Police have launched an investigation after a fire broke out on the grounds of a former hotel in Ullapool.
Firefighters spent four hours at the disused Glenfield Hotel site on Old Moss Road on Wednesday night and into the early hours of this morning as they tackled the blaze.
The building – believed to be the hotel’s former staff quarters – was “badly damaged” by the fire.
Detectives attended the site yesterday as police and fire services launched a joint investigation to establish the cause.
Sources suggested that the blaze was “suspicious”.
An appeal was launched for any witnesses to come forward with information that could help the investigation.
It was the latest in a series of fires in the Ullapool area in recent weeks.
Last month, 93-year-old Sybil Grape was killed in a fire that was not thought to be suspicious at her home in the town’s Pulteney Street.
It is understood that there was also a fire reported at a tractor shed in the area in recent weeks.
A fire service spokeswoman said: “Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted at 8.40pm on Wednesday to reports of a fire in the grounds of the old, disused Glenfield Hotel site.
“Crews extinguished the fire using three hose-reel jets and ensured the area was safe before leaving the scene at 12.42am.”
A police spokesman said: “Police in Ullapool are appealing for any witnesses to an incident which occurred about 8:50pm last night.
“At this time, a report was received that a building was on fire in the grounds of the old, disused Glenfield Hotel site, Old Moss Road, Ullapool.
“As a result, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended to extinguish the blaze.
“The fire has left the building badly damaged and a joint investigation is being conducted by Fire and Police Services to establish the cause of the fire.
“Police are appealing for anyone with any information regarding this fire to please contact Police Scotland on 101.”
