about crieff hydro family of hotels
Could Crieff Hydro's famously warm welcome travel north, south and west? It turns out the answer is an emphatic 'yes', as testified by our guests (and our TripAdvisor reviews).
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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 at Crieff Hydro 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…
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!)
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!
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 The Park Hotel and Peebles Hydro in Peebles and The Isles of Glencoe and Ballachulish Hotel in Glencoe.
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. Each of the 4 flavours of gin holds a very 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
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Our Family
