Alexandra Hotel Archives - Old Glasgow Pubs

Esplanade, Oban, Argyll.

The Alexandra Hotel was situated on the esplanade within its own ground, on the north side of the bay of Oban. It was established in 1870 and accommodated one hundred guests. The hotel had many beautiful paintings and was frequented like all the Oban hotels by tourists.

In the coffee-room a specious apartment on the ground floor, was a painting of great value by Sir George Reid, president of the Scottish Academy; Hugh Cameron, R.A.; David Cox, Colin Hunter, Paul Chalmers, P. Graham, (who got £800 for his last Academy picture,) David Murray, Horatio McCulloch, surely a list of names to the delights of art lovers and connoisseurs.

James McGregor Manager of the Alexandra Hotel Oban 1895

Manager Mr James Gregor. 1895.

There were two grand apartments unique in their way in Scotland. These were the ladies drawing-room, a perfect dream of what a lady’s dainty taste would desire, the selection of the colours, and, in fact, everything, of the smallest detail, betokening thoughtful care and cultivated good taste. A cabinet in this room containing curious and very valuable articles of vertu.

The Smoking-room was decorated with old armour, a perfect Elderado to the antiquary; whilst, rarer still, one side of the room was devoted to coats of arms and heraldry, amongst which was an ancient herald’s coat, beautifully made of silk, with the white horse of Hanover woven upon it.

Everything that modern science can suggest for the comfort and convenience of its patrons was to be found in this magnificent establishment, while its design, situation, and architectural arrangements leave nothing to be desired.

Mrs McArthur, the worthy and well-known proprietrix took an active part in the running of the hotel and she was assisted by Mr James Gregor as manager who so ably filled his responsible position here for over nine years.

Knowing his business thoroughly in every detail, a modest, retiring, courteous gentleman, Mr Gregor was certainly the right man in the hotel and was enviably popular with many guests and towns-people, merchants and tradesmen with whom he came in contact with.

148 Bath Street, Glasgow.

Alexandra Hotel, 1891.

Alexandra Hotel was erected in 1877, designed specially to meet the requirements of a really first class hotel and a decade later, on the entrance of a new tenant, it was entirely rearranged, newly decorated and renovated. There are four spacious floors about one hundred feet long by fifty feet wide in the building, which forms a large rectangular block at the corner of Bath Street where the entrance is and West Campbell Street. There are sixty bedrooms in the hotel, a drawing, dining, smoking and billiards rooms. There was also a number of private sitting rooms. A buffet, with the entrance from West Campbell Street is in connection with the billiards room.

This magnificent Hotel was erected by Mr Cranston of the Waverley Hotels, under his personal supervision.

Mr J Fritz Rupprecht, 1887.

In 1887 the Hotel was taken over by Mr J Fritz Rupprecht. Mr Rupprecht was born in Nunebery, Germany and came to the UK., in 1874. He made his way to Edinburgh where he spent a few years learning the trade as a waiter in the Banavie Hotel where he met his wife and got married, she was then the cook at the hotel. Shortly afterwards they came to Glasgow and ventured into the Alexandra Hotel, Hope Street. Three and a half years later he was asked to come and occupy the North British Station Hotel then the Queen’s, where he spent thirteen years service there. He then became the proprietor of the Ranfurly Hotel in Bridge-of-Weir, before he took over the Grand Hotel, Charing Cross, Glasgow.

Mr Rupprecht sadly passed away in 1905 leaving a son and two daughters.

Mr J F Rupprecht 1905.

Mr W R Cuddeford, 1891.

Mr W R Cuddeford the new landlord with his wife and his sister and some of the best staff in that business ran the hotel like clockwork. Mr Cuddeford worked in many first class hotels, clubs and other establishments, including the Golden Cross in Oxford, the Grand Hotel in Brighton, the Queen’s Hotel, Hastings and the Pal Mall Club, London. Mr Cuddeford then crossed the border and worked in the Golden Lion in Stirling and was engaged with the Carlton Club in London. He then came back to the north and worked in the Royal Hotel, Edinburgh and for five and a half years in the Cockburn.

In 1893 the annual dinner of the Old Spot Club was held here, which comprised a select number of gentlemen well known in trade circles, on Friday 23rd December, to celebrate the clubs anniversary. Mr George McLeod presided, Mr James Walker filling the croupier’s chair. The company included the following:- James Robson, Donald Ross, John Cameron, Simon Cameron, John Kennedy, Robert Dunn, John Ralph, Joseph Cox, Charles Nicol, Robert Swann, James Thomson and William McGill. Among the friends present were Messrs. Crawford Allan, A. B. Ross, J Thomas, W Aitken, D Carruthers, R McCulloch, J Irvine, T Gillespie of the Victualling Trades Review. On the following Saturday the annual election of office-bearers for the ensuing year took place as follows:- President Mr James Robson; Vice-President Mr John Ralph and secretary and treasurer Mr William McGill. The nominations were unanimous.

Mr David Cunningham, 1895.

Mr David Cunningham was born in Northern Ireland, where his father was a Land Steward.

He came to Glasgow in 1872 and engaged himself as a Confidential Servant to Dr Samuel Moore, with whom he remained until that eminent Surgeon died around 1893. Mr Cunningham subsequently accepted the management of a well-known Glasgow restaurant then on to the Alexandra Hotel in Bath Street, coming onto the market he was determined to succeed in the management of the hotel.

David had a valuable assistant of his wife in the management of the business. He is tending to refurnish the place from top to bottom. Cunningham was a Freemason, having joined the Lodge of St John No3 bis, in 1882 when Colonel Menzies was R.W.M.

Exterior view of the Alexandra Hotel, circa 1910.

Wedding party outside the Alexandra Hotel, circa 1900.

Advertisement for the Alexandra Hotel, 1895.

Alexandra Hotel postcard.

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