The History of The Scots Hotel
The historic building of The Scots Hotel was originally established in the 19th century by Dr. David Watt Torrance, a Scottish physician and surgeon, driven by a profound sense of mission to bring healing and care to the Holy Land. Dr. Torrance first arrived in Tiberias in 1884 as part of a delegation from the Church of Scotland. Shocked by the poor sanitary and health conditions in the area, he was determined to make a difference. In January 1894, Tiberias' first hospital opened its doors in the very building that today houses The Scots Hotel. Dr. Torrance managed the hospital while personally treating countless patients from across the region, including the residents of Safed. His years of devoted work were marked by personal tragedy — the loss of four of his children and both his wives — yet his resilience never wavered. Despite facing hardships with the Ottoman authorities, the trials of World War I, and even a severe car accident, Dr. Torrance remained committed to his mission, caring for thousands until his passing in 1923. His son, Dr. Herbert Torrance, joined him in 1921 and continued to run the hospital until his retirement in 1953. In recognition of his contribution, the mayor of Tiberias awarded him the city’s Gold Pin — a symbol of honor and gratitude. Dr. David Watt Torrance, along with his family members who passed away in Tiberias, are laid to rest beside the hotel’s historic pool. The hospital continued to operate as a maternity ward until 1959. And then the Scottish Church decided to open it as a guesthouse. In 2004 it opened as a hotel and is still owned by the church today.
Get a visual historical touch right here below By dragging the interface line between the images left and right, you can get a glimpse of original before and after images
