The Royal Highland Hotel, Inverness, formerly the Station Hotel, played a vital role in supporting the war effort. Before naval barracks were provided in the area, between 100 and 150 naval personnel arrived in Inverness by rail late one night only to discover the last train to their next destination had left. The hotel came to the rescue, taking them in and giving them mattresses on the floor.
Perhaps the most interesting story surrounding the hotel is when two guests were discovered to be spies. The pair – a man and a woman – were arrested and taken to London to be tried. Some of the hotel’s staff were called to give evidence against them. The man ended his career in the Tower while the woman was sentenced to penal servitude for life.
The long forgotten story was uncovered by the Inverness Local History Forum and is now outlined on a plaque installed at the hotel.
Artist Response
Working with the studio was a whole new experience, getting to use new equipment and learning new techniques. I liked the inking as it was a very hands-on, step by step process. I have chosen to make this image look the way it does because it makes you wonder what the spies were up to in the hotel.
The image represents the male and female spy standing in front of the hotel with a magnifying glass. This shows that the two spies that were involved in the hotel were up to something suspicious. I am very pleased with my work and hope others enjoy it.
Christina Mackenzie
Inverness High School
The story that Christina researched explored two German spies at The Inverness Station Hotel. Christina has lived in Inverness all her life and passed by the Station Hotel a few times but never knew of this interesting story. Christina is creative and enjoys studying building work and enjoyed exploring her story. In the future she hopes to continue studying art.
