What’s it like turning your biking passion into business?

For most of us, motorcycling isn’t exactly a money maker. Quite the opposite. But there are people making a good living from it. So, how do they combine something as emotive as biking with cool-headed business acumen? Here’s Dave Smith from the biker-friendly Buccleuch Arms hotel with tips about how he does it, and even an opportunity for you to turn that dream into reality…

When you ride your bike into Moffat, the postcard-perfect Scottish town nestled between Dumfries & Galloway and the Borders, you can’t miss the Buccleuch Arms hotel. Its Georgian façade looks like it’s been a local landmark way before motorcyclists discovered the area — and it has, since 1760. But the hotel hasn’t always been the thriving business it is today. So, how did that happen?

Enter the hotel, and the first person to greet you is likely to be Dave Smith: hotel owner, motorcyclist, and the driving force behind the UK’s premier rider-friendly hotel. “We’ve spent more than twenty years building a business that doesn’t just accommodate motorcyclists,” Dave says, “but celebrates them. This place is as much about the journey as the destination.” And what a journey it’s been.

From Coaching Inn to Rider’s Haven

The Buccleuch began life as a coaching inn — a place for weary travellers to rest their horses. Today, it’s a place for not-so-weary touring riders to rest their bikes. Over the last two decades, Dave and his family have transformed it from a traditional country hotel into a thriving hub for two-wheeled adventurers.

“It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel,” Dave laughs. “We just polished the spokes.”

Under his ownership, the Buccleuch has become a name recognised and revered across the UK and even beyond. Touring groups book months ahead. Riders from across Europe plan their routes to include it. And it’s not just the motorcycling crowd — walkers, cyclists, eagle tourists and stargazers all find a warm welcome.

Built by Riders, for Riders

There’s a good reason why touring bikers love the area around Moffat: step outside the front door of the Buccleuch and the roads just unfold. Scotland’s Lowlands are a rider’s dream — sweeping bends, open valleys, and almost no traffic. “You can ride hundreds of miles around here and barely see any traffic or touch a main road,” Dave says. “It’s the kind of riding that reminds you why you fell in love with bikes in the first place.”

But even with ideal surroundings, the hotel still needed to step up the game to really give motorcycle guests something they don’t get anywhere else. The Buccleuch team has mapped out hundreds of routes, all downloadable straight to your sat-nav or phone. There’s a washing bay for road-weary bikes, secure storage, drying rooms for wet gear, and even garages with power outlets.

“We’ve had GSs next to Fireblades, and Harleys next to Africa Twins,” Dave grins. “It doesn’t matter what you ride — everyone’s part of the same tribe when they roll in here.”

More Than a Bed for the Night

Inside, the Buccleuch is part cosy country inn, part rider basecamp. Every room is modern, spotless, comfortable, and practical — USB ports, flat screens, good coffee, and showers that could wash a rally bike. The Georgian lounge, complete with its roaring fireplace, makes the perfect end-of-day pit stop.

The food? Let’s just say you won’t be going to bed hungry. Locally sourced and cooked with flair, the menu runs from hearty breakfasts to creative evening specials. “We keep it proper,” Dave says. “Quality ingredients, local produce, and a pint that tastes even better after a long ride.”

Their bar selection reads like a love letter to Scotland — single malts, craft gins, and local ales, all served with the same warmth that keeps guests coming back. In fact, 76% of visitors are repeat customers, with many returning for their third or fourth stay. “That’s the best review you can get,” Dave says. “When people come back again and again, you know you’re doing something right.”

Beyond Biking

Dave and his family have been careful not to put all their eggs in one basket, and the hotel has potential well beyond the motorcycle business. Guests have plenty of options when in Moffat — the Southern Upland Way for walkers, world-class 7stanes trails for mountain bikers, and dark skies for stargazers. Every September, the town hosts the Moffat Eagle Festival, celebrating the reintroduction of golden eagles to the region — and the Buccleuch plays a major role as the event’s bustling HQ.

“We even gained naming rights to one of the eagles,” Dave says proudly. “We called him Buccy. He’s part of the family now.”

What’s the secret to success?

There’s no corporate gloss here — just passion, experience, and the kind of hospitality you can’t fake. Everything runs like clockwork, thanks to decades of fine-tuning. From the booking systems to the kitchen timings, Dave has built a business where professionalism meets personality.

“The goal was simple,” he says. “Build a hotel where I’d want to stay if I were touring Scotland. Turns out, plenty of other riders feel the same way.”

Whether you arrive on a Ducati, a Triumph, or a trusty old Pan European, one thing’s certain — by the time you leave the Buccleuch, you’ll already be planning your return.

Opportunity of a Lifetime

Here’s the big reveal: after more than twenty years at the helm of the Buccleuch Arms hotel, Dave is looking to take a step back and retire. “I’ve loved every minute of it,” says Dave. “Running the Buccleuch has never felt like work — it’s been a privilege. We’ve built a place where riders feel truly at home, surrounded by a network of incredible riding routes. The business is solid, bookings are strong, and now it’s time for someone new to take it forward. Ideally, someone who shares that same love of bikes and the lifestyle that comes with them.”

So, the question is: Is that someone you? Could you see yourself running a thriving biker-friendly hotel and waking up in biking nirvana every day?

Opportunities like this don’t come around often. So, if you’ve ever dreamed of swapping your daily grind for a life of real adventure, this might just be your next big ride. If you want to know more about the Buccleuch and everything that’s included in the sale, call Dave Smith on 01683 263791 or find out more about the Buccleuch at www.buccleucharmshotel.com.

So, it looks like combining biking and business is not just a dream, but a genuine possibility. We can’t wait to see who the next owner of the Buccleuch will be to greet us at the door. Is it you?