A north-east hotel devastated by a huge blaze is rising from the ashes – and should reopen later this year.
The B-listed Darroch Learg at Ballater was badly damaged in the incident despite the efforts of about 60 firefighters.
The blaze broke out on the second floor of the B-listed building and spread to its roof, which has now been reinstated by owners Nigel and Fiona Franks.
The couple suffered a double blow last year when their Ballater restaurant was destroyed in a separate fire at the Old Royal Station in May.
And last night Mr Franks, 64, said he was hopeful the hotel would be reopened by autumn this year as work on the interiors gets underway.
The businessman – whose family have owned the hotel for 55 years – said they had managed to salvage the original woodwork, and ground floor doors and furniture.
However, Mr Franks said everything from the second floor had been lost to the flames.
He added: “The roof is more or less completed, there is a couple of wee bits to finish. There has been a lot going on, we salvaged as much as we can. We have retained as much of the character as we can.
“We must bear in mind the Darroch Learg was loved for what it was, we want people to come to the Darroch Learg and recognise it.
“There will be changes, the stairwell has to be replaced with something fireproof. Hopefully in many respects it will be better.
“We have salvaged the original woodwork and a lot of furniture has been salvaged and will be restored. Everything on the second floor was lost and a lot of the first floor.”
Originally he had hoped the Darroch Learg would be reopened by spring this year following the blaze in February 2015.
However, contractors in the Deeside village have been working flat out after Storm Frank hit on December 30, flooding 307 homes and 60 businesses in Ballater alone.
Improvements including enlarged bathrooms, insulation, double glazing and a lift are being included in the hotel rebuild.
Mr Franks said things were on the up in the village, adding: “Shops in Ballater are already coming back, the butcher is back, others are coming back. The golf course is now fully opened.”
