Scotland’s first floating ‘boatel’ in Edinburgh
For Camillia McLachlan who is 51, it is a long accomplished dream come true. In fact she made a great effort and went through nightmares to establish the first thing of it’s kind in Scotland, a floating ‘boatel’ named, 4 Sisters.
This boatel has solid oak floors, a well-stocked bar and flat screen TVs in every room, just like any other hotel at Lochrin Basin in Edinburgh. Despite its homely comforts, this floating hotel has had a £20,000 fit-out and now boasts a sparkling black and chrome kitchen, central heating and shower room.
The hotel is named after Camilla McLachalan’s grown-up daughters, who have painted a design of lilies on the roof. It can be hired by the hour for afternoon or evening parties, or by the night for holidaymakers, and has two double rooms, two bunks and a sofa bed. No meals are provided, but Ms McLachlan will be always there to lend you a helping hand.
McLachlan had planned at first to run 4 Sisters as a hire boat, but discovering the difficulties to steer it, later decided to keep it moored. However, the things didn’t work out well at first even after the boat was moored. After loads of hardships ’4 Sisters is now ready to open its doors to visitors in Lochrin Basin. She is also planning to open a second boat in Glasgow and then eventually to have a whole fleet of boatels.