* Unique multi - function visitor attraction in a tranquil and stunning coastal setting.
* Magnificent trading location on a cliff - top site with beautiful sea views on the popular Isle of Orkney.
* Exciting lifestyle business opportunity with 3 self - catering units, modern licensed restaurant (Skerries Bistro) and a Neolithic tomb visitor attraction.
* Seasonal trading model producing sound profitability but with some business expansion potential.
* 3 - bedroom owners house with most spacious accommodation and 3 en - suite bedrooms, set in c3 acres of ground, with a pond with development potential.
**Description**
Banks of Orkney is a unique business opportunity within a stunning coastal
setting giving rise to dramatic scenery over the Pentland Firth. Situated on
South Ronaldsay within the Orkney Isles, this is a popular destination
especially within the tourist season which runs from Easter to October
annually. This vast property is set upon around 3 acres of land and has an
eclectic mix of property marrying together traditional buildings with the
modern glass façade (known as curtain walling) restaurant offering full length
views to 180o across the Pentland Firth. Within the site is also a 5000 - year -
old Neolithic burial mound (Tomb of the Otters) which adds a further element
of historical charm to the sale.
This unique business has undoubted appeal and attracts a consistently steady
throughput of visitors. Its distinctive appeal is generated by a number of the
exclusive features which include a stunning restaurant (Skerries Bistro) and
the Tomb of the Otters. Coupled to this are the 3 self - catering units and
together they form a most desirable business opportunity. The business
generates income from multiple sources; the rental of the holiday cottages,
food and drink sales through the restaurant provision and from conducting paid
tours to the chambers within the tomb.
The trading elements benefit from a fine reputation. The Skerries Bistro
provides an outstanding selection of menu items focusing heavily on the
freshly prepared items utilising local produce where possible. With on - site
smoked locally sourced fish plus the addition of freshly acquired shell fish
the quality of cuisine provides a true flavour of the Island making it a true
destination dining option. The restaurant is popular with both visitors and
locals, the owners currently open on a limited basis serving 12 - 16 covers, 3
evenings a week. The restaurant previously operated 7 days 6 evenings a week,
and was full, as such there is huge potential for new motivated owners to
increase current trade levels by opening additional days and longer hours
throughout the week. It is the current owners intention to reduce their
workload and head towards retirement that has resulted in a change of opening
hours for the restaurant.
Many who visit the Islands come to The Tomb of the Otters which has only been
discovered since 2010. This ancient burial site has produced a wealth of
information and is still being reviewed scientifically to assess what further
light can be thrown on the cultures that occupied Orkney in 3000bc. The three
holiday letting units provide comfortable accommodation and comprise of two
1 - bedroom units and one 2 - bedroom unit.
**Trade**
Due to the reduction of hours in the restaurant, the owners have had no need
to employ staff and have managed this themselves. The vendors also oversee the
broader management aspects of the business and undertake the tours of the Tomb
of the Otters. The present owners have previously operated with the support of
a full team of staff who mainly assisted with the restaurant operation. There
is undoubted opportunity to drive the business to the next level should owners
wish to do so. There is the capacity to develop the site further subject to
planning consents. In addition to the excellent trading facilities, the sale
comes complete with a three - bedroom house which has plenty of scope to offer
further income generating potential as it has three en - suite rooms.
**Reason for selling**
Owned and operated by our clients since 2005 Banks of Orkney has provided a
quality of life that many can only dream of. The business presents a
profitable and sustainable trading proposition plus a comfortable home. It is
the vendors desire to retire that they now reluctantly bring the property onto
the market.
**Location**
Banks of Orkney is found in the south of the beautiful Orkney Islands which is
home to around 19, 000 people. It is situated about 8 miles from St Margrets
Hope which is the landing point for the short car ferry crossing from the
mainland. Kirkwall is the Islands main town and is some 22 miles to the north.
The welcoming community of the Orkneys is supported by well - established
infrastructure and social facilities locally. There are excellent sports
facilities and leisure facilities. The standard of education in Orkney is also
extremely high with Kirkwall Grammar being recognized as one of the best in
the Country. Kirkwall is a major administrative and communications centre with
Ferry Services to Aberdeen and Lerwick. Orkney has a strong history
encompassing pre - history, Pictish and Viking heritage which is reflected in
the many places of interest to visit. The Islanders enjoy an enviable quality
of life, amidst stunning and varied scenery, all bounded by the ever - changing
sea. Besides abundant wildlife, Orkney holds possibly the greatest
concentration of archaeology in nw Europe, including the unique Neolithic
village of Scara Brae, and the group of sites clustered around the Ring of
Brodgar, and known as Orkneys Neolithic Heartland, which was granted World
Heritage status by unesco in 1999. Visitors can also enjoy the vibrant
contemporary culture and a wide range of activities including excellent
fishing, bird watching, golf, climbing, walking and sailing, though many enjoy
the peaceful ambience of the islands.
