Truly Stunning Period Guest House in the Heart of Speyside with Outstanding Rural Views

Cragganmore House is a truly stunning period property with a wealth of original features that has been carefully restored and maintained by the current owners who have run it as an intimate guest house and catering business for over 25 years. With stunning views of the surrounding countryside Cragganmore occupies a commanding position in a secluded glen and visitors cannot failed to be impressed upon arrival. Viewing is highly recommended to truly appreciate what this wonderful property and business has to offer.

Location

 Nestled in a secluded glen, adjacent to Cragganmore Distillery, Cragganmore House is an imposing property that has glorious views towards the River Spey, Ben Rinnes and the Cairngorms National Park. Cragganmore is in Ballindalloch in the heart of speyside.  The popular village of Aberlour is located about 10 miles to the north east and provides a good range of shops, restaurants, and inns as well as highly regarded primary and secondary schooling. Further amenities are also available in Grantown on Spey (about 14 miles) which also has a cottage hospital. Inverness and Aberdeen airports are about 42 and 62 miles away respectively offering a great selection of daily national and international flights and a regular shuttle service to London Heathrow. Ballindalloch lies at the entrance to the Cairngorm National Park and is at the heart of Speyside, an area best known for its beautiful countryside, salmon fishing and is the home of malt whisky. There are ample outdoor activities that attract visitors to the area including walking and hiking, cycling and stalking and the area has a multitude of wonderful golf courses.  The Lecht Ski and Activity Centre near Tomintoul and the Cairngorm Ski Centre near Aviemore are now open all year round. Moray is renowned for its mild and sunny climate.  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray is 25 miles away with an excellent range of independent shops and recreational facilities including two large leisure centres, an ice rink and cinema.

Business

 Cragganmore Guest House has been operating as a guest house for nearly 25 years when the property was restored by the current owners.  It provides a unique guest house experience in a truly wonderful and private setting with wonderful highland views.  It is a genuine lifestyle business that is run to suit the requirements of the owners.

The business trades from Easter to the end of October which is the peak tourist season for the Highlands.  Occupancy numbers during this period are exceptionally high.  New owners could easily extend the operating period as there is demand all year round for accommodation. 

New owners will have an excellent opportunity to dramatically increase revenues.  Immediate opportunities exist to extend the opening season and introduce a licensed bar or serve evening meals.  The business is run by the owners without the assistance of any staff.

 The guest house benefits from a good mix of new visitors and repeat trade, with a core market of tourists exploring Scotland by car, those undertaking outdoor pursuits and the extensive Malt Whisky trail.

  Property

 There are parts of Cragganmore that date back to pre-Victorian times, but as the family home of John Smith it was extended and improved to create a magnificent country house.  John Smith was the foremost distiller of his time and figured greatly in the newly legal licensed Speyside whisky trade of the mid-19th Century, managing and running The Macallan, The Glenlivet and Glenfarclas Distilleries before founding Cragganmore Distillery in 1869.  It is an historic property.

 Entrance to the property is through the front porch and into the main entrance hall where guests are greeted with all the warmth that Cragganmore has to offer.  Immediately to the left is the impressive dining room with wood panelling and ornate cornicing.  To the right is the drawing room, which acts as the guest lounge, and adjoining turret room which makes an excellent bar for guests.   Both rooms have working fires.

 The entrance hall leads to the rear of the property where there is a private dining room that could be used as an office or snug.  At the rear of the property is the large traditional country style kitchen diner.  It is equipped with a wide variety of base and wall mounted units, an Aga, range and everything else required to not only run a busy guest house but also of a size to run a fully operational catering business.

 Accessed from the kitchen is a back entry hallway.  This provides access in turn to the laundry room, food preparation room, family snug and a service stairs to the first floor and owners bedroom.

 The stairs from the front hall leads to the landing.  At the front of the property there are 2 very large ensuite letting rooms with one incorporating the beautiful turret.  At the rear there are 2 letting rooms that share a beautiful bathroom.  All rooms are individual decorated. A rear landing leads to the owner’s bedroom and back service stairs.

 There are 2 further bedrooms on the second floor, currently used by the owners, which could be converted to ensuite letting rooms.

 Cragganmore is a truly stunning property that has been sympathetically and tastefully upgraded and modernised throughout.  All rooms are individually decorated and furnished with hand chosen antique furniture and objects d’arts throughout.  There are beautiful original features throughout the property.

 External

 There is a large car park for residents which is accessed from the main drive to the property.  There is a large lawn, with a variety of shrubs and mature trees surrounding it, which is a wonderful place to enjoy the Moray sunshine.  On the slope to the main road is the abundant fruit and vegetable garden that is a great source of produce for the kitchen!

 There is a separate drive that provides access for kitchen deliveries and private owners parking.  There are a number of outbuildings that are used for storage and garden maintenance.

 Trading Information

The business trades below the VAT threshold.  Accounting information will be released after formal viewing has taken place.  The business is run to suit the owners’ lifestyle and is closed for approximately half the year.