The Caledonian Hotel, Oban

The Caledonian Hotel had been grand in the days when the railway was grand, bringing fashionable visitors from Glasgow to the West coast. Since then it had fallen from faded grandeur to depressing anonymity. Bought by the Freedom of the Glen Family of Hotels, the idea was to restore it to four star status. The problem of course was limited funds and an as yet limited tourist trade. Working closely with their client, haa design had to be inventive not just in their use of finishes but in their forms of procurement to make a little go a long way. The result has been dramatic. Plans for phase 2 include a health centre and spa at roof level, set amongst chimney pots and seagulls overlooking Oban bay.