Jura’s only hotel is up for sale for £1.2million

The prime real estate on the remote Scottish island of Jura has a plum location right next to the island’s whisky distillery.

The Hebridean island of Jura, off the west coast of Scotland is soaked through with whisky lore. And now, the island’s only hotel and pub is up for sale for the first time in 11 years.

The sale is being managed by estate agents Graham and Sibbald and expects to fetch £1.2millon.

Powered by biomass and solar energy, the 17-bedroom hotel comes with two bars, a restaurant and “Shack” servery, and a separate five-bedroom owner’s house is included in the sale. An al fresco terrace, staff accommodation and camping field for events completes the offering.

World renowned for its distinctive whisky heritage and long sandy beaches, Jura is one of the least densely populated islands of Scotland. The hotel itself is described as having a “superb sea view position”, and sits adjacent to the island’s whisky distillery. The hotel’s established business is thought to have an annual turnover of around £800,000 (net), with good custom all year round from tourists, local and commercial visitors.

Jura’s sole whisky distillery is owned by the Glasgow-based Whyte and Mackay, which in turn is owned by Philippines-based Emperador Inc. Distillery tours run from Monday-Friday, and Jura Whisky has a 10-year-old, a 12-year-old and an 18-year-old expression in its signature range, plus a 21-year-aged ‘Tide’ edition and a number of special editions finished in rum, French oak and red wine casks. There is also a gin distillery on the island.

Alistair Lethem, Hotel and Leisure Consultant at Graham + Sibbald, commented: “The availability of The Jura Hotel for sale is a fantastic opportunity for new owners to acquire a well-established hotel, in good condition, with the opportunity to further grow and expand the business.”

The sale comes at a busy time for deal-making in the hotel sector, driven by the increase in domestic holidaymaking during COVID-19 and renewed interest in the sector from private equity buyers.

The windswept wilderness of Jura is just 11km wide and 48km long and was a much-loved hideaway for writer George Orwell. Fewer than 200 people are thought to live on the island permanently. Jura can be reached by ferry from the Isle of Islay.

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