Arson concerns over Alness hotel attack
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ATTEMPTS were made to set fire to a Ross-shire hotel in the small hours of the morning while people were asleep inside.
The gravity of the attack on the Station Hotel in Alness became clear as Northern Constabulary renewed an appeal for information from the public and revealed an apparently more sinister overtone to the incident.
As previously reported, "substantial damage" was caused to the High Street hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning.
In a statement issued after the initial appeal, Northern Constabulary added, "It appears that attempts were made to set fire to the hotel, which would have had very serious consequences as there were a number of people asleep in the hotel at the time.
"Police are appealing for information from anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area or who may have seen someone possibly disgarding items of clothing in the Alness area at the time, between the town centre and the Kirkside, Coulhill and Firhill areas."
Built in 1904, the hotel is marked out by a distinctive corner tower overseeing the centre of the town and main shopping area. It has a total of seven bedrooms, a restaurant/lounge bar, traditional public bar and car parking and advertises rooms starting at £30 per night.
The hotel was initially built to serve the seasoned railway tourists of the time. It is a listed B building, as recognised by The Historic Scotland Trust
During both world wars, the Station Hotel was extensively used by the armed forces, as was the adjacent Cromarty Firth as a secure naval base.
According to marketing material on the hotel's own website, the building itself was owned by the goverment for over 50 years, and still retains most of its original features.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the police in Alness on 0845 600 5703 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Welcome to the Station Hotel located in the award winning town of Alness.
Alness is renowned for its a lavish floral displays that has won it many prestigious awards over the last decade including Britain in Bloom and Scotland in Bloom.
The Hotel was built in 1903 and is distinctive by its elegant corner tower overseeing the Town Centre and main shopping area. It has 7 bedrooms, a restaurant/lounge bar, traditional public bar and car parking.
The hotel is a family business run by Gary Batchen.
Various rooms avaliable from £30pn
The Station Hotel was built in 1904 to serve the seasoned railway tourists of the time. The building is very picturesque with its distinctive looks and circular spire looking in 3 directions over the town centre. The hotel is a listed B building, as recognised by The Historic Scotland Trust
During both World Wars the Station Hotel was extensively used by the Armed Forces, as was the adjacent Cromarty Firth as a secure naval base.
The building itself was owned by the Goverment for over 50 years, and still retains most of it's original features to this day, however has been tastefully updated to allow for all modern amenities.
