Who will chart a course for Fife?

Opportunity to build on waterfront venue’s offer

Ship Inn Hotel
The Ship Inn is said to benefit from its waterfront location and owner’s accommodation.

A 200 year old bar and restaurant in the Fife village of Limekilns has come on to the books of property firm Strutt & Parker.

The Ship Inn, which overlooks the Forth towards Bo’ness and eastwardly towards the three bridges over the Forth, is said to offer operators “a fantastic lifestyle opportunity”.

Operated by Claire and Ian Cruickshank for the past 15 years, the business comprises a public bar, 40-cover restaurant and a commercial kitchen, as well as a four-bedroom owner’s house.

Claire Cruickshank said: “We benefit from loyal local custom as well as visitors from Edinburgh and tourists from further afield.

“We have extended what we offer; we now serve food on Friday and Saturday evenings and all day Sunday – and it is usually fully booked.

“There is potential to take that further and serve food on weekday evenings as well.”

The Ship Inn is a very successful business which occupies a fantastic location on the waterfront.

Cruickshank added that the family has “enjoyed an incredible lifestyle, but after 15 years we have decided to move on and take a different direction”.

Euan MacCrimmon of Strutt & Parker, which is seeking offers over £575,000 for the property, said The Ship Inn is a “very successful business”, which “occupies a fantastic location on the waterfront with spectacular views”.

“One of the most attractive aspects of the sale is the unusually extensive private owner’s accommodation which accompanies the business and would certainly suit a family,” he added.