Five-star Cameron House hotel to reopen after fatal fire

A luxury hotel damaged by fire in which two people were killed is set to reopen.

A view of the Cameron House Hotel. Picture: Les Gallagher

Management at Cameron House on the banks of Loch Lomond have said they plan to carry out a “careful and sensitive” restoration of the building after it was gutted in the blaze.

Journalist Simon Midgley, 32, and TV producer Richard Dyson, 38, from London, died following the fire on December 18, last year.

The hotel was closed “indefinitely” following the tragedy and forensic specialists, who are investigating what caused the blaze, were only allowed access to the structure last month.

But an announcement has now been made that the hotel will reopen in autumn 2019.

In a statement, Cameron House said: “Cameron House on Loch Lomond will embark on a careful and sensitive restoration project which will see Cameron House Hotel, the Leisure Club, the Great Scots Bar and Cameron Grill remain closed until autumn 2019.

“The Spa at Cameron House, the Carrick Golf Course, the Marina, Cameron Lodges, the Boat House and Claret Jug restaurants remain open as usual.”

More than 200 guests were evacuated from the building, including a family of two adults and a child who were rescued by ladder and taken to hospital.

Around 70 firefighters tackled the blaze in the main building of the five-star hotel, which has been closed since the fire.

The main core of the hotel, dating from the 18th century, was destroyed by the fire, which spread through the reception and rooms above.

Mr Midgley, a travel journalist with the London Evening Standard, and his partner Mr Dyson, a TV producer, were staying at the hotel for a festive break.

Last month Jane Midgley, Mr Midgeley’s mother, claimed very little information had been given to the families.

She said: “I want to know why my boy isn’t coming back home to me.

“I want to know why they couldn’t get out of that building and I want the whole world to know.

“Simon and Richard were both beautiful boys, the nicest you could ever meet. Answers aren’t going to bring them home but we need to know the full facts.”

A crowdfunding appeal raised more than £12,000 to cover funeral expenses and to pay for a celebration of Simon and TV producer Richard’s lives.