The needs of residents at a Crieff care home were “dismissed or neglected” due to staffing pressures The Care Inspectorate has branded Dalnaglar Nursing Home on Comrie Road “weak” in several areas after a visit in March Officials found that a lack of staff meant residents were not consistently treated with dignity and respect dismiss or neglect requests from residents due to the pressures placed on them The Care Inspectorate said this affected residents’ sense of self-worth and mental wellbeing The inspectors also feared that if people were not consistently treated with dignity and respect there is the potential for them to become “dehumanised” The pressures meant staff often focused on designated tasks and had reduced capacity to respond to additional demands Inspectors felt it was unclear if staff were aware of the potential negative and harmful impact of these actions They also felt there was a risk that this would become accepted practice within the care home leading to a “culture of disrespect” one resident told inspectors: “I would like to get out but staff don’t have the time to take me out.” Inspectors also found that staff had to support more than one person at mealtimes and residents were not being offered enough to drink One member of staff said: “When we’re short of staff you feel you’re not giving them the care you’d like to give them “Sometimes people are waiting longer than you’d like.” one relative said a resident had to “regularly wait for over 30 minutes” for support to use the toilet Staff confirmed that there were delays at times in people’s care needs being met but there is not always enough staff on.” formerly Balhousie – has been told to make a series of improvements A spokesperson for BCG said: “We are acutely aware this outcome is not near the level we expect for the care of our residents “We were grateful to see the Care Inspectorate identified a number of the important strengths in the home and our recent five-star reviews from our residents’ families confirm how much they appreciate the care and compassion received by their loved ones and are working closely with the CI and Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership to investigate and address the concerns raised establishing a meticulous and robust action plan to rapidly make any improvements highlighted “This action plan is already advancing well and on target for the deadlines set our residents deserve nothing less than our complete commitment to their health shoulder-to-shoulder with our dedicated Dalnaglar team “They can expect our wholehearted support to revitalise all areas of the home; to achieve and exceed the levels we demand for our residents.” Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments is set to start essential surfacing improvements on the A85 carriageway at two locations between Crieff and Comrie Works will start at 7pm on Monday 12 May and are due to be completed by 5am on the morning of Tuesday 20 May During the resurfacing and lining works west of Quoigs temporary traffic lights will be in use each night with a 10mph convoy system in place to ensure the safety of both workers and road users Operatives will then move onto the location west of Ross Bridge from 7pm on Sunday 18 May where an overnight road closure will be in place 3am and 4am to escort waiting vehicles safely through the site under a 10mph convoy The road will be open as normal from 5am each day to keep disruption to a minimum with a speed restriction of 30mph in place as traffic will be running over a temporary road surface Access through the works site for emergency services will be maintained at all times BEAR Scotland’s North West Representative said: “These surfacing projects on the A85 will fix existing defects and significantly enhance the driving experience for all road users “Our teams are committed to executing these works quickly and with safety as our top priority We’re grateful to the local community and road users for their patience while we complete the improvements we recommend that road users plan their journeys in advance by consulting the Traffic Scotland website for real-time travel updates.” Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.traffic.gov.scot X @trafficscotland or on the mobile site my.trafficscotland.org A champion piper and finance director struck multiple parked cars as he careered around a Perthshire town while more than three times the alcohol limit Jonathan Greenlees had been wining and dining with colleagues at the Crieff Hydro before getting behind the wheel on April 14 this year Perth Sheriff Court heard his electric-powered Polestar smashed into four vehicles as he went on an night-time tour of Crieff. His car’s built-in emergency response system alerted police as he kept bashing into motors The wrecking spree lasted about half an hour and is believed to have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage When traced by police in the driver’s seat Greenlees said he had not even realised he had been involved in a crash According to Companies House records the 51-year-old resigned from his role as finance director at SecuriGroup – one of the country’s biggest security firms – the following day Greenlees has won several awards for his piping and claimed the best overall piper title at the opening day of the 2015 Royal National Mod in Oban He pled guilty to driving in the Crieff Hydro car park, on the A822 towards Muthill and on various roads within Crieff with excess