Hotel goes from dismal to delightful in just four years
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ONCE known as one of the dingiest places in the country, John O’Groats was yesterday the focus of a top architectural award.
Just four years ago, locals refused to accept Urban Realm’s Carbuncle Award after declaring the tourist mecca the most dismal in Scotland.
But after millions of pounds were ploughed into the redevelopment of the area, architects behind the revamp were recognised at the Scottish Design Awards.
GLM, which redeveloped the former John O’Groats Hotel, won the Regeneration Award for the Inn at John O’Groats, the focal point of Natural Retreats’ upmarket holiday complex.
In 2011, the firm began work on its £6 million redevelopment project, which included investing £2.5 million in the transformation of the long-time derelict hotel. The Inn at John O’Groats was the only Highland entry among 27 buildings from across Scotland in line to win the sought-after award.
Project architect Neil McAllister said when GLM first took on the project, they knew it was going to take more than an ordinary building to lift the reputation which Urban Realm described as a “run-down, monochrome, national embarrassment” and to re-establish John O’Groats as a desirable tourist destination.
Although it would have been cheaper to flatten the site and start again, he said the existing building was viewed as an iconic part of the landscape.
Mr McAllister said: “To pick up this award only four years after the Carbuncle Award is an indicator of just how much hard work has been done in such a short time by the whole team,” he said.
“It’s great to see that making such a bold – and potentially controversial – architectural statement has paid off and been recognised.”
As part of Natural Retreats regeneration programme, the site now accommodates 19 self-catering apartments.
Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council chairman John Green said the village had changed beyond all recognition since it was awarded the Carbuncle Award in 2010.
He said he hopes the money which Natural Retreats had invested would encourage tourists to make more than one visit to John O’ Groats.
“Natural Retreats has done a fantastic job in the regeneration of the area,” he said.
“The former John O’Groats Hotel was in a bad state until refurbishment work took place.
“The trick now is to get people to come and stay in John O’ Groats and make it a viable business. The quality of the accommodation is very good, so if they visit once hopefully they’ll come back again.”
