New glory beckons for former top fishing hotel

The remote Altnaharra Hotel was originally a drovers' inn, dating back to the 17th century. With access to some of the country's finest river and loch fishing, it attracted anglers for more than 170 years, earning itself a reputation as a world-class fishing and shooting destination.

However in recent years it has changed hands several times and has been closed to residential guests for more than two years.

New owners Duncan Mason and his father Roy, who run a family building and undertakers' business near Milton Keynes, were regular visitors to the hotel during fishing trips going back 25 years.

Duncan Mason, 46, who also runs a London-based property company, said they wanted to give the business stability and bring back the days of a good sporting lodge.

The hotel will employ up to eight people in the summer in an area with a population of just over 20. Altnaharra, which lies between Lairg and Tongue in Sutherland, has few other amenities and is more than 70 miles from the nearest city, Inverness.

The village is also frequently one of the coldest places in Britain. On 30 December, 1995 the lowest temperature UK weather record was at Altnaharra, at -27.2C and in January this year it was the coldest place in the country at -22C.

But on 20 March last year, it was also the warmest place in the UK, recording 18.5C.

Yesterday, Colin Campbell said: "It will be a challenge getting people back but there is a lot of interest and it's looking promising.

"The reputation goes back a long time and is still there. The fishing portfolio will be built up again having been lost under previous owners."