Spoils of shipwreck on gantry of island hotel’s bar
WHEN the SS Politician left Liverpool for Jamaica in 1941 the captain probably never imagined that a bottle of the ship’s malt whisky cargo would find its way to a hotel bar on the Isle of Barra.
However, when the ship ran aground off the island of Eriskay there’s said to have been a foray of looting by locals.
Now, one of the original bottles from the raid that inspired Compton Mackenzie to write Whisky Galore is said to be held behind the bar at the Craigard Hotel in Castlebay on Barra.
On the market with property agent Bruce & Co, the hotel occupies an elevated position overlooking Kisimul Castle and the Hebridean Sea.
The property, which was built in 1890 as a private residence, has been redeveloped over time to form seven en suite letting rooms, four of which offer sea views.
The spoils of the shipwreck are displayed in the hotel’s Whisky Galore lounge, which is currently open to hotel guests; while the Craigard Bar is open to both hotel guests and locals and is said to offer a wide range of beers, wines and spirits.
The business also includes the 40-cover Sun Terrace Restaurant, which overlooks the sea and is open to hotel residents and the public.
There’s also owner’s accommodation, which is said to offer views of Castlebay and beyond to the island of Vatersay.
Bruce & Co’s Jayne Adamson, who is marketing the property with a price tag of offers over £499,950 for the freehold, said the sale offers a “rare opportunity” to acquire a “beautifully-presented Hebridean hotel, which is trading extremely successfully but with potential for expansion”.
“Further land is available at the rear of the hotel for development, subject to the necessary planning permission,” she said.
“Management has identified that there is also space for a further two rooms to be developed and the business would also benefit from the introduction of specialty nights. Currently, the hotel holds popular music nights and there is scope to increase these during summer months.”
Image – The Craigard Hotel overlooks Kisimul Castle and the Hebridean Sea.
