Being the lady of the manor was a pleasure
Country house hotel on the outskirts of Perth dates back to 1664 and offers history and luxury at all times of the year
IT’S an unseasonably warm November evening in rural Perthshire and my friend and I are looking out over the lush Murrayshall Country Estate.
Nestled in the heart of Scone, the four-star hotel – and former abode of many a Scottish aristocrat – is steeped in history and elegance. Despite being about an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and Glasgow, at moments it feels like you have stepped back in time.
The hotel is a few miles from Perth and just over four miles from Scone Palace, the crowning place of Scottish kings. The scenic drive up to Murrayshall takes you along a winding maze of trees and well-groomed golf courses (the estate offers two tree-lined options) before you are met by the grand hotel itself, a mixture of old castle vibes and modern decor.
Built in 1664, Murrayshall House was modernised in the 18th century and again in 1864, before it was purchased by a group of businessmen in 1973 which led to the estate’s transformation to the luxury hotel it is today.
After a warm greeting by the friendly reception staff, we were directed up the winding, wooden staircase to the luxurious Murray Room, which was spacious and stylishly decorated.
The hotel offers 40 bedrooms and suites for guests and is also dog friendly. The decor in the rooms, and throughout, is a perfect mix of traditional Scottish brushed velvet and tartan soft furnishings with a contemporary twist.
The fancy coffee pod machine, huge television and locally sourced toiletries were a nice touch, but one of the highlights had to be the incredible views from the hotel room window across the sprawling, extensive grounds of the 365-acre estate After a walk through the estate we had a pre-dinner drink in the hotel’s cosy bar. Murrayshall offers guests two dining options, the Stutts Clubhouse Bar and Grill and the Lynedoch Brasserie, where we chose to eat. The restaurant offered a chance to taste some local produce and I opted for a vegetable terrine with duck’s egg to start, followed by a celeriac main course with roasted vegetables, both delicious. My friend was equally impressed by her meal. If I had one criticism I would have liked some more vegetarian food options, but I couldn’t fault the waiting staff, who were both friendly and helpful. A quick glance at TripAdvisor and nearly every review has one thing in common – praising the incredible setting. It is clearly a haven for golfers, but even for the non-sporty among us, the hotel’s picturesque location is a real treat. The hotel also felt extremely Covidsafe, with mask wearing throughout and the hand sanitising stations we have all grown accustomed to. Before departing for home, we enjoyed a hearty Scottish breakfast back in the stylish Grill where all the usual hot breakfast options were offered alongside a plentiful cold buffet selection. Back home after a whirlwind overnight stay, I would thoroughly recommend the hotel to anyone looking for a bit of Scottish luxury in cosy, rural surroundings.