Announcing the Fingal: Royal Yacht Britannia’s New Floating Hotel

You don’t have to be fan of The Crown (nor obsessed over the royal engagement) to appreciate this exciting new hotel project in Scotland. In Summer 2018, a luxury floating hotel will be unveiled by The Royal Yacht Britannia’s trading company, Royal Yacht Enterprises. The MV Fingal is a former Northern Lighthouse Board tender that was the last ship to be built by the Blythswood Shipbuilding Company in Glasgow; it’s now being converted into hotel with 23 guestrooms named after the famous lighthouses built by the Scottish engineer Robert Stevenson.

Interiors by Alan Pedley and Stephen Flanagan combine Art Deco touches with maritime heritage (and the color palette is said to take its inspiration from “the Fingal’s journey—from land and sea to the stunning landscapes of Scotland.” Top digs: the Skerryvore Suite, encompassing 575 square feet. There are also two luxury duplex cabins.

Measuring 237 feet long, the Fingal will be docked permanently in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith, next to the Royal Yacht Britannia. The Fingal will also offer prime city event space, with a dazzling ballroom accommodating 80 guests (fun fact: the retractable skylight is large enough to lower a car through). There will also be a Moët Hennessy signature bar and a restaurant highlighting Scottish cuisine. 

Andrew Thomson, head of hospitality & events with The Royal Yacht Britannia said, “Fingal is like no other in Scotland. It is a privilege to take this historic ship and create a new, exciting and world-class addition to the Scottish tourism landscape. The craftsmanship and design, inspired by Fingal’s provenance and heritage, coupled with the best of Scotland’s larder will ensure our guests’ experience on Fingal is truly memorable.” 

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