**Property**
The original aspects of Banks of Orkney (not including the Neolithic tomb)
dates from the early 1900s and extends to around 3 acres. The house and
cottages are of stone construction under a slate roof; the house and the
2 - bedroom cottage are set over two floors; the two 1 - bedroom cottages are
single storey. All areas are well presented projecting an all - round excellent
proposition in a tremendous location. This is truly a one - off business
opportunity which will generate a high level of interest.
**Skerries bistro**
The Skerries Bistro is a unique property which is of modern modular
construction by portakabin. Access is via a decking ramp from the car park
which has 4 tables to seat 16 customers providing alfresco dining in the
warmer weather. This most impressive glass curtain walled facility enables
guests to take full advantage of the expansive vistas offering full length
views from three aspects towards the cliffs and sea. The property extends to
around 165m2 and is fitted out to a high specification. The building is
configured to a customer area set to the seaward elevation which forms an L
shape accommodating up to 40 guests. The quality of the free - standing
furnishings is of a very high standard. In addition, there is a distinctive
dining pod to the front of the building which can comfortably seat 8 guests.
The restaurant has a most attractive bar servery which is well - appointed with
fridges and other general modern equipment. There are excellent ladies, gents
and disabled washrooms which also have baby changing facilities. Within the
building is a large room which is used as the tour centre for visitors to the
Tomb of the Otters. Within the tour centre is a CCTV link to the Tomb plus a
range of information sheets.
The restaurant has excellent service facilities with a well - equipped
commercial kitchen with additional preparation and pot - wash areas. There are
spacious storage facilities including fridge and freezer storage area plus a
staff W. C. The property has a mix of electric heaters and an air - to - air
heating system.
**Tomb of the otters**
This 5, 000 - year - old burial site was uncovered in 2010, quite by accident and
became significant as an archaeological site. Partial excavation of the site,
called Banks Tomb, has confirmed it as the first undisturbed Neolithic burial
to be unearthed in Scotland in some 30 years, and is very well preserved.
The underground grave consists of a 4 - by 0. 75 - meter (13 - by 2. 5 - foot) central
chamber surrounded by four smaller cells hewn from sandstone bedrock. Capping
the central chamber are large water - worn slabs supported by stone walls and
pillars. Layers of silt divide the remains, suggesting the tomb was in use for
many generations, the site has also been dubbed the Tomb of the Otters,
because initial excavations revealed prehistoric otter bones etc. Tours are
run daily in the main season from 10: 30 a. m. To 4 p. m. Further details of the
site can be found on the websites below.
**Holiday accommodation**
The letting accommodation within the sale comprises of 3 units as detailed
below. All three are well - presented with a good range of facilities. The décor
throughout is of a good standard. The former steading buildings are configured
in an L shape around an area of garden which offers external seating in a
pleasant area.
Banks Barn - This 4 - Star (stb) 2 - bedroom accommodation units is a charming
stone - built property. One of the bedrooms is located on the ground floor,
being suitable for less abled guests. This bedroom has views to the rolling
Meadows and has a walk - in shower room adjacent to it. The second bedroom is on
the first floor and offers excellent seaward views. This room is configured to
a double (zip and link) and single bed and has an en - suite shower room. Banks
Barn can comfortably sleep 5 guests. The communal area is a lounge dining room
which is well - furnished and pleasantly decorated. A separate kitchen has all
the facilities that a holiday maker would reasonably require. The building has
under floor heating which is supplemented by electric heaters.
Seaview and Seal Cottages - These two cottages have been awarded a 3 - Star
(stb) accreditation. This semi - detached cottage is configured to a double
bedroom, shower room and open plan kitchen/dining /lounge area. Seal Cottage
has views over the farm land and Seaview overlooks the Pentland Firth. Both
units can accommodate 2 people.
**Private accommodation**
An attractive aspect of this sale is the spacious owner’s accommodation. The
house has a spacious kitchen / dining room, a charming lounge with stone
feature fire place plus 3 double bedrooms which are all en - suite. The family
kitchen is fitted with modern floor and wall - mounted units. To the rear
aspects of the property is a further commercial kitchen; this is used to
support food preparation for Skerries Bistro. However, it also used to provide
the food for the previous restaurant which was located in the conservatory at
the rear of the house, now only used as a store at this time. This under -
utilised area could be used either for personal benefit or for a business
development aspect. As a restaurant this area could seat up to 20 and has a
small yet attractive bar. It would make an ideal art studio / shop or a small
historic centre showing the history of the Tomb of the Otters. Off the
conservator are ladies and gents washrooms. There is also a private W. C. In
the main house off the hallway. The house has ample storage with a pantry to
the rear of the kitchen and other store cupboards.
**Grounds**
Banks of Orkney is set with ample car parking and has an attractive pond. The
site extends to about 3 acres with much of the ground possessing some
development potential subject to planning. There is external storage plus
there is a small smoke house for smoking fish etc.
**Services**
The business benefits from mains electricity and water with private drainage.
Lpg gas for cooking. The house benefits from oil - fired central heating for the
first floor and underfloor heating in parts of the ground floor.

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