Vineyard view

It was in February 1800 that the Barnards (Irishman Andrew Barnard & his Scottish wife Lady Anne Barnard - nee Lindsay) moved into their new home "The Vineyard"

In 1894 a Scottish Banker - James Mitchell, decided to buy 'The Vineyard' - not so much as a home, but as an investment. He decided to turn it into a Hotel, and a formidable Irishwoman named Mrs. O'Sullivan was appointed to run it as 'The Vineyard Hotel'. Rudyard Kipling came out to the Cape in 1898 and stayed at the Vineyard for a while. He loved the surroundings and described the hotel as "a quiet place surrounded by oaks under the shadow of Table Mountain. He described Mrs O'Sullivan and her helpers:

"The hotel is kept by three thoroughly acid female devils, one with a moustache and no figure, who have made things just as unpleasant all around for the guests as the twelve hours of daylight would let 'em, but in spite of it all, we all got on very well!"

Well they're all very pleasant now.