| Administrative History | The Mowat family ran the Portland Arms Hotel in Lybster from 1881 to 1982. James Mowat, who owned the Royal Hotel in Thurso, acquired the hotel in 1881. His widow Catherine took over the licence following his death in 1886. She married William Gordon Coghill in 1893.
James and Catherine Mowat had at least two children, Margaret, and John Allan.
John Allan Mowat and Mena Gordon Innes Shearer married at the Royal Hotel, Tain on the 23rd of October 1903.
They ran the Portland Arms Hotel together from 1918 to 1945. They had six children; Margaret Jane, James, Doris Clair King (who died in infancy), John Allan King, Robert Innes and another daughter.
John Allan Mowat served in France in the First World War with the Fifth Seaforths. Later he became a Lieutenant in the Volunteer Force.
He was the ‘father’ of Caithness County Council, representing Lybster for many years. He was also a member of the Education Committee and chairman of the Southern district Council.
As well as a hotelkeeper he was a valuator, auctioneer and successful farmer. He served as President of the Latheron branch of the British Legion from its inauguration until his death.
John Allan passed away in 1941 aged 62.
His wife Mena was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Alexander Shearer, The Mill, Thrumster. As a hotelier she was well known for her hospitality and kindness. She was a committed supporter of Lybster Free Church. Mrs Mowat died in 1945 aged 63.
John Allan and Mena Mowat’s eldest son, James, was posted to northern France with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in January 1940. In May the German Blitzkrieg attack on France and the Low Countries began. James’ company was hit by the German Army on the 23rd of May. He managed to escape and was sheltered by the French Resistance for over a year before making his way home to Lybster. His family were unaware of his fate until they received a letter from James in June 1941. Original documents relating to this period as well as an account of his experiences are included in this collection.
James Mowat took over the Portland Arms in 1945 after the death of his mother. However, his experiences in France had taken a toll on his health and he died in 1951 aged 44.
Robert Mowat was the youngest son of John Allan and Mena Mowat. He served as a sergeant gunner in the RAF in World War Two. Robert (Bert) took over the Portland Arms in 1953 from his brother James’ widow Jean. Alongside his wife Elizabeth, he ran the hotel until 1982, when it was sold to Mr G. Henderson and passed out of the Mowat family for good.
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