Dun Creag Shore Development, Isle of Cumbrae, North Ayrshire

The proposed Dun Creag Shores development represents a significant investment in the future of the Isle of Cumbrae, with the potential to enhance the island’s tourism offering while delivering lasting benefits for the local community. We are offering a new operator space to lease within the building to create a bar/restaurant/cafe operation.

A new lease will be provided and the tenant will be expected to carry out refurbishment work on the former sailing centre.

The site will include renovating 3 detached lodges already on-site to create high quality, luxury letting accommodation for families or small groups. Planning permission has already been granted to create a further 34 lodges on land to the west of the main building, together with plans for up to 11 hotel rooms within the central property.

The owners will also develop a new gym facility which will be available to locals and visitors to the site, and a spa will be created at lower ground floor level in the main building.

By creating high-quality accommodation and visitor facilities, the development is expected to encourage longer stays, increase visitor spending in local shops, cafés, restaurants and attractions, and support year-round employment. Importantly, developments of this nature can help strengthen the island’s economy, provide opportunities for local businesses, attract further private investment and contribute to the long-term sustainability of Cumbrae as both a thriving community and one of Scotland’s most accessible island destinations.

The project also aligns with wider ambitions to improve the quality of the tourism offer, diversify the local economy and encourage sustainable growth that benefits both residents and visitors. A quality food and beverage offering within the central hub of the site will benefit from improved footfall and visitor numbers to the island.

Cumbrae currently enjoys welcoming over 700,000 annual visitors and almost 200,000 vehicles to the island per year.

The owners purchased the former sailing and watersports centre in August of 2025 and since then have been working on plans to redevelop the site to provide holiday accommodation alongside a central building that will include a number of hotel bedrooms, gym, office and spa at lower ground floor level.

The owners intend to develop and operate the majority of the site themselves and the decision has been made to find an experienced tenant and operator to establish the food and beverage portion of the main building.

There will of course be custom available from the hotel and lodge guests but given the proximity to the ferry terminal and the road leading to Millport there is a high volume of passing traffic with tourists and day trippers looking for lunches and dinners whilst on the island.

The main building is of timber frame and brick construction and a central reception area will provide access to the letting bedrooms and also to the hospitality area. The plan below shows the likely accommodation that will be provided at upper floor level.

It is proposed that a new tenant would provide an open plan bar/restaurant area with approximately 50-60 covers, with additional outside seating benefitting from views over the water.