Selkirk Arms Hotel where Robert Burns 'penned' Selkirk Grace goes up for sale in Dumfries and Galloway

A hotel with famous links to Robert Burns has gone up for sale for £1.3m as the owners are set to retire.

The Selkirk Arms Hotel in Dumfries and Galloway is the latest business in a 250-year-old line of hotel’s operating from the premises, and is said to be where Robert Burns penned the “Selkirk Grace” during a stay in 1794.

The hotel, located on Kirkcudbright High Street, is being sold by “veterans of the hotel business” Chris and Sue Walker, who have owned the property for 17 years.

Joint selling agents, Graham + Sibbald and Smith & Clough Business Associates, said the sale of the business marks their retirement from the industry.

The hotel offers 17 rooms with ensuites, bars, restaurants, lounges and meeting Rooms, as well as an enclosed garden area with seating terrace.

The sellers are looking for offers around £1,350,000.

The hotel website said the location dates back from 1777 and is known to have had Robert Burns as a lodger on several occasions around 1794.

“Although there are conflicting stories as to the origin of The Selkirk Grace, many believe that it was at this very hotel that Burns penned the famous grace prior to attending a dinner hosted by the Earl of Selkirk at his home on St Mary’s Isle,” the website says.

Alistair Letham, a Hotel + Leisure consultant with Graham + Sibbald, said: “The Selkirk Arms Hotel has been a well-established hospitality venue for many years. In their tenure, Chris & Sue Walker have spent many years upgrading and developing the property creating the now profitable business.

“New owners can capitalise upon the secure income which is showing further growth in 2024.”

Graeme Smith, a director with Smith & Clough, added: “Having worked alongside Alistair on several occasions we are delighted to be jointly marketing the Selkirk Arms Hotel, on behalf of Chris and Sue Walker.

“Over the years they have established the hotel as one of the finest establishments in the area with a very steady trading performance which produces high levels of profitability.”