Liquor licence applications - Fort William, Ben Nevis Inn, Major Variation

1. Operating plan:

Capacity of premises:

• The premises are presently undergoing extension works, with completion anticipated in December 2025. Upon conclusion of the works, the maximum occupancy will increase from 142 to 252 persons
• There will be no alcohol display area and off-sales will be dispensed from stock room/on-sales stock.

Activities:

• Update the following activities to allow them to take place ‘outwith’ core licensed hours – restaurant facilities; bar meals and outside drinking area.
• Restaurant facilities/bar meals/outside drinking areas may be utilised outside licensed hours.

Children’s Policy:

• Given that the premises are primarily food-led and family-friendly, the application seeks to update the Children and Young Persons policy of the premises to allow greater flexibility in access arrangements for children and young persons.
• As a result of the above-mentioned modification, remove the following local conditions currently attached to the premises licence in relation to children and young persons:

a.         Children under the age of 16 are excluded from any room where there is a bar counter after 2200 hours except during private functions or for the purpose of viewing live entertainment or where the child is in the room for the purpose of taking a meal.  This condition does not apply to any child who is in the bar solely for the purpose of passing to or from some other part of the premises being a part to or from which there is no other convenient means of access or egress.

b.         Whilst in any room with a bar counter all children must be in the company of, or supervised by an appropriate responsible adult.  This condition does not apply to children of the licence holder or children who are resident on the premises.

2.  Layout plan: Extend footprint of premises to include a two storey extension which will comprise of a new kitchen, office staff room and staff toilet on the first floor, an additional bar plus two toilets and restaurant/seating area downstairs with bifold doors onto a sheltered beer garden.

3. Premises description: Update description of premisesto reflect the above proposed modifications to the Premises Licence as follows:

"The premises is a detached, inn-style property located in a rural setting at the foot of Ben Nevis which comprise  a main restaurant area and an overspill restaurant/seating area; (each with a bar counter), an outdoor drinking area and self-catering accommodation.

The premises predominately caters to walkers, climbers and the general tourist market, with a strong emphasis on food service and traditional music ceilidhs. The main area at the Inn features a restaurant with a mezzanine area above. Alcohol within the main building is served from a bar counter which is locatednear to the toilet area. 

The self-catering accommodation offered by the premises is divided into two parts:

1. a lower level area comprising a Bunk House, adjacent to an additional bar and an overspill restaurant/seating area that opens onto a sheltered communal beer garden, which is available for use by both residents and diners; and
2. a separate annex known as “The Fank” Bunk House, located immediately to the south of the main building which also features a small outside drinking area.

Together, the self-catering accommodation can host a maximum of 48 residents.

The premises also offer off-sales, which is supplied from the stockroom or on-sales stock. There is no designated off-sales display area within the premises, although available products can be seen in chiller cabinets behind the bar counters.”

Object to or comment on this application

Highland Licensing Board on 16 September 2025