FOR SALE
The apartments & adjacent bar with the mountain 'Ben More' behind
The Seven Apartments Viewed from Loch Borralan
THE APARTMENTS
Traditionally constructed and with a white Ledmore marble rendering these self contained apartments feature double glazing with full insulation to floors, ceilings and walls. The dividing walls between each unit are 11" concrete block thereby ensuring quiet and privacy between the apartments. These seven apartments all have their own en-suite shower room with toilet, a kitchen, a dining and bedroom area. They will be sold as "Turn-key" accommodation as they are all fully furnished and have their own independent water, power supplies with meters and will be completely 'ready to go' including all furnishings, linen etc.
Although all are the same generous size with the exception of No's 1 & 7 (23'6" x 13'7"), which offer even more floor space, they are currently available as twins, a double and a family room with 4 beds. These units were purpose built only 12 years ago and have been kept in exceptional decorative order and make wonderful holiday accommodation in this spectacular part of the country.
THE FISHING
The purchaser will be acquiring the rights to the superb wild brown trout and char fishing on Loch Borralan's 118+ acres. The issuing of fishing permits and boats will be under the new owner's control. Loch Borralan has been a popular fishing Loch for centuries and the riparian authority over the water had been held exclusively by the old Altnacealgach Hotel until a disastrous fire brought about its destruction in 1985. The subsequent hotel demolition and then the building of the Motel apartments has continued this fishing tradition and the present owners have enjoyed the company of many, many hundreds of anglers during their ownership. Indeed had the Loch not been included in the original purchase of the Loch Borralan Estate by Bruce & Alba back in 1986, as keen trout anglers, it is very unlikely they would have moved to this delightful area. Wild brown trout over five pounds and arctic char have been caught on Borralan's waters while fish of a pound-and-half are common and catches of over a hundred fish over the period of an anglers holiday are the norm for a keen angler who will share this wonderful water with a fantastic family of Otters.
THE ADJACENT HOUSE PLOT
The slightly elevated plot to rear of the apartments has the benefit of Outline Planning Permission for a family dwelling with consent for; garage, workshop, reception office, laundry room and family accommodation. This will be ideal for the servicing of the seven apartments should the site be purchased as a whole. All on-site services are available for a quick connection as electricity, water and sewage are all adjacent.
PRICE Offers Over: £345,000 for the Motel with its seven holiday Apartments and the Adjacent House Plot with Outline Planning Consent for a family dwelling with garage, workshop, laundry room & reception. ( For loch frontage land and the rights to Loch Borralan's trout and arctic char fishing add £30,000)
(THE APARTMENTS CAN BE PURCHASED INDIVIDUALLY FROM £45,000 each)
SITUATION
The Alt Motel apartments on the shore of Loch Borralan are situated in one of the most remote areas of the Highlands . The stunning scenery and space seem many miles from the congestion of modern day life and a refuge giving peace, tranquility and superb quality of life. The area is a favourite with the tourists and regular guests, many of whom return on a regular basis year after year. The nearest town is Ullapool, which is approximately 20 miles to the south which offers a good range of facilities including a Somerfield supermarket, shops, schools and the ferry service to the outer isles. Inverness , the Capital of the Highlands , is about a 90 minutes drive and offers a full range of facilities commensurate with a major regional centre. These include a modern shopping centre, theatre, hospital, mainline railway station and airport with regular services by British Midland, British Airways and Easy jet to Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and Bristol .
Recreational activities are available in abundance and these include fishing on Loch Borralan (literally yards from the property) and many other local lochs, all forms of country sports and the choice is unlimited for the hill walker and mountaineer. Access to the spectacular west coast is about 20 miles and the east coast about 40 miles with its sandy beaches and good golf courses.
Part of Loch Borralan with the Holiday Apartments (center left)
DIRECTIONS
From Inverness take the A9 north crossing the Kessock Bridge and bear left at the Tore roundabout on the A835 towards Ullapool. Continue on the A835 for some 18 miles beyond Ullapool turning right at the Ledmore junction on the A837 towards Lairg. The property is on the left after approximately 1.4 miles.
