A HISTORIC hotel frequently visited by Robert Burns is going under the hammer at auction.
The four-floored former Queensberry Arms in Sanquhar has planning permission to turn it into a new restaurant and bar with five holiday apartments – with a nod to the famous past patron.
It’s where the Bard famously wrote the poem entitled “At Whigham’s Inn” in 1789 on one of his regular visits. The poem refers to the landlord of the former Queensberry Arms, Edward Whigham (1750-1823) who enjoyed a friendship with Burns for the duration of the Bard’s time in Dumfries.
A commemorative plaque, see above, displaying the poem currently sits on the front of the property, whilst illustrations show the intentions for the new restaurant and bar to be aptly named ‘Whigham’s Inn.’
Mandi Cooper, managing director of Auction House Scotland, said:
“The development project is one of a kind, offering a potential buyer the chance to own a piece of history, which woven into the development of the new premises, creates a wonderful legacy and story for the future business.”
