Latest news with #BraemarMountainSports
Press and Journal
5 days ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Land once home to Braemar Lodge up for auction with starting price of just £1
The land upon which the Braemar Lodge once stood is to go up for auction with the eye-catching starting price of just £1. A serious fire ravaged the historic hotel in March 2022, leaving the remaining structure in a perilous state. Many locals had hoped the building could be restored, but the owners made the decision to demolish it due to safety concerns. That proved controversial as it emerged that proper authorisation for knocking down a listed building had not sought during the process. Braemar residents, meanwhile, said a 'lunar landscape' had been left and claimed water run-off could go into neighbouring gardens. Councillors eventually voted retrospectively in favour of approving the demolition. And now the land where the once popular hotel stood is going to auction as a new owner and a new use is sought. It is being offered with a rock-bottom starting price that's guaranteed to draw eyes – at just £1 – though bidding is likely to swiftly increase. The site is not only historically significant, also a prime piece of land, measuring more than 1,000 square metres in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park. Currently a blank canvas, the sellers say it represents a strong development opportunity for potential buyers. The plot is within five minutes' walk of Braemar Mountain Sports and within easy walking distance of Mar Lodge Estate. Prime Property Auctions director John Morris said: 'This remarkable property is now being offered with opening bids from just £1. 'This offers savvy investors and visionaries a golden chance to own a slice of Highland heritage. 'The property is being offered at a fantastic discount to ensure a sale and should appeal to anyone looking for a straightforward purchase with excellent upside potential. 'This isn't just a piece of land – it's a front-row seat to Scottish tradition, royal heritage and exceptional natural beauty. 'To launch a site of this calibre with a starting bid of just £1 is bold. 'It will no doubt capture the imagination of bidders across the UK and beyond.' The live auction takes place on Thursday August 21, with bids accepted from 10.30am-4.30pm.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Fire-ravaged Scottish village hotel site for auction at £1
Measuring more than 1,000 square metres and sited in the Cairngorms National Park, the plot on Glenshee Road was where the seven-bedroom Braemar Lodge Hotel stood prior to its demolition three years ago. The property comprises a spacious 1,039.4 sqm (0.257 acres) clear building plot, offering a blank canvas for development options, subject to all the necessary permissions being granted. The former footprint includes a 120-cover restaurant, whisky bar, owner's accommodation, a 12-berth bunkhouse, multiple outbuildings and extensive gardens and parking. Fire destroyed the popular hotel in March 2022, with the remains of the building being demolished four months later amid safety concerns. The plot, which has since remained undeveloped, is within five minutes' walk of Braemar Mountain Sports and within easy walking distance of Mar Lodge Estate. READ MORE: It is being sold by Scottish auction house Prime Property Auctions and director John Morris said: 'We are excited to present this massive development plot of land located within a prime location in Braemar. 'This remarkable property is now being offered with opening bids from just £1, offering savvy investors and visionaries a golden chance to own a slice of Highland heritage. 'The property is being offered at a fantastic discount to ensure a sale and should appeal to anyone looking for a straightforward purchase with excellent upside potential. 'It is a rare investment opportunity and a perfect chance for developers to build with the potential for substantial rental income and capital growth. 'This isn't just a piece of land – it's a front-row seat to Scottish tradition, royal heritage and exceptional natural beauty. To launch a site of this calibre with a starting bid of just £1 is bold, exciting, and will no doubt capture the imagination of bidders across the UK and beyond.' The live auction commences on Thursday, August 21 with bids accepted from 10.30am - 4.30pm. Prime Property Auctions was established by Luis Guarin and John Morris in 2022 and offers listings on commercial, residential and land. The firm operates throughout Scotland as well as England and Wales from its base in Glasgow city centre. It has a database of more than 20,000 buyers and has sold more than 600 auction lots in the UK since 2022.
Press and Journal
06-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Highland chocolatier that faced closure reopens in former bank
A beloved Braemar chocolatier on the brink of closure just a few months ago has been whipped back into shape with help from the village – and is now operating out of an old bank, complete with walk-in chocolate vault. The award-winning Braemar Chocolate Shop had to leave its original premises in November, losing not only its retail space but also the kitchen where its signature handmade chocolates were produced. Owners Dave Williams and Jo Sheridan feared the worst. 'We didn't know what the future held,' said Dave. 'At one point we thought it was over. We lost the ability to produce chocolate, which is the lifeblood of the business.' The sudden closure sparked concern from loyal customers, some of whom had already planned their Christmas gifting around the shop's products. But the village quickly came to their aid. A neighbouring sporran shop offered temporary retail space, and the Invercauld Estate stepped in with a custom-built kitchen unit in its new industrial development – completed in just two weeks. Dave Williams and Jo Sheridan outside their new shop at Auld Bank House in Braemar. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson Then came a breakthrough. The former Braemar bank, owned by Braemar Mountain Sports, was offered to them for lease. And the building – complete with a walk-in vault – provided a perfect environment for storing their delicate chocolates. Braemar Chocolate Shop is back 'It's a bit of a Willy Wonka story,' said Dave. 'We've got a vault full of chocolate now – and plans to fill it with little gold bars. The space is ideal for temperature control, and it's got a lot of character.' The couple say they've been overwhelmed by local support, with villagers pitching in to help transform the building into their new retail space. 'The village really rallied around,' says Dave. 'People have been helping us paint the new place, gut the place out, it's been fantastic.' 'It's been amazing,' said Jo. 'People are genuinely thrilled that we're back. For many, this is their first stop when they arrive in Braemar.' Some of Braemar Chocolate Shop's handmade treats. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson Since reopening, the shop has gone from strength to strength. They've secured a new supply deal with Balmoral Castle, and are also providing chocolates to renowned venues like The Fife Arms, alongside growing demand for corporate orders. Cairngorms Caramel Company Known for their creative flavour combinations – which include Highland whisky, local honey, blue cheese, and sourdough – the chocolatiers are shipping their products worldwide, including to Belgium and Switzerland. 'It's a labour of love,' says Dave. 'We are turning out thousands of handmade chocolates a week, a range of bars and chocolate squirrel lollipops for younger customers.' Looking to the future, they are also launching a new venture: the Cairngorms Caramels Company, which will focus on longer shelf-life products suited to wider retail distribution. Dave Williams and Jo Sheridan at their new chocolate factory at Lion's Face Workshops at Invercauld Estate. Image: Darrell Benns/DC Thomson 'We are in the middle of the Cairngorms, so it's part of our story,' says Dave who, swapped his career as an army chef to focus full-time on chocolate-making. 'I've always loved creating, and Jo's passionate about that as well.' Now firmly back on their feet, Dave and Jo have signed a five-year lease on both the shop at the Auld Bank House and their new production kitchen at Lion's Face Workshop, cementing their long-term commitment to Braemar and the surrounding area. 'We're in it for the long term and hopefully with the Cairngorms Caramel Company that will go on forever.'
