Our History
The Torridon Timeline
Ben Damph House took 20 years to build, which began in the 1860's and was finally completed in 1887.
William King-Noel, the first Earl of Lovelace, built this hunting lodge in 1887. Lovelace was an English landowner, Lord Lieutenant of Surrey and a distinguished scientist. He gains a footnote in history for marrying Lord Byron's only legitimate daughter, Ada, a pioneering 'poetical scientist' who assisted Charles Babbage in understanding and writing the first computer program. She also developed a vision on the capability of computers to go beyond mere calculating or number-crunching while others, including Babbage himself, focused only on those capabilities. The Torridon is a good example of the kind of Scottish holiday home that the English nobility enjoyed after Queen Victoria made the Highlands of Scotland "respectable" again.
The original entrance was through the Dining Room until the addition of the clock tower. In order to build the house all materials had to be shipped in by the boat and even the soil in the kitchen garden was brought over from Ireland. The house was built during the 50th year of Queen Victoria's Reign and you will notice that the Hall and Eilean Chasgaig Room (the Dining Room) are dedicated to her. You will see that the Drawing Room has an unusual Zodiac ceiling. again another tribute to Queen Victoria who was fascinated by astrology.
The red sandstone of Torridon is created and the mountains rise out of the water to over 3000 ft.
The house is completed and setup as a Hunting Lodge. All materials for the house had to be shipped in by boat - even the soil in the kitchen garden was brought over from Ireland.
Royalty frequented this part of Scotland and Queen Victoria was said to have loved to travel the road between Torridon and Daibaig, accompanied by her personal servant John Brown.
In 1993 it was re-opened as The Loch Torridon Country House Hotel, and since then the family has invested hard work to restore it to its former glory and establish the hotel as a leading UK luxury property. Whilst ensuring that the house retained many of its original Victorian features, they wanted to offer their guests modern day comfort and service.
Awarded 'Best Newcomer' by the AA Hotel Awards.
The Ben Damp bar comes Ben Damph Lodges with the stables, sheds and buttery being converted into 12 bedrooms, pub and restaurant.
Dan and Rohaise Rose-Bristow (The Gregory’s daughter and son in law) join the business as managers, moving from London to Torridon.
The Torridon Kitchen garden is turned back into a productive 2 acre Victorian garden.
Rohaise wins 'Best Development of People' at the Highlands and Island Business Awards.
Daniel and Rohaise Rose-Bristow (The Gregory’s daughter), bought the business in 2004 having managed the property for 5 years. They continue the great tradition that has gone before and aim to exceed the expectations of all who visit Torridon. Included in the 'Top 200 Hotels in Britain'.
Winner of Scottish Activity Hotel of the Year – Scottish Hotel Awards.
Highly commended Icon of Whisky – Whisky Magazine Awards.
Join Pride of Britain Hotels Consortium.
Winner Highland Dining Out Experience – Highland Tourism Awards.
The Stables wins AA Scottish Pub of the Year 2008-09.
Awarded 4 AA Red stars and Inspectors Choice Hotel.
Scottish Activity Hotel of The Year – Scottish Hotel Awards (3rd time).
1887 Restaurant awarded AA 3 Rosettes for the first time.
Scottish Hotel of The Year – Scottish Hotel Awards (only hotel to have won it twice).
Become members of Luxury Scotland consortium.
Awarded Gold Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Completion of the carbon management programme from the Carbon Trust.
The Stables Awarded 4 stars from VisitScotland and AA.
Torridon wins Hotel of the year for Pride of Britain hotels.
Torridon converts to Biomass energy for heating and hot water.
Highland North Coast 500 is launched.
Celebrates 25 years as Independent family owned hotel.
Most Hospitable Hotel – Highland Tourism Awards.
Torridon Arcturus Gin Launched.
Torridon switches to a bore hole for all its water supply.
Rohaise becomes Chair of Apprenticeship in Hospitality Scotland.
The Torridon Hotel is awarded 5 stars from the AA.
Cateys Independent Hotel of the Year.
Awarded 3 Rosettes by the AA.
Awarded 5 Gold stars from VisitScotland.
Dan becomes Chairman of Pride of Britain Hotels for 2 years.
AA 5 Stars and 3 Rosette.
Boutique Hotelier – Leadership in Adversity award.
Food & Travel Readers awards – Rural Hotel of the year.
NOW accreditation – Earth Check 5 star.
Featured on BBC ‘Amazing Hotels of the World’.
Rohaise becomes a Master Innholder.
Rocket Composter installed to process all food waste.
5 AA Red Stars & 3 Rosettes.
30 years as Independent family owned hotel.