Historic Fortrose hotel hits the market
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A PROMINENT pub in Fortrose is up for sale with an asking price of nearly half a million pounds.
The Anderson bar and restaurant, featuring 13-guest rooms, nine of which are en-suite, is up for grabs for £449,995.
The traditional black-and-white inn dates from 1840s, however the cellars are believed to be older.
Owners Jim And Anne Anderson say they are ready to move on after raising their son, who is now 18 and heading to university, in the hotel, which they purchased in 2003.
The couple, who emigrated from Philadelphia, also have a home on the Black Isle.
Mr Anderson (61) said the property was "a viable family business in a setting that was a great place for a family to live and raise their children".
He said he would sell it as a house or as a hotel business but added: "If I could pick and choose our buyer I would say it would be someone a lot like us who would have a vision of where they want to take it. It’s a flexible industry. As our son was growing up we wanted to spend time with him so we did not serve lunches but for an empty-nester or people who do not have kids there is plenty of scope to expand the opening hours to expand the revenue."
He said moving on would be emotional.
"Our customers used to come in and we would dash off and get them high chairs and now they’re coming in with their own children," he said, adding: "We moved here to be part of the community and I think we have proven we could not have chosen a better place for that."
Black Isle councillor Craig Fraser hopes that the new owners will "continue to uphold the good reputation created by the current owners."
"It’s got a great reputation – and, in my experience, it’s always been high quality food."
