About Us
Prior HOSTs
Mrs Lita Hamilton
Mrs Jaqueline Cowan (Mrs C)
After a varied career in the hospitality industry which included tenure at establishments like the Hamilton Princess in Bermuda, the Prince of Wales in Waterton, Yoho Lodge and the Lake Agnes Tea House, Lita Hamilton, finally settled in Banff in 1964 and bought Tan-Y-Bryn.
Her daughter's family soon followed and Mrs C took over running of the business in 1974.
Mrs C led her own exciting life, including a peripatetic existence in Great Britain during WWII, and living on her own in Toronto at a tender age. She and the family finally found home here in Banff where five generations have been privileged to live for over 60 years. Banff has changed a great deal during that time, but we all still love it.
Mrs C passed away in 2025 and her eldest daughter, Robin, has taken over running the business.
Your Host
Robin Cowan
Robin grew up in Banff, wandering the neighbourhoods and surrounding wilderness, developing an enduring appreciation for the heritage of Banff, wildlife and the outdoors.
After high school Robin spread her wings, going to University in the city. After completing her degree she followed a career in University Administration at her alma mater, winning awards for Service and Innovation along the way.
After taking early retirement, Robin was happy to return home to Tan-Y-Bryn, her family, and her beloved mountains, joining her Mum to start her second career, this time in hospitality - a family tradition for over a century.
History of the House
The first lease on our lot was issued in February 1904. During that time, 11 people have held the lease, the two lessees of our family for over 60 years.
In the spring of 1926 Mrs Minnie Davies, the lessee at the time, purchased a Bankhead house and moved it to this location. The main floor was extended at the time it was moved. In about 1930 Mrs Davies added a further extension to the upstairs making it a full two storey house. The single storey addition at the back was built in the latter part of 1972 for private use by the family.
We know that the house has been called Tan-Y-Bryn since 1930 as the name is embedded into the stucco on both the front (west) and south walls. We believe that Mrs Davies named the house in 1926 when she opened it as a “Tourist Home”. It has been in continual use, first as a tourist home and later as a bed and breakfast (1976) ever since.
The name, Tan-Y-Bryn, is Welsh (as was Mrs Davies) and literally translates as “under the hill” or “beneath the brow of the hill”. As the house is situated on the lower slopes of Tunnel (Sacred Buffalo) Mountain it is aptly named.
Tan-Y-Bryn is a recognized heritage site and is marked as such with one of the town's blue plaques. If you are interested in heritage buildings, see the Banff Heritage Corporation Heritage Finder website.
Favourite things
Our family loves living in this beautiful place and we thought we'd share some of our favourite things around town,
RESTAURANTS
HIKES/WALKS
- Surprise Corner to the Hoodoos
- Fenland Trail
- Spray Lakes East, West or the Circuit
- Bow River Path (both sides of the river)
- Sundance Canyon
- Lower and Upper Bankhead