The Chimala Hotel/Farm
Chimala Mission Hospital now owns the site of the old Chimala Hotel that the Cormack's owned. It is on the south side of the old Great North Road and the land runs up a little ways onto the slopes of the rift escarpment to the south. There is also a primary school, secondary school and bible college on the site, with around 700-800 students. Most living on the grounds.
Major Cormack and his wife sold the hotel along with apx. 400 acres around 1962 and went back to Scotland. This photo is the main building with bar and dining area and lounge. This photo is probably 5-8 years after it was last used as a hotel and was primarily used as storage at the time. The area has grown up in this photo. In its day, the hotel grounds were well manicured under some majestic and large riverine trees. Very scenic and beautiful. In the day you walked up to sable, buffalo, eland, roan, kudu, etc. euro mounts on the front veranda. I presume most were supplied by Keith. This hotel is where Keith based his hunting, onto what is now the Ruaha National Park and the Usangu Game Reserve. Kudu, bushbuck, bushpig, duiker, dik-dik, baboon, leopard, hyena, jackal, and Klipspringer were even present on the hotel grounds. Lions were present monthly.
There was an amazing fruit garden and vegetable garden to supply the hotel. Most fruit trees from all over the world will grow in this climate. (due to altitude, a temperate climate in the tropics) The Cormack's had a large assortment of different fruits.
These main buildings have been torn down for 20-30 years. Housing for the hotel was mainly rondavels. Parts of the rondavels are still visible today as walls of houses of the people that work at the hospital.. Unfortunately I have no photos of the rondavels.
I believe the Cormack's lived in this house, but stand to be corrected if someone knows better.
The Cormac's had the only European owned hotel/dining/ petro station between Iringa and Mbeya at one time. Most vehicles coming down the road filled up at the station.
The story goes that people would walk into the hotel and ask for a drink. Major Cormack would say that we only serve drinks with a meal. If you want a drink, you have to buy a meal. A true Scott.
Major Cormack was an Olympic marathon runner for the UK. He finished 14th in the 1906 games. I believe he was the first British subject to ever finish the Olympic marathon race. See results here.
http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1906/ATH/mens-marathon.html
Everyone that traveled the Cape Town to Cairo road between apx. 1930-1962 passed by or stopped at the hotel for a meal, petro or a bed. In it's day it was well known. Major Cormack was well know throughout East Africa at the time.
William, Hopefully this will help fill in a little history of your family for you.
All the best.