DESCRIPTION
The seven holiday apartments, since they were completed in '93, have offered fully equipped self-catering facilities or bed & breakfast accommodation. Now for sale (due to poor health) as a going concern or as individual holiday homes - together with the bank fishing and boats on the Loch they have been successfully run by the present owners. It is a pleasant way of life and currently the apartments are open from Easter until the autumn with the present owner's spending their winters abroad.
This is a rare opportunity to acquire a viable holiday home or a business in a remote part of the Highlands with the added benefit of an enviable quality of life.
Should there be sufficient interest they can be purchased separately in which case we shall be left with a spare house plot - but never mind we'll need the extra money for our (currently non existent) pension fund.
FULL DETAILS OF THE ACCOMMODATION
At the present time the owners are living in the 2 apartments, No's 1 & 2, but an adjacent house plot with Outline Planning Consent is included with the over-all sale which will free these 2 apartments to become extra holiday units. These apartments will obviously be available initially for the new purchaser to live in until such time as their own house can be completed. (We shall be taking our personal furniture with us from these two units.)
Apartment 1 - Present Owner's Temporary Accommodation
Living Room Approx 5.05m x 4.09m (16'6" x 13'5") Front door. Double glazing. Hatch to roof space with cold water storage tank in loft. Cloaks cupboard. Panel heater. Superb views to Loch. Door to:
Kitchen Approx 2.12m x 2.03m (7'2" x 6'8") Double glazed window. Single drainer stainless steel sink unit cupboards under, space for fridge freezer. Electric cooker. Tiled splashbacks.
Shower Room Approx 2.03m x 1.86m (6'8'" x 6'1") Matki corner entry shower cabinet with Aqualisa shower. Close coupled WC. Pedestal basin with wall light and shaver point over. Extractor fan. Double glazing. Airing cupboard with insulated hot water tank and immersion heater. Heated towel rail. Outside; electricity meter box
Apartment 2 - Present Owner's Temporary Accommodation
Office Approx 3.42m x 3.20m (11'2" x 10'6") Double glazing with good views over Loch Borralan. Panel heater. Hatch to roof space with cold water tank in loft. Partition door to:
Owners Bedroom Approx 3.91m x 2.73m (12'10" x 8'11") Double glazed window. Wardrobe. Airing cupboard with insulated hot water tank and immersion heater. Single drainer stainless steel sink unit. cupboards and wall cupboard.
Door to: Shower room Approx 1.82m x 1.58m (5'11" x 5'2") Matki corner entry cabinet with Aqualisa Shower. Close coupled WC. Pedestal basin. Wall light with shaver point. Double glazing. Extractor fan. Heated towel rail. Outside; electricity meter box
All the remaining apartments are fully furnished and equipped, newly decorated and in ready-to-go condition.
Apartment 3 - A Family Room for four people
Living Room . 4 single beds. Approx 7.18m x 3.51rn (23'6" x 11'6") overall. Fully equipped. Good views to Loch. Panel heater. Kitchenette with single drainer stainless steel sink unit cupboard under. Fridge. Electric cooker. Airing cupboard with insulated hot water tank and immersion heater & coin meter for electricity supply. Hatch to roof space with cold water storage tank in loft.
Shower Room Approx 1.85m x 1.59m (6'1" x 5'2") Matki corner entry cabinet with Aqualisa shower. Close coupled WC. Pedestal basin. Wall light with shaver point. Heated towel rail. Extractor fan. Outside; electricity meter box
Apartment 4 - Letting unit for two people (plus one extra with pull out bed)
Living Room Approx 2 single beds. 7.18m x 3.53m (23'6" x 11 '7") overall Good views to Loch. Panel heater. Kitchenette with single drainer stainless steel sink, cupboard under. Fridge. Electric cooker. Airing cupboard with insulated hot water tank and immersion heater. Coin meter for electricity supply. Hatch to roof space with cold water storage tank in loft.
Shower Room Approx 1.86m x 1.59m (6'1" x 5'2") Matki corner entry cabinet with aqualisa shower. Close coupled WC. Pedestal basin. Wall light with shaver point. Heated towel rail. Extractor fan. Outside; electricity meter box
Apartment 5 - Letting unit for two people
Living Room 2 single beds. Approx 7.18rn x 3.51m (23'6" x 11'6") overall . Good views to Loch . Panel heater. Kitchenette with single drainer stainless steel sink cupboard under. Fridge. Electric cooker. Airing cupboard with insulated hot water tank and immersion heater & coin meter for electricity supply. Hatch to roof space with cold water storage tank in loft.
