Opportunity for hotelier or developer as historic Victoria Hotel, Forres is up for sale
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A HOTEL and entertainment venue is up for sale, offering a buyer a unique opportunity to profit from a piece of Forres history.
The Victoria Hotel has been a landmark at the west end of town since 1864.
Situated on the junction of the old road to Nairn and the current one to Grantown, its substantial sandstone presence has been a welcome feature of the town for visitors and residents alike for more than 150 years.
It still offers accommodation through its seven letting rooms, as well as food and drink from its kitchens and bars.
The Vic' has been the scene of countless dances, functions and family celebrations, also houses a sizeable function hall. Who knows how many romances were started – or ended – on its dance-floor?
Current owner Alec Ross has been dealing with the estate left by his late wife Marlene. She was sister of former owner Jock Benzie, who died in 2019.
Alec said: “The Vic was still very much a functioning hotel up to January, 2020 and at its height in Jock’s day had a staff of 12. There was always a good trade. Workmen often stayed and we had a number of regulars from the same companies who enjoyed bed, breakfast and evening meals.”
Alec, a former employee of Highland Council, helped his wife at The Vic during the nine years she was in charge and during the 20 plus years she was involved before that.
He said: “Jock bought The Eagle Bar first in the eighties then The Vic after that. He got The Vic’ from Dickson’s Motors. As well as running it as a hotel, they used its car park for customers who visited their showroom and garage across the road.”
He added: “Jock kept The Vic much the same as it had always been. However, it needed a lot of work after being flooded in the late nineties so he got parts of it refurbished and renovated with the insurance. The function hall was gutted, a new bar put in and the stage was shifted. It was re-floored too, new heating installed and a false ceiling put in for the lighting, as well as to save heat. Then after Jock lost his leg through poor health, he put in a disabled ramp from the public bar as well as a disabled toilet.”
Forres Accordion and Fiddle Club and Forres Country Music Club used the Vic’s function hall regularly.
“There used to be club nights there too,” said Alec. “I was on the doors!
“There were also a lot of public sales including fishing tackle, carpets and clothing.”
Anyone interested in buying The Victoria Hotel should visit https://www.r-r-urquhart.co.uk/property/victoria-hotel-tytler-street-forres-iv36-1el/ for further details.
