Observatory Hotel, Ben Nevis, 1880s

When it opened in July 1885, it was literally the top hotel in Britain; 4400 feet up on the summit of Ben Nevis. The lofty hostelry was the idea of Fort William hotelier Robert Whyte and built as an annexe to the mountain-top meteorological observatory in just 10 days. Run by two sisters, it was open from June to October and three shillings would buy you lunch, 10 would get you dinner, bed and breakfast – much to the delight of weary walkers: ‘words fail to express my delight at seeing the word HOTEL and more especially the fact of being able to get a few cups of tea prepared hastily by two of God’s creatures’. Perhaps wisely, no booze was served and it became known as the Temperance Inn. When the observatory closed in 1904 the hotel expanded into the buildings, but it too shuttered during war in 1916. Thanks to the weather – and climbers who pinched lead from the roof to fund an expedition to Everest – very little remains and you do now have to carry your own refreshments to the summit of Britain. Download a Ben Nevis route guide at walk1000miles.co.uk/bonusroutes