SCOTLAND’S HOTELS ARE KEPT IN ORDER BY GREAT HOUSEKEEPERS. THIS MONTH WE FEATURE SEVEN… AND THE SECOND ONE IS PETER MACPHERSON
PETER MACPHERSON
Age: 65
Number of staff: 4-6
Number of rooms: 27 between the two hotels
House Manager, Dusidale and Toravaig House, Isle of Skye
How long have you been a Housekeeper and how did you get into it?
I’ve been with Sonas Hotels since 2006. I kind of drifted into it. Originally I trained as front house about 50 years ago and then worked in the kitchen. I started helping out with houseeping in the winter months when it was quieter and I enjoyed it. When I felt l was too old for cooking I moved into it full-time.
What would you do in a typical day?
Obviously we check the rooms and our stocks. We check
that we have what we need and what we have available and
then I get the team organised. We definitely work as a team.
I usually start about 9am and I work until 5pm sometimes it
also involves evening work. Basically part-time compared to
what it used to be.
What labour saving device or product could you not live without?
My Henry Hoover. I can use them for any part of the hotel. For instance, we have four poster rooms and I use the Henry to clean the canopes.
What would you say was your biggest challenge or hardest part of the job?
Just keeping our stock under control. At this time of year we only get one delivery a week but Fishers are great. Nothing is too much of a problem which makes my life easier.
The way I look at it, if there is a problem look for a solution. If anything goes wrong it’s not anyone’s fault.
What is your favourite part of the job?
Seeing everything is done properly. I like it when everything is clean and tidy and our guests are happy.
Any tips for aspiring housekeepers?
Enjoy it. You get a lot of satisfaction out of this job, particularly when all your rooms are clean. And of course it helps when you get on with your colleagues – you can carry them with you.