The historic Fife hotel where a cartoon legend is claimed to have been created could be about to change hands.
The 200-year-old St Michaels Inn, where Dennis the Menace is thought to have been drawn for the first time, has been put up for sale by its owner.
The tavern, located on one of north-east Fife’s busiest roads, is on the market for £795,000. Speaking to The Courier, owner Douglas Cruickshanks admitted he was selling the business with a heavy heart.
“I will be sad to see it go but I can’t stay here forever,” he said.
“I have been here for six years, which is quite a long time in this industry, so it’s time to move on. It has been a really good business and I don’t really want to sell it but there are other things that I want to concentrate on.”
Legend has it that artist Davey Law and Ian Chisholm, the chief subeditor of the Beano, made the first sketches of Dennis the Menace while seeking inspiration in the bar in 1951.
Although the name had already been coined, the pair had been struggling to find a distinctive look for the new character.
The story suggests the face that would become familiar to millions of youngsters was sketched on the back of a cigarette packet in the St Michaels Inn before finding its way into the pages of the Beano.
It is just one of the many tales which have emerged from the building throughout its long history but Mr Cruickshanks hopes many more will emerge under new ownership.
“A lot has gone into it and I would like to think that the new owner would keep it in good shape,” he added.
“We have 16,000 cars on that road every day and a strong local clientele as well so it’s a good business.”
As well as the hotel and bar, a detached house is also included in the sale.