Edinburgh’s floating hotel crew secure HIT Scotland scholarships

A smartly dressed man stands on the deck of a ship.
Fingal guest experience and environmental manager Charles Granleese has received the Frank Mullen Bespoke Scholarship.

Two crew members of Edinburgh’s luxury floating hotel, Fingal, have been awarded Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland scholarships.

Following a ‘rigorous’ application process, guest experience and environmental manager Charles Granleese has received the Frank Mullen Bespoke Scholarship to support his personal development.

At the same time assistant beverage manager Matty Tomaszewski has been awarded the Whisky Scholarship.

A young bearded man makes an extravagant looking drink behind a gold bar
Fingal’s Matty Tomaszewski has been awarded the HIT Whisky Scholarship

Granleese said: “To win a sought-after HIT Scholarship is an incredible honour.

“For the ‘Frank Mullen Bespoke’ award I was able to propose that a focus on brand development would be the catalyst to boost my career to the next level.

“At the heart of my idea is celebrating the history of Fingal and the links to Scottish lighthouses, and ensuring our ship is recognised as a global brand delivering exceptional guest experience.”

Director of hospitality for Fingal Hotel and The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ross McLean, added: “We’re very proud of Charles and Matty’s achievements and look forward to seeing them continue to excel and flourish in their fields.”

Permanently berthed in Edinburgh’s Port of Leith, Fingal is Scotland’s only five-star luxury floating hotel. Fingal’s Lighthouse Restaurant also holds two AA Rosettes for culinary excellence.

Fingal has already won numerous awards

Re-launched as a luxury hotel in 2019, the former Northern Lighthouse Board tender is owned and operated by the team at The Royal Yacht Britannia, which is permanently berthed just 10 minutes away.