PUNCH Taverns has announced an investment of nearly £800,000 in three of its Highland pubs.
The Blacksmiths in Culloden, The Eagle Hotel in Dornoch and the Corriegarth Hotel in Inverness will all receive extensive refurbishments in the coming months.
The refurb of The Blacksmiths will see the pub’s food offer revived, with much of the £200,000 budget focused on the outlet’s 86-seat restaurant and kitchen. A 50-cover function room will also be updated and the pub’s bar area given a makeover.
Punch is currently seeking a new tenant for the premises.
Punch development manager Tom Reilly said the pub “has the potential to be a great community local as well as a destination function venue catering for birthdays, weddings and funerals”.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for someone with the right ingredients – knowledge of the local area, a passion for serving great food and entrepreneurial flair,” said Reilly.
The Eagle project will see £275,000 spent on upgrading the hotel’s en suite bedrooms and 60-capacity bar as well as the 45-cover restaurant. Work on the site will begin in October.
The six-bedroom Corriegarth Hotel, meanwhile, will receive a £292,000 investment.
The inn, which is said to be a five-minute walk from the centre of Inverness, will have its bedrooms updated and its bar and restaurant overhauled.
“Due to their fantastic locations, The Eagle and Corriegarth are popular destinations with tourists and locals alike,” said Reilly.
“We are confident these investments will further their appeal and bring continued success to our partners.”
The investment comes after Punch announced it would spend £3 million on its Scottish estate this year.
