A Highland hotel adored by a movie star who famously rose from poverty to the ranks of the super rich has had its price tag slashed by £500,000.
The asking price for Nairn’s Newton Hotel, which returned to the market last November, has dropped to £4million.
Set on a 21-acre estate overlooking the Moray Firth, the turreted, 17th century manor house was a peaceful retreat for silent screen icon Charlie Chaplin and his family on numerous occasions in his latter years.
A bar-restaurant at the hotel was later named in his honour.
The hotel is owned by London-based private investment company Pearchal Properties Ltd and managed by Bespoke Hotels.
Alistair Letham, director of hotels at agents Colliers, said the reduction was “reflecting market sentiment and a stronger desire for the clients to sell.”
He said offers that had been made for the Newton were “not quite acceptable.”
As for the wider hotels market, he added: “We have no evidence of existing buyers and deals being affected by recent events in the political world – Brexit, etcetera.
“Going forward, we’re still confident that trade in 2016 in Scotland is generally up and confident buyers will still want to buy hotels in Scotland.”
The Newton boasts a conference centre that can accommodate up to 350 delegates and two popular Highland cows in its grounds.
Other big names who have stayed there include the late Larry Hagman and the then prime minister Harold Macmillan.
Pearchal also owned the Columba Hotel in Inverness which was recently sold.
Several other leading Highland hotels are currently on the market.
The 11-bedroom Ben Loyal Hotel at Tongue, Lairg, is valued at £450,000.
A group of four hotels comprising more than 400 bedrooms with a turnover of £6.9million is on the market in Tyndrum, Dalmally and Oban.
And the 18-bedroom Garth Hotel in Grantown is being marketed for £975,000.
Sir Charlie Chaplin died in 1977 at the age of 88.
