilisation of established guest database. Further development of sites creating additional bedrooms and entertaining space. Rollout of the brand by acquiring additional properties that fit within the portfolio. Development opportunities to attract visitors including: Spa and gym development. Ceilidh Hall Old Dipper has listed building consent to develop and create large spa and gym facilities. Spa development should help attract a wider cross penetration of guests. Initial development quotes are in the region of 750,000-1 million. Est. payback period is estimated to be within four years. The Great Hall Tree House Additional bedroom stock. Estimated additional 16 lodges could be built and sold under a seasonal ownership model which could provide 4, 8 and 12 week ownership plans est. from 50,000 to 150,000. Minor operating costs associated with this model.

13 24 A836 A897 A9 A836 THURSO A9 ORKNEY ISLANDS A836 A882 A99 JOHN O GROATS A99 SPORTING RIGHTS The vendors have leases of the coastal salmon fishing rights and the shooting rights over approximately 3000 acres of the Hempriggs Estate. Both leases expire in SERVICES Mains electricity and water, private drainage, oil fired central heating. RATEABLE VALUE Rateable Value 89,000. LISTED BUILDINGS Building Category Ackergill Tower A Garden Walls A Walled Gardens A DATA ROOM A web based data room is available to interested parties at: The data room holds relevant business and property information to enable a prospective purchaser to establish if they wish to submit an offer for the subject company. In order to gain access to the data room prospective purchaser shall be required to agree to the terms of a Confidentiality Agreement. CLOSING DATE A closing date for offers may be fixed and prospective purchasers are advised to note their interest in writing to the selling agents. The seller reserves the right to conclude a bargain for the sale ahead of a notified closing date and will not be obliged to accept either the highest or any offer. IMPORTANT NOTICE Particulars: These particulars are not an offer or contract, nor part of one. You should not rely on statements by Knight Frank LLP in the particulars or by word of mouth or in writing ( information ) as being factually accurate about the property, its condition or its value. Neither Knight Frank LLP nor any joint agent has any authority to make any representations about the property, and accordingly any information given is entirely without responsibility on the part of the agents, seller(s) or lessor(s). Particulars dated: May Photos etc: The photographs show only certain parts of the property as they appeared at the time they were taken. Areas, measurements and distances given are approximate only. Photographs dated: Various dates Regulations etc: Any reference to alterations to, or use of, any part of the property does not mean that any necessary planning, building regulations or other consent has been obtained. A buyer or lessee must find out by inspection or in other ways that these matters have been properly dealt with and that all information is correct. Knight Frank LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England with registered number OC Our registered office is 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN, where you may look at a list of members names. Viewing is strictly by prior appointment. Please contact: A96 A90 Stables Range A Ackergill Tower Dovecotes B LICENCES We understand that the property operates with all CONDITIONS OF SALE Title - The subjects are sold under the conditions in the Title Deeds, rights of way (if any), water rights affecting the same, whether shown in the Title Deeds or not. They will be sold as possessed by the Seller and no warranty is given. Knight Frank LLP 55 Baker Street London W1U 8AN Tel: +44 (0) Ordnance Survey Crown Copyright All rights reserved. Licence number Plotted Scale - 1:7065 INVERNESS A9 A95 Cairngorms National Park A95 A96 A96 PETERHEAD A90 ABERDEEN the necessary licences. FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT We understand that the property complies with all fire risk assessments. Deposit - On conclusion of missives a deposit of 10 per cent of the purchase price will be paid with the balance due at the date of entry. This deposit will be non-returnable in the event of a purchaser failing to complete the sale for reasons not attributable to the Sellers or their agents. Michael Jones Partner Scotland Residential Tel: +44 (0) michael.jones@knightfrank.com Henry Jackson MRICS Hotels & Leisure Tel: +44 (0) henry.jackson@knightfrank.com Alex Macaulay Hotels & Leisure Tel: +44 (0) alex.macaulay@knightfrank.com A9 A90 Kit Abram Hotels & Leisure Tel: +44 (0) kit.abram@knightfrank.com A90 DUNDEE NOTE: For identification purposes only. NOT TO SCALE Designed & produced by Bespoke Brochures bespokebrochures.co

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