Hotel sprinkler law to be named after victims of Cameron House fire

Sprinklers are to be made mandatory in old buildings which are converted into hotels – with the Scottish Government saying the new law will be named after two men killed in the Cameron House fire almost eight years ago.

Secondary legislation has been laid in the Scottish Parliament to bring about the change, which was recommended in a fatal accident inquiry held into the deaths of Simon Midgley and Richard Dyson.

The couple, from London, were killed when a blaze engulfed the five-star hotel on the banks of Loch Lomond in December 2017.

Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan has confirmed that if the change is approved by Holyrood, it will be known as “Simon and Richard’s Law” to honour the the two men.

The inquiry into their deaths heard it was a “real or likely possibility” that if sprinklers had been installed and had “worked to inhibit the extent and spread of the fire and smoke”, Mr Midgley and Mr Dyson would “have been able safely to escape the building”.

Ms McAllan said: “Simon and Richard’s Law will ensure that any future conversions of historic buildings in Scotland into hotels will be required to have sprinklers installed.

“This is part of a package of work we are taking forward as a result of the Cameron House hotel fire to improve public safety in Scotland and reduce the risk of a tragedy like this happening again.”

Other changes to be brought in in the wake of the blaze will see a ban on combustible external wall cladding systems being extended to include hotels, guest houses, hostels and boarding houses.

These should come into effect from April 6 2026, assuming the measures are approved by MSPs.

The measures were announced after Ms McAllan, together with victims and community safety minister Siobhian Brown, met Mr Midgley’s mother Jane last week.

Ms McAllan said: “I want to pay tribute to the Dyson and Midgley families and the strength of Ms Midgley for her tireless campaigning over the last few years to improve the laws that govern fire safety in Scotland.

“The fatal accident inquiry into their deaths made a number of recommendations, including for the Scottish Government to introduce a requirement for sprinklers to be installed when historic buildings are converted to hotels. I am pleased to have introduced this change in law to the Scottish Parliament.”