The Scottish Hotel in Tiberias, nestled within the historic buildings of the Scottish Mission, has a rich legacy dating back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. This site is a testament to the unwavering dedication of Dr. David Watt Torrance, affectionately known as the 'Galilean Doctor.' Despite encountering initial resistance from local rabbis due to his missionary activities, Torrance's perseverance and heroic efforts during two cholera epidemics earned him widespread respect and saved countless lives.
Torrance's legacy was furthered by his son, who, in the mid-20th century, established a nursing school at the hospital. By the early 1990s, the hospital underwent a remarkable transformation, evolving into a guesthouse and eventually a hotel that caters to pilgrims and travellers. Today, the Scottish Hotel seamlessly blends hospitality with history, offering a serene retreat that preserves its connection to the region’s traditions.
A stroll along the Tiberias promenade, a mere hour-long, is a journey through time. It's a place where the lives of Prague and Vitebsk rabbis intersect with the legacies of Israeli generals and politicians. Here, the figures of Roman rulers, Jewish sages, medieval knights, and Muslim merchants, a diverse ensemble of history, come to life.
Initially, it may appear as a modest waterfront in a small lakeside town. However, it harbours numerous unexpected twists of history, stories that are now known to only a few, offering a surprising peek into the layered past of this remarkable city.
