Some Highland Hotels
This card boasts that the Salutation Hotel in Perth is the oldest established hotel in Scotland, with a date of 1699. Published unknown
Dalmally Hotel. A Valentine card registered in 1922. Bruce's Stone is in fact Bruce's Seat, an oddly-shaped rock on which the King is said to have sat.
Dalmally Hotel, by George Washington Wilson.
The Kingshouse Hotel, Glen Coe. A JB White postcard sent in 1934. The sender had had a "very wet ramble" that day!
Another photo of the Kings House Hotel, in snow.
The front of the Kingshouse Hotel, an early 20th century private photograph. One of two such photos.
The front of the Kingshouse. The ladies have clearly been donning their finery for the car journey ahead.
A CDV image by George Washington Wilson. Stronachlacher Hotel, on Loch Katrine. With its easy access from Glasgow, and Walter Scott associations, it was a popular tourist destination. This I believe is the original hotel that was purchased by Glasgow Corporation when the level of Loch Katrine was ra...
This must be the new hotel at Stronachlacher, built on higher ground when the level of the loch had been raised. The Walter Scott steamboat can be seen at the pier.
The Trossachs Hotel is a suitably ornate, turreted building for iconic an area. On this 1878 valentine photo, the coaches are lined up for the Trossachs Tour.
A James Valentine photo, 1878, of the Ben Lomond & Rowardennan Hotel. Lying beneath Ben Lomond, the hotel dates back to 1696.
Coaches gather outside the Cuilfail Hotel in Lorne, near Oban. Formerly a drover's inn, it was expanded in Victorian times, offering fine accommodation to sportsmen.
The Fife Arms Hotel, Braemar. The writer of this GWW postcard, sent in 1902, complains that the place was 'a bit dull'!
The Aviemore Hotel in an art card. The sender in 1906 advises a companion to catch the 7.45pm train from Euston, which will arrive 7.48am at Aviemore. Much the same service as today.
Where there was a station, there was likely to be a hotel. Even in so lonely a spot as Achnasheen in Ross-shire. Even now it is said to have a population of under 30 people. A JB White postcard.
Few hotels have a more striking position in Scotland than the Culag at Lochinver. The publisher of this lovely photo, with visiting steamship in the loch, and lady standing outside the thatched cottage is unknown.
Another early view of the Culag Hotel, with fishing vessels tied up at the pier. Published by "A. Mackenzie, The People's Shop, Lochinver.
The Clansman Steamboat at the pier in Lochinver, with the hotel behind. The shape of Suilven can JUST be made out immediately behind the hotel. The Clansman offered regular tours up the west coast of Scotland.
An unusual view of the Culag Hotel from behind, showing a neatly kept garden, probably growing produce for the guests. A card published by A. Mackenzie, Lochinver.
The Cluanie Inn, Glenmoriston. Publisher unknown.
The Cluanie Inn and Loch Cluanie. The hotel stands alone in Glen Shiel.
Its isolated location made it a favourite among Highland photographers. On this 1931 Valentine card, it is titled "Wild Country, Cluanie Inn, Glen Shiel, Ross-shire."
The Bridge Hotel at Bonar Bridge can be seen in this busy street view. A card sent in 1907. Publisher unknown.
A postcard published by JA Polson of the Bridge Hotel at Bonar Bridge. The shop is Polson's, and his staff have assembled outside.
Inchnadamph Hotel and Ben More Assynt.Peach and Horne stayed here when surveying the area for the Geological Survey. The association has given it a special aura. This a GWW card. (GW Wilson).
A later image by J.B. White.
Loch Duich Hotel. Publisher unknown. This slightly severe-looking building (now improved with a coat of white paint!) actually enjoys "one of the most iconic views in Scotland" - that of Eilean Donan Castle.
The Caledonian Hotel, Ullapool. A Valentine postcard, the image registered in 1879. The clock has since been re-positioned.
The Kinlochewe Hotel on Loch Maree, with Ben Eighe towering behind. A valentine photo registered in 1878. The loch was a favourite tourist destination, once access from the station at Achnasheen was possible.
An early postcard by F Swallow & Co., Glasgow of the Scourie Hotel on the west coast of Sutherland, a favourite with fishermen.
The Altnaharra Hotel, when it was under the care of GJ Christie who published the card. Another favourite with fishermen.
Drumbeg Hotel, Sutherland. JB White image with vintage cars.
A JB White card showing the Hotel at Kylesku. There was a ferry here until 1984 when the bridge was opened by the Queen.
Strathpeffer Spa. Clearly a popular destination in the summer, not just for the sick. A 'Wrench Series' postcard.
The National Hotel, Dingwall. A Valentine photo dating from 1913, a time when much transport was still reliant on horse-power (literally), but a car is present, and the hotel offers a 'Motor Garage.'
A GWW postcard (I suspect), sent in 1908. Found out in the wilds near Ledmore, this hotel is now called a motel.
I have come across very few early images of Highland inns - the General's Hut for example. But once the tourists started coming in greater numbers, and the quality of hotels improved, photographs and postcards became much more prevalent. Any hotel worth its salt was keen for customers to send off images of where they were staying, hopefully saying "this is a lovely hotel"! I offer here some photos, mainly late 19th/early 20th century images of hotels, especially those further to the north.
You may need to click on an photo to see the full image if it seems cropped, and also to the later examples I have added since I left Simplesite for one.com website compilers.