Shower Room Approx 1.86m x 1.60m (6'1" x 5'3") Matki corner entry cabinet with Aqualisa shower. Close coupled WC. Pedestal basin. Wall light with shaver point. Heated towel rail. Extractor fan. Outside; electricity meter box
Apartment 6 - The ‘Honeymoon' Suite
Living Room Approx 7.18m x 3.52m (23'6" x 11'6") overall Letting unit for two people (double bed). Good views to Loch . Panel heater. Kitchenette with single drainer stainless steel sink cupboard under. Fridge. Electric cooker. Airing cupboard with insulated hot water tank and immersion heater & coin meter for electricity supply. Hatch to roof space with cold water storage tank in loft.
Shower Room Approx 1.86m x 1.59m (6'1" x 5'2") Matki corner entry cabinet with Aqualisa shower. Close coupled WC. Pedestal basin. Wall light with shaver point. Heated towel rail. Extractor fan. Outside; electricity meter box
Apartment 7 - Letting unit for two people. (plus one extra with pull out bed).
Living Room 2 single beds. Approx 7.18m x 4.15m (23'6" x 13'7") overall Good views to Loch. Built in wardrobes. Panel heater. Kitchenette with single drainer stainless steel sink with cupboard under; further cupboards and wall cupboard. Fridge. Electric cooker. Hatch to roof space with cold water storage tank in loft.
Shower Room Approx 2.12m x 1.83m (6'11" x 6') Matki corner entry cabinet with Aqualisa shower. Close coupled WC. Pedestal basin. Wall light with shaver point. Heated towel rail. Extractor fan. Airing cupboard with insulated hot water tank and immersion heater with coin meter for electricity supply. Outside; electricity meter box
If bought as a whole to continue running as a business the apartments are currently let as self-catering holiday accommodation or, when not occupied by longer term guests, as overnight bed & breakfast apartments (with a breakfast tray supplied - Kellogs, fresh milk, toast, butter, marmalade, tea & coffee - there is no cooking to do) . My wife and I since selling the next door bar have run these apartments in this way over the last twelve years, giving us a VERY relaxed lifestyle. We work (from choice) a six month season with the winter (normally from October to April) spent on the Med. The new owners may prefer to extend the season further with the commensurate increase in income. The tariff can be found on our website THE ALT MOTEL - B&B is currently from £65 per night and £295 per week for a twin room self catering. While, with the fabulous fishing on Loch Borralan and locally, we have concentrated our advertising on anglers there is a much wider market available for hillwalkers and climbers. The apartments could even be sold individually as holiday homes (there is a consent for this) and the house plot retained thereby giving you a good profit on your outlay and a free houseplot.
To relieve the boredom of wading through all these details here's a typical Loch Borralan sunset.
OUTSIDE
An immaculate but easily maintained rockery garden with many Spring bulbs, shrubs and perennial plants having a communal path feeding all seven apartments, there is a side gate which gives access to the rear car park where there is dedicated parking for the seven apartments and space for at least five more cars. The west gate (shown below) gives access to the vehicular access between the Motel and to the next door bar/restaurant. In a spectacular location, a mere 20 yards from the shore of Loch Borralan's 118 acres, there are mature trees that give protection and the majority of the surrounding land is open with outstanding views south east, south and south west to the mountains of Cul Mor and Suilven - Ben More is to the north of the property and can be clearly seen in the photo at the top of this page. The 'Alt Bar' next door is an ideal place to relax and enjoy a dram, a pint or an all-day inexpensive meal. Recently under new ownership, newly refurbished and with a new and wide enticing menu it is a relaxing, quiet and typical Highland retreat where many of our guests enjoy their evenings over a good meal with friendly company.
The Apartment Front Path and Gardens.
GENERAL
Services The Loch Borralan Holiday Apartments are served by mains electricity with a private U/V treated water supply and drainage system.
