Guesthouse reaches lofty heights

More than 100 years ago it performed a great public service by receiving telegraph signals from the summit of Ben Nevis and transmitting them to shipping ports as gale warnings for skippers.

Now, guesthouse Glentower Lower Observatory, in Fort William, has received a gold Quality Assurance (QA) award from VisitScotland.

The national tourist board awarded it a Four Star Gold award.

The guest house on the shores of Loch Linnhe offers luxury accommodation.

In the 1890s and early 1900s, pioneering meteorologists built a weather observatory atop Ben Nevis, and a home for the observatory superintendent.

Glentower received signals from the summit, which were transmitted to Liverpool and other main ports, where warnings for gales were provided for the shipping industry.

The owners of the Glentower Lower Observatory were praised particularly for their genuine interest in guests as well as their pristine bedrooms.

The guest house was also awarded VisitScotland’s Taste Our Best award for its cooked breakfasts prepared with locallysourced products.

C h r i s T a y l o r , VisitScotland regional leadership director, said: “This is a clear recognition of their hard work and commitment in making sure each and every guest has a unique and memorable experience.”

Trevor Rosie, who owns and runs Glentower with wife Catriona, said: “We are absolutely delighted and feel very proud to have received the Gold Award from VisitScotland.

“We strive to give our guests the very best stay in the Highlands at Glentower Lower Observatory so it’s fantastic to receive this recognition.”