A RENOWNED Scottish chef has put one of his best-loved venues up for sale.
Costley & Costley Hoteliers, run by Bill Costley with his wife Cath and son Andrew, has instructed property agent Smith & Clough to find a buyer for Souter’s Inn, a bar and restaurant in the village of Kirkoswald, near Turnberry.
The outlet’s website notes that the pub, which has a thatched roof, is built on the site of the old schoolyard where Scotland’s national bard Robert Burns studied in the late 18th century.
Smith & Clough said it was seeking offers in excess of £995,000 for the freehold interest in the business.
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Jonathan Clough, an owner and director of Smith & Clough, posted on LinkedIn: “We are delighted to have been instructed by the Costley & Costley Group to market the award-winning and historic Souter’s Inn, which is nestled within the South Ayrshire village of Kirkoswald, which lies just outside Turnberry.
“Kirkoswald and the surrounding areas is steeped in Robert Burns history and Souter’s Inn is historically significant as it was home to the old school house that Burns attended back in 1772.
“The subjects are named after Souter Johnnie from Burns' famous Tam O' Shanter poem, who lived in the village and is now buried across the road in the Old Parish Church graveyard along with 'Tam O' Shanter', or more accurately the people the characters were based on. Souter Johnnie's cottage is a few doors along and is now owned by the National Trust and is open for visitors to explore.
“The sale comprises this substantial and spectacular village inn, all under a magnificent thatched roof, which can accommodate approximately 140 customers, an ice cream parlour/ cafe/ retail space, as well as a separate ice cream production unit and bakery, and a large car park for approx 60 cars.
“We are seeking offers in excess of £995,000 for the freehold interest in this fantastic business opportunity which also provides an opportunity to own a piece of Scottish history.”
Costley is a classically trained chef who attended cooking school in Versailles and first founded Costley & Costley with his wife Cath in 1988, going on to establish a portfolio of award-winning hotels and country inns around Ayrshire.
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