Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie and Simon Midgley and partner Richard Dyson, who may have survived if such systems had been in place.
by Democrat reporter
The Scottish Government has pledged to introduce new regulations to prevent a repeat of the fatal Cameron House Hotel fire.
The move comes after MSP Jackie Baillie, joined forces with Jane Midgley – who lost son, Simon, in the 2017 blaze – in a campaign to secure safeguards.
Jane’s campaign culminated in ‘Simon and Richard’s Law’ – named after Jane’s son and his partner, Richard Dyson.
The pair sadly lost their lives in the blaze which engulfed the historic Loch Lomondside hotel almost eight years ago.
New regulations will force developers to install automatic fire suppression systems – such as sensors and sprinklers – where old buildings are converted into hotels of more than 14 rooms.
A Fatal Accident Inquiry into the deaths of Simon Midgley and partner Richard Dyson, found that they may have survived if such systems had been in place.
Now, ‘Simon and Richard’s Law’, will cement the recommendation from the FAI – which concluded in 2023 – into legislation.
Jackie Baillie, whose Dumbarton constituency includes Cameron House, said: “Simon and Richard’s Law is the result of an eight-year campaign by Simon’s mother, Jane, who has been tireless in her search for justice.
“I am grateful to Mairi McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Minister for Community Safety, Siobhian Brown for listening and acting on Jane’s concerns.
“This regulation will ensure that any new, large hotel developments must make the safety of guests, a paramount concern.
“I know Jane will never rest until all hotel developments are safe and I will continue to support her campaign.”
The MSP has worked with devastated Jane since the blaze to secure improvements in hotel safety.
Their efforts led to the Scottish Government convening an expert group to examine fire risks in historic buildings.
Sheriff Thomas McCartney made six recommendations following the FAI into the two men’s deaths, as a result of the fire in December 2017.
He recommended that the Scottish Government consider a requirement for future hotel conversions in historic sites to be fitted with specialist fire systems.
A blaze had engulfed the historic 15th century former castle after hot ashes from an open fireplace were stored in a cupboard.
Both men died as a result of the inhalation of smoke and noxious gases.
This is a five star hotel. It is expensive.
And like so much of Scotland it is ultimately owned in an offshore tax haven jurisdiction.
Last week the Cameron House was advertised for sale for the huge sum of of over £100 million. That’s a lot of money in anyone’ s book. Big profit there for the owners.
And with a big house on iconic lochside land going for such a huge sum its not difficult to see the money that is to be made on developing real estate on iconic loch Lomond.
So how much are Flamingo Land paying for the 38 acres of public land that is being sold to them for a commercial in confidence secret price understood to be but a handful of tens of thousands of pounds. Why can the public not be told?
And could this be why Flamingo land, a theme park operator turned retail developer, have doggedly pursued a deal for what is now over a period of then years.
Las Vegas on the Loch might be an apt strap line. A big money win perchance?