Kingussie’s Railway Rooms wins national commendation
The brave Kingussie couple who took on the job of regenerating the former Highland Council offices at the railway station - by turning them into a boutique hostel - have won a top accolade for winning through brilliantly.
Jillian and David Robertson, owners of the chic Railway Rooms accommodation, have been celebrating after their building restoration work received a ‘highly com mended’ certificate in the National Railway Heritage Awards in London.
The awards, supported by the rail industry and now in their 44th year, are held annually to celebrate the restoration and re-use of the railways’ built heritage.
This year’s competition saw nearly 60 entries across 10 categories, with the Railway Rooms being recognised in the commercial restoration section, for the sensitive transformation of the redundant railway building into boutique group accommodation.
The certificate was presented on behalf of the NRHA by Simon Hinsley, the secretary of the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership (CRP).
Mr Hinsley commented on the success: “The CRP is very keen to see redundant railway assets and buildings retained and repurposed and it’s really pleasing that Jillian and David’s hard work has received this recognition.”
The Robertsons shared their excitement, with Jillian noting: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised for something we’re so passionate about. Restoring and preserving this historic building has been a labour of love, and seeing it appreciated by the NRHA feels like the perfect reward for all the hard work we’ve put in.”
David added: “We’re thrilled that our vision for the Railway Rooms has come to d that it will continue to serve as a meaningful part of the local community while also contributing to the growing appreciation of the region’s railway heritage.”
It was no easy task, with the Strathy observing the development over the long haul and recalling some of the hoops the couple had to be put through to meet all the planning and environmental requirements.
Jillian told the Strathy earlier this week: “It turned into quite a project with more twists than a Hitchcock movie!”
But the lists of bureaucratic requirements have now been replaced by a visitors book crammed with lists of compliments about the facilities the couple now provide for a wide cross-section of tourists and walkers who are maybe moving up from ‘glamping’ of glamour camps to the ‘glamstel’, or glamour hostel, if the term may be coined.
As the owners explain in their promos: “Right on the Kingussie train station platform, the Railway Rooms offers comfortable, characterful, and environmentally friendly self-catering accommodation with 12 ensuite bedrooms for groups of up to 24 people.
“Developed by team development specialists Wild Thinking, the Railway Rooms are a great destination for work teams and groups of all sorts wanting a low-carbon and exclusive venue to escape to in the Highlands.”
