Take the right turn
Hotel near start of North Coast 500 could become perfect home
It was dreamed up by a marketing genius as a scenic journey around Scotland’s northern coastline to attract visitors to the Highlands. And the North Coast 500 route, which starts and finishes in Inverness, has clearly boosted the region’s tourism business.
The NC500 has attracted some negative publicity in recent years, as some motorists believed the only way to cover it was by putting the pedal to the metal.
Far better to take things easy, as people have been doing for generations at the Ord Hotel, a mile from the village of Muir of Ord on the edge of the Black Isle.
This B-listed establishment has long been a popular haunt of the huntin’, shootin’ and fishin’ brigade, as well as tourists keen to recover from visiting the Glen Ord Distillery next door.
Today this lovely hotel is used by motorists at the beginning and end of the NC500 route.
Now a new owner is being given the opportunity to continue or even expand the business or simply return it to a domestic residence.
The distillery, today operated by Diageo, was founded by Thomas Mackenzie, 5th of Ord, who took over Ord House in 1831.
He was descended from the chief of clan Mackenzie, who had occupied the site since the 13th Century. Ord House itself is believed to date from 1637.
For more than 30 years it has been the property of the Allen family, who have conducted extensive renovations including rewiring and reroofing in places.
The front of the house was reharled two years ago.
There are four principal reception rooms, 12 bedroom suites and ancillary accommodation and a two-storey private wing, which has three bedrooms and all retain a wealth of period features, including sash and case windows, wood panelling and decorative cornicing.
Many of the rooms, including the bar, drawing room, sitting room and even the reception hall, have welcoming wood-burning stoves.
There is also a store room, TV room, the Crawford bedroom suite, laundry room, office and dining kitchen, with Aga and Rangemaster. The ground-floor accommodation is completed by a staff bedroom suite and two other bedroom suites, the Mull and Iona.
The nine remaining bedroom suites – all individually named – are split between the separate wing and the second and first floors of the main building, where you will also find two connected dining rooms.
The grounds at Ord House extend to 27.25 acres. The gardens comprise sweeping lawns to the front and side, with a pond to the front and a croquet lawn and walled garden.
The walled garden i ncludes planted borders, roses and an orchard of pears, plums, apples, redcurrants and gooseberries.
In the corner of the walled garden is an attractive traditional bothy which has the potential for conversion into a garden cottage.
Attractive mature woodland lines the driveway and surrounds the gardens, extending to about 13.5 acres with a paddock to the south of the house extending to 8.17 acres.
Outbuildings include a garage, potting sheds, wood stores and a secure machinery shed.
Muir of Ord offers amenities including a small supermarket, butcher, doctor’s surgery, chemist, café and primary school.
Secondary schooling is available in Dingwall and Inverness is only 15 miles away.