Sandbank Hospitality for Sale
FOR SALE BY ONLINE AUCTION WEDNESDAY 25TH OF MARCH 2026 AT 9AM
**A GREAT CHANCE TO ACQUIRE A DISTINGUISHED COMMERCIAL HOTEL PROPERTY LOCATED IN DUNOON, ARGYLL & BUTE***UNIQUE AND RARE VERSATILE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY***SITUATED IN THE HEART OF SCOTLAND'S PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPE***
Description
***Presenting The Cot House Inn, a distinguished commercial hotel property located at The Cot House Inn, Cot House Road, Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, PA23 8QS. This establishment offers a unique investment opportunity in the heart of Scotland's picturesque landscape.***
***KEY FEATURES***
*Accommodation* - The inn comprises seven well-appointed rooms, each featuring en-suite facilities, flat-screen televisions, and comfortable seating areas, ensuring a pleasant stay for guests.
*Dining and Social Spaces* - The property boasts a restaurant and bar, providing guests with on-site dining options. The inclusion of a garden and sun terrace enhances the guest experience, offering serene outdoor spaces for relaxation.
*Location* - Situated in Dunoon, the inn is in close proximity to local attractions such as the Benmore Botanic Garden, located approximately 3.4 km away. This route is popular with anyone traveling through the West Coast. This area is especially visited by motorbike enthusiasts and those who enjoy fishing.
The static caravan site next to this hotel/restaurant is very popular and they are expanding to behind the hotel with their new development of 'Glamping' pods. This new addition to the area will only provide more guests for the Cot House Inn.
***INVESTMENT POTENTIAL***
Adjacent to The Cot House Inn is The Cot House Caravan Park, which accommodates over 50 caravans. The inn's central location also places it near several other caravan parks, including Hunters Quay Holiday Village, Stratheck Holiday Park, Loch Eck, and Invereck Caravan Park, collectively hosting over 600 caravans and lodges. This strategic positioning presents a significant opportunity to attract a steady flow of visitors from these neighbouring establishments.
***ADDITIONAL INFORMATION***
*The property offers private parking facilities, enhancing its appeal to guests traveling by car or motorbike. The inn's amenities and prime location make it a versatile investment, suitable for various business models within the hospitality sector.*
********* HISTORY *********
Mary, Queen of Scots and Her Association with Cothouse Inn and River Eachaig
Mary, Queen of Scots, one of history’s most tragic and enigmatic figures, was forced into a desperate flight across Scotland after her defeat at the Battle of Langside in May 1568. Having lost her struggle to reclaim the throne, she fled south, hoping for refuge in England. Along the way, she is believed to have passed through the Cothouse Inn, a historic lodging near the River Eachaig in Argyll.
The Cothouse Inn, a well-known stop for travelers, is said to have provided a brief sanctuary for Mary as she and her supporters moved through the region. This secluded location, surrounded by rugged Scottish landscapes and the flowing River Eachaig, offered a temporary place of rest before she continued her perilous journey south. The river itself, winding through the forests of Argyll, may have played a crucial role in aiding her escape, providing a natural route through the terrain while also offering fresh water and cover from potential pursuers.
Legend has it that Mary, exhausted from her ordeal, rested at the Cothouse Inn, possibly under disguise, with only a few loyal followers by her side. Given the inn’s position along established travel routes, it would have been a strategic yet discreet stopping point. The River Eachaig, flowing nearby, would have added to the inn’s secluded charm, making it an ideal refuge during her hurried escape.
Though there is little concrete evidence linking Mary directly to the Cothouse Inn, oral history and local folklore strongly suggest that she passed through the area. Some even claim she left behind a small token or piece of jewelry, which became part of the inn’s legend.
After leaving the region, Mary eventually made it to Workington in England, where she sought protection from Queen Elizabeth I—a decision that ultimately led to nineteen years of imprisonment and her execution in 1587.
Today, the Cothouse Inn and the River Eachaig remain part of local history, their connection to Mary Queen of Scots adding a layer of intrigue and romance to the landscape. Whether fact or legend, the idea of Mary pausing along the banks of the River Eachaig during her escape only deepens the mystery surrounding her fateful journey.
********* HISTORY *********
***RECENT NEARBY PROPERTY SALES***
- Rhubeg, Midge Lane, Strone, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8RX - 8 bedroom - SOLD Nov'24 - £1,100,000
- Duart Tower, Shore Road, Blairemore, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8TJ - 5 bedroom - SOLD Sep'24 - £627,032
- 23, Kings Hut, Victoria Road, Hunters Quay, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8JY - SOLD Aug'24 - £502,000
Dunoon is the main town on the Cowal peninsula, with a population of roughly 8,000 – making it one of the largest towns in Argyll and Bute, second only to Helensburgh. The town has no shortage of amenities and tourist attractions, including the Cowal Highland Gathering which boasts an attendance of roughly 23,000 people during late august every year. There is also the Castle House Museum built in the 1800s and the Dunoon Castle Ruins, dating back to the 13th century.
There are also great local attractions year round for those who permanently reside in Dunoon, with a cinema only a short walk away from the property, as well as the swimming pool and leisure centre – both recently refurbished.
There is also easy access to central Scotland via the ferry route from Dunoon’s picturesque promenade, only half a mile from the cottage, which provides travel to Gourock.
GUIDE PRICE: £350,000
To view legal documents for all properties, and to register for our online auctions please visit our website.
Purchases are subject to a Buyer’s Premium. There may also be additional fees on certain properties. Please refer to the Articles of Roup / Special Conditions in the Legal pack to confirm.
Key Feature 1
A GREAT CHANCE TO ACQUIRE A DISTINGUISHED COMMERCIAL HOTEL PROPERTY LOCATED IN DUNOON, ARGYLL & BUTE
Key Feature 2
UNIQUE AND RARE VERSATILE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
Key Feature 3
SITUATED IN THE HEART OF SCOTLAND'S PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPE
