When rival railway companies built their plush hotels at their termini at opposite ends of Edinburgh's Princes Street a hundred years ago, they little realised that their establishments would continue to be regarded as the premier accommodation in the Capital in the 21st century. But times change and so do names and ownership. The North British Hotel, which opened beside Waverley station in 1902, is now The Balmoral Hotel (despite being 100 miles away from the Queen's Deeside residence) and is now part of the Rocco Forte Hotels group. Meanwhile, the Caledonian Hotel, at the other end of Edinburgh's main thoroughfare, has more or less retained its name as the Caledonian Hilton, but has changed hands again this week. The new owners of the favourite Edinburgh hotel of Sean Connery and a host of other personalities, is a consortium of Israeli investors, backed by the HBOS banking group. The 251-room Caley (as it is popularly known locally) was put up for sale last October. Although Hilton Hotels Corporation will continue to run the hotel under a long-term contract, the new owners are planning a £15 investment to restore it to its former glory. PS NIGEL STAYED AT THIS HOTEL SEVERAL TIMES.
-- Edited by Rabbie Downunder at 01:51, 2007-08-12
Hi Rab, My wife and I stayed at this hotel for two nights in May this year. Tis a pity to see many parts of my country owned by "foreigners" as has been the case for many years.
Hello Andy, yes its a shame allright, the same thing is happening here, we don't even own Vegemite anymore. Glad you got to stay there; I hear the red sandstone construction is terrific.
PS Isn't it great having our own forum site. one of the photos is inside The Scottish Shop in Beechworth Victoria.
-- Edited by Rabbie Downunder at 12:51, 2007-08-12
It is indeed grewat to have this site 'tis apity that it so rarely used by the group.
I liked the picture and I love Beechworth. One of my favourite areas is the Ovens Valley. I learned to ski at Mt Hotham and stayed in Bright many times. I have a great painting done on the top of Mt Buffalo.
Many years ago I almost bought a wee motel in Bright.
G'Day Andy, I have more photos of the Beechworth area which I will post soon, Me First born's Father in Law has a beaut place there and I go up when I can, the wee Scottish shop is a delight, unfortunately I was still learning to drive my new camera at the time, hence the focus, this one is better, Cheers, Rab.
-- Edited by Rabbie Downunder at 02:36, 2007-08-13