Hi from Skipper Cam!

I have 4 daughters, hence the name of my boatel, 'The Four Sisters'.

The idea came to me in 2007: I was looking to semi retire from the Hotel, Guest House and Youth Hostel trade, but wanted to keep my finger on the pulse.

One day I was walking my elderly westie, Hamish [may he rest in peace] along the canal looking at the wildlife and the boats, when I realised that the barges were really just like floating caravans; self sufficient, cosy and comfortable. I used to have a static caravan at Pease Bay on the East coast of Scotland when my children were younger and we spent many happy times there; and I began to imagine having a huge caravan parked in Edinburgh city Centre with everything right on my doorstep.

I'd recently been on a short break to Amsterdam and had admired and envied the fact that the Houseboats and Boatels were so central and everything you could want was right at your doorstep. With a kitchen to prepare your own meals, what a saving, as dining out three times a day cost an absolute fortune!

From that moment everything just slotted into place in my mind. What if I had a boat built to my own specifications that I could rent out on a self-catering basis?

I didn't want to go with the traditional houseboat style of wood burning stove and horse brasses, I wanted sleek and modern. I intended the Four Sisters to be a very comfortable retreat in the heart of Edinburgh City Centre aimed at the discerning guest.

I commissioned the boat to be built with two double cabins, kids bunk beds, shower room and as big a lounge and kitchen as was possible.

In the meantime I took my skippers licence examination and passed in November 2008 at the Seagull Trust in Falkirk: a proud day indeed!

The Four Sisters ended up being 55 feet long by 11 feet wide, with 6' 4" of headroom, which is a monster by comparison to your average narrow boat commonly seen on the British Canal system.

By July 2008 she was ready for delivery from a company in Wiltshire, just outside Brighton. I craned her carcass off the low loader into the Union Canal at Sighthill in Edinburgh and that's when I first fell in love.

The interior work started in earnest. I had her lined in light oak and floored with 20 mm solid oak and then I set about fitting out her interior.

The black high gloss galley kitchen has an electric oven and grill and a gas four ring hob, fridge, freezer [with copious amount of free ice], microwave and slow cooker are at your disposal. There are ample utensils, crockery, serving dishes and cutlery. A complementary hot refreshment tray is there for your use while on board.

I had comfortable double beds built into both of the cabins and children's bunk beds built into the recess opposite the shower room.

For the shower room I didn't want a caravan/boat WC, I wanted porcelain furniture with an on board system. I wanted a stone shower tray and not a shower curtain but a screen. All of these things had to be specially made to fit the limited space available. The wash hand basin is cute but small. I have not tried to miniaturise anything on board. The shower tray is 24" square, small but very adequate.

Eco toiletries are supplied along with all linen, towels and 2 towelling robes.

As you'll see from the photo, I painted most of the exterior of the Four Sisters myself. She took six coats of paint and it was extremely hard work. I'm still trying to decide if I want to add further artwork, or just keep her plain apart from the information panels.

I won't say we haven't had our share of teething troubles, but The Four Sisters has been worth every sleepless night!