Viewing - Arrangements Strictly by appointment with the vendors
Entry To be by mutual agreement. There is no ongoing chain.
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
This is a 'Turnkey' business purchase with all that is needed for an instant startup. All fitted carpets, curtains and blinds, furnishings and equipment are included. By negotiation a percentage of the purchase price will be agreed for the fixtures and fittings. (which will reduce stamp duty on the total price). The present owner's personal furniture will be removed from No'1 & 2
BURDENS
The owner's accommodation is in Council Tax Band 'A' (Although these 2 units will revert to letting units when the new owner's house is completed and No's 1 & 2 are released as extra letting accommodation.)
Apartments No's 3 - 7, small business rates apply, currently attracting a substantial rebate. Rates payable 2006/07 £415.32 (net of rebate). Next year the rebate will be 100% so effectively reducing the commercial rates to NIL.
CLOSING DATE
A Closing Date may be fixed and we would advise prospective purchasers to register their interest with the vendors. Whilst every effort will be made to ensure that parties having registered their interest will be notified of a closing date this cannot be guaranteed. It should be noted that the vendor reserves the right to accept offers prior to a closing date being set.
THE LOCH BORRALAN WEBSITES : The Loch Borralan & Alt Motel websites will be included in the sale. This will be a considerable saving for the purchaser as it will be up'n'ready to go and need a minimum of up-dating to include any changes the new owner may wish to make. About 30% of our current business is Internet related. Occupancy is about 50% each of B&B and Self Catering
WHY ARE WE SELLING??? This is a somewhat forced sale - mainly through ill health - although retirement and a desire by my wife to be closer to our grandchildren are dragging us away from this spectacular area. This wonderful area is a hard place to abandon and we have both loved and enjoyed it for the last 20 years (8 owning the Alt Bar - the remainder at the Motel). The scenery, the people, the fishing, the hill walking and the living here is good, comfortable and never stressful. This is an ideal opportunity for a couple (or young family) who want to get away from the hectic life of the big city with its frenzied activity to experience a life changing, completely relaxed existence.
PRICE Offers on : £345,000
for the Motel with its seven holiday Apartments including the Adjacent House Plot with Outline Planning Consent for a family dwelling with garage, workshop, laundry room & reception. (For loch frontage land and the rights to Loch Borralan's trout and arctic char fishing add £30,000)
(IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT INTEREST THE APARTMENTS CAN BE PURCHASED INDIVIDUALLY FROM £45,000 each)
Initial Contact Through The Sole Proprietors:
The Loch Borralan Holiday Apartments are for sale by the owners Bruce & Alba Ward
The Alt Motel, The Altnacealgach, By Lairg, Sutherland. IV27 4HF
PLEASE PHONE BRUCE OR ALBA TO GET AN UPDATE ON WHAT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE OR UNDER OFFER
phone 01854 666 220
CLICK HERE TO SEND US AN E-MAIL
For more pictures and information regarding the Motel, its interior, the tariff or this lovely area please go to
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HERE IS SOME GOOD TAX NEWS FOR THE POTENTIAL PURCHASER
Extract from The Sunday Times “Ask the Experts”
The good news is that if you buy in the UK, there can be considerable tax advantages in owning a furnished holiday let (FHL), provided it is not available for any other type of residential letting.
You can also write off the furnishings and equipment when purchased against rental income. Losses, hopefully not real losses but the write-off over time of the value of furnishings and equipment, can be offset against any other income, for example, earned income or the capital gains you have made for the current and/or previous year, or can be carried forward against future letting income.
You can also roll over any gain from the sale of one FHL into the purchase of others, avoiding capital-gains tax. Outside peak holiday periods, you can use the property yourself. Although income is treated as trading income, it isn't liable to Class 4 national insurance.
FHLs must be in the UK , must include furniture and be available as a commercial letting to the public — not just family and friends — for at least 20 weeks in a 12-month period. The property must actually be let for at least 70 days. In addition, in any period of seven months, the property should not normally be let to the same person for more than a month (31 days) at a time. If you have more than one FHL, the 70-day rule can be averaged. Make sure you keep a full record of each tenant's details.
Bill Blevins is a managing director of Blevins Franks International, providing tax and investment advice