Gleneagles’ new leisure plans at site

The owners of the Gleneagles Hotel have revealed plans to create a new holiday village-style development near to the world-class Perthshire hotel.

Ennismore bought the Easterton Farm site, which lies between the golf resort and Blackford, and has issued a planning notice for a leisure development including homes and a restaurant, as revealed in the Perthshire Advertiser last week.

Gleneagles claims the project has the potential to attract visitors from around the UK and further afield.

A more detailed scheme is expected to be announced in the Spring. But the owners are believed to have a project in mind similar to the exclusive Soho Farmhouse site in Oxfordshire.

Bernard Murphy, managing director of Gleneagles Hotel, said: “We intend to submit our plans to expand Gleneagles’ accommodation and leisure provision creating an exceptional rural hospitality destination experience that is unique.”

Mr Murphy added a number of concepts were being considered and discussions on-going.

“The planned transformation of the site, which represents significant investment by our owner Ennismore, to enhance the guest experience and make the most of the stunning natural assets of the Gleneagles estate- will attract guests from the rest of the UK and further afield.”He said there would also be a chance for “many”local jobs to be created.

Last week the PA also reported a consultation event was being lined up for March 22 at the hotel.

Easterton Farm was formerly a tourist accommodation spot but was placed on the market for £1.45m in 2015. Its owners were reported to be GH Easterton Farm Ltd, a company which includes the group of entrepreneurs involved in the estimated £150m purchase of the hotel just some months before.

Meantime, in the wider Gleneagles and Blackford area, the West golf development is continuing to take shape.