TV's B&B queen is served fan mail!
Kirsty Gibbins • Published 10 Nov 2011 09:28
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REALITY TV star Caroline Scott displays her 'Best B&B' certificate outside The Dean
Caroline (second right) with her fellow contestants (l-r) Nancy Hampson. husband-and-wife team Paul Billington and Flora Loizou, and Sue Dodd. Pic supplied by Channel 4
A BED and breakfast owner who showcased her business on national television hopes her star turn has helped "put East Lothian on the map".
Caroline Scott, owner of The Dean bed and breakfast in Longniddry, appeared on Channel 4's 'Four in a Bed' series last week. . . and was crowned the winner of the reality TV competition.
The show involves four B&B owners competing against one another, as they each try out the hospitality and facilities of their rivals. The contestants then decide how much to pay for their stay and who wins the coveted title of 'Best B&B'.
Caroline was invited to take part in the series by its producers and, in a whirlwind fortnight of filming in May, the mum-of-two travelled far - Great Yarmouth, Cambridgeshire and Temple Cloud, near Bath - to stay with her competitors.
Each competition in the series is aired over five days and Caroline was the final contestant judged.
Her hosting of the group at her five-bedroom B&B was broadcast on Channel 4 last Thursday.
She told the Courier: "It was an extremely stressful experience being surrounded by all those people every day and being filmed the whole time. I took complete stage fright but the Channel 4 crew never failed to be anything other than supportive."
As the host, Caroline took her guests to the site of the Battle of Prestonpans and gave a talk to the visitors on Bonnie Prince Charlie's victory.
One of her guests declaring she was "bored" by the history lesson - before the party was confronted and enlisted for battle by a band of 'soldiers'!
Caroline, originally from Aberlady, said: "I am fiercely proud of being Scottish and the history of this area and views. I wish it hadn't been so windy but the piper there was fantastic and the army truly spectactular."
Her guests also enjoyed dinner at Greywalls restaurant, Gullane.
Despite a "haphazard" but "entertaining" breakfast that left a stressed Caroline confessing to the cameras that she had become "unhinged", she was served with first place in the competition. The result were aired last Friday.
Caroline's rivals were all willing to pay full price for their stay at her B&B - not usually the case on the programme - while one contestant even added a £13 tip to the £80 asking price, after being bowled over by the "absolutely gorgeous" views from her room.
The Dean, which Caroline has run for three years, was also the only venue which all contestants said they would like to return to.
"The comments from the other contestants were incredibly generous and I found them quite overwhelming," she said.
"I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them all and I think we will be friends for life. Though it was a stressful couple of weeks it was very interesting to see how other businesses do things and a wonderful chance to learn from others."
Since the show was aired last week, Caroline has received a flood of fan mail from all over the UK.
"I have had an enormous response since the show aired," said Caroline.
"Someone emailed to tell me I have a fan club in Prestonpans and I've had people stop me on the street to tell me they found the show hugely entertaining.
"If this has helped to put Longniddry and East Lothian on the map then it's been worth it. And I'm glad I was able to do my bit to promote this beautiful county."
Caroline's appearance on 'Four in a Bed' can be viewed online at www.chan nel4.com/programmes/four-in-a-bed/4od
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Prestoungrange
5 posts
Nov 10, 10:05
Report commentWell done Caroline Scott!
It's a brilliant B&B you have and as you say, the Alan Breck Prestonpans Volunteers' re-enactments gave it something unique.
Next September you'll be Guest-of-Honour at the Battle Re-enactments in Prestonpans .... this is your invitation and Arran Johnston will follow up too.
And if you've not seen the Battle tapestry yet, come along to Prestonpans Town Hall [on the High Street] on November 30th or December 2nd/ 7th anytime from 12 noon to 4 pm and we'll give you a personal signed souvenir copy of the Official Guide...
Again, brilliantly done! May the B&B Prosper....
Gordon Prestoungrange
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