A Special Hotel History | Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels

Eureka! moment

Dr. Thomas Meikle has a brilliant idea. Inspired by a trip to Austria to view hydrotherapy hotels he wanted to build his own in the clean fresh air of Scotland and so the building of the ‘Crieff Hydropathic Establishment’ began.

1867

Open for business

The hotel, although not quite as we know it, was opened for business.

1868

Ballachulish Hotel is built

Ballachullish Hotel, designed by Scottish architect John Honeyman, opens. Honeyman has a young apprentice who will become a household name in the future: Charles Rennie Mackintosh

1877

The name's Hydro, Peebles Hydro

After three years in construction, Peebles Hydro opens for business, offering Russian, Turkish, peat, Nauheim, aromatic, medicated, eucalyptus, rain, pine extract, spray, vapour, brine or sulphur baths. Choice!

1881

A right Royal encounter

Queen Victoria visits Ballachulish and has this to say on the Ballachulish Hotel: “The situation of the hotel – the larger one – on the opposite side [from the Corran Ferry road], at the foot of the hills close to the ferry is extremely pretty. There was a smaller and less handsome inn on the north side, by which we had come. Here we got out… and walked down to the boat.”

1883

Lighten up!

The first electric light was installed in Crieff Hydro.

1889

Wings & feet

The new wing was opened and the dining room was extended by a whole 2 feet!

1894

Everything's going swimmingly

The first pool, now our Victorian Spa, was built to be used as part of the hydropathic treatment regime.

Unfortunately, in the same year, Peebles Hydro burns down…

1905

Have your cake & eat it

The Winter Garden was a welcome new space in the hotel – but the cake offering wasn’t quite the same as it is now!

The new Peebles Hydro is rebuilt using reclaimed materials. Architect James Millar designed the new hotel and the cost was £37,000 (£33,000 less than the original!)

1907

Knock Knock

The company purchased all of Ferntower Estate, including a local favourite – the Knock.

1912

The farm next door

Culcrieff Farm was purchased, including the dwelling house and steading.

1921

The rise of the motor car

Two petrol pumps were installed on the estate – motor cars were on the rise!

1927

Running hot & cold

Bathing in the basement no more. Crieff Hydro began to install bathrooms on every floor and put hot and cold sinks into all bedrooms.

1932

A good spruce up

Possession of the hotel was re-gained and the building ‘spruce up’ began.

1946

Business as usual

The hotel re-opened with Mr Gordon Leckie as the Managing Director.

1949

Splashing out

The small farm on the south shore of Loch Earn was purchased – now better known as Lochearn Watersports Centre.

1957

John Leckie, MD

After the passing of his father, John Leckie became Managing Director in August 1960.

1960

The BIG screen

Crieff Hydro’s cinema, complete with a sloping floor, was installed.

1972

What's your tipple?

Crieff Hydro’s first bar was opened in the Highlandman room – before this point guests would venture along to the Murraypark to enjoy a tipple or two!

1994

Stephen Leckie, MD

Stephen Leckie succeeded his father as Managing Director.

1996

Eat out or in

The Brasserie (now known as The Terrace) opened and hotel guests welcomed casual dining and a family-friendly menu to the Crieff ‘mix’.

The self-catering accommodation was launched – well, we have plenty of room for it!

1998

Murraypark

Murraypark was welcomed into the family – and so began the growth of the Crieff Hydro Family!

1999

Record breakers

Crieff Hydro broke occupancy records housing 460 in the hotel and 130 in the self-catering units.

2000

It's all action!

The outdoor activity centre – or Action Glen as we know it – added to the fun with quads, archery, 4×4 driving and lots more added over the years!

2003

FREE childcare

Big Country – the largest registered childcare facility in Britain opened at a cost of £3.3m. Offering inclusive childcare for 2 to 12-year-olds when staying at Crieff Hydro.

2006

A growing family

We expanded our family of hotels to include Peebles Hydro, The Park Hotel in Peebles, The Isles of Glencoe & The Ballachulish Hotel.

2014

Heading West

Ballachulish and Isles of Glencoe Hotels officially joined the family after 2 years under our management.

2016

Celebrating 150 years

Crieff Hydro celebrates its 150th birthday.

2018

Welcome to the family, Kingshouse!

Kingshouse Hotel has been a stop off for weary travellers for centuries. Warm fires, warm welcome and a wee nip to warm you through – and that part’s not changed. What has though, is the brand new hotel opened in February to replace the 1960s extension. Still next door, the recently refurbished bunkhouse offers a purse-friendly alternative and a comfortable spot to sleep next to the best stop on the West Highland Way – The Way Inn!

2019

New BeGINings

Our very own 1881 Gin Distillery and School opened in the basement of Peebles Hydro. Seeped with history, each of the 4 flavours of gin holds a unique story.

2019

Our first city hotel

Taypark House in Dundee is a boutique country hotel. Steeped in history, it’s the perfect match for our growing family, and our first associate hotel!

2020

Our Story

about crieff hydro family of hotels

So What Next

Be Inspired

Golf season

Wild Swimming in Glencoe

A winter self-catering break in Perthshire