alcohol (70mics/ 22) He further admitted driving dangerously and at excessive speed for road conditions colliding with various stationary vehicles while failing to maintain control of his vehicle The court heard Greenlees had no memory of leaving the venue Colleagues later confirmed to him he had polished off several glasses of wine during the evening Prosecutor Elizabeth Hodgson said Greenlees hit four other vehicles Emergency services were alerted to the collisions by his car’s in-built alarm system and residents heard a series of loud bangs They ran from their homes to see Greenlees in his bashed-up car “Police attended and noted damage to multiple vehicles,” said Ms Hodgson “The accused was traced within the car Greenlees confirmed to officers he was not injured “He was asked to exit the vehicle,” the fiscal depute said Greenlees told police: “I didn’t think there was any crash but I was the driver.” Ms Hodgson said the entire 30-minute incident was caught on Greenlees’ dashcam said: “This incident was a result of a combination of alcohol and a very unusual reaction to medication the accused was taking at the time “He has been taken this medication for about one-and-a-half to two years and there has never been an issue with alcohol before.” was meant to be staying at the Crieff Hydro that evening “He would not normally risk driving at all having had any amount of drink “He tells me that his colleagues only afterwards told him how much he had had to drink which was around four to five glasses of wine “He cannot recall getting up from the table leaving the hotel or indeed driving the vehicle.” Mr Brady said the label on his client’s medication said “it had not been shown to increase the effects of alcohol” Sheriff Alison McKay said: “The reading of the complaint suggests to me that this was at the higher end of dangerous driving and Mr Greenlees not only put his own safety at risk but also the safety of the public at risk “And I am pretty sure all persons who take antidepressants would be warned about the effects on drinking alcohol.” She added: “I get the impression Mr Greenlees is horrified that he finds himself in the dock “These are serious offences and I am not going to deal with them today.” The sheriff deferred sentence for background reports and banned Greenlees from driving in the interim For more local court content visit our page or join us on Facebook Boutique Hotelier has unveiled a £5 million pound F&B investment in its flagship property of the same name The extensive works at the Crieff Hydro hotel have seen six new bar and restaurant venues created alongside refreshed menus for its existing dining spaces New venues include Asian small plates concept East; the day-to-night Ballroom Bar; and The Winter Garden a Victorian heritage space which has been modernised and now offers all-day dining a new panoramic brunch and afternoon tea destination with sweeping views over Strathearn Valley Richard and Charlie Leckie – the sixth generation of the Leckie family at Crieff Hydro who worked alongside longstanding head of interiors Fiona Leckie Works started in January and support was provided by Denholm Partnership Architects who have worked with Crieff Hydro on a number of key projects over the last two decades with all interiors concepts and designs created by Glasgow based 3 Design The fit out of the entire project was undertaken by principal contractors Thomas Johnstone Charlie Leckie commented: ““My brother Richard and I were very aware that refurbishing the restaurants and bars was a chance to bring them right up to date for our own generation we enjoy the variety of interesting places to eat and drink around Scotland or further afield we wanted to bring some of the best of that to Crieff Hydro.” added: “This is our single biggest project in decades and opens another significant chapter in Crieff Hydro’s 157-year history… we’re incredibly excited to share these new spaces with our loyal guests and those discovering Crieff Hydro for the first time and we’re confident that the variety and style of the new venues will broaden our appeal and create even more memorable experiences for guests staying or dining with us.” The aim of the project was for Crieff Hydro to attract a younger market with its restaurant lineup while remaining focussed on retaining its loyal family audience Stephen continued: “It’s fitting that as we look to fulfil the needs of a new generation of Crieff Hydro customers that this project has been driven by the next generation of my own family We know that our guests are looking for unique experiences not just any standard hotel restaurant and bar As an independent business we have more freedom and flexibility to create something really unique.” Home > News > Crieff man guilty of goading his dog to kill a domestic rat pled guilty to goading a lurcher dog to bite He caused the rat unnecessary suffering by suspending it from its tail swinging it round and striking it off the dog’s face He also admitted to failing to meet the needs of five puppies three dogs and a kitten at his home in Crieff Fair was sentenced at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday He was disqualified from owning or keeping any domesticated He was also given a deprivation order for an adult dog called Honey “We received footage from a complainer showing a male goading his lurcher type dog Jax to attack a domesticated brown rat “Fair can be seen holding the rat by the tail while hitting it off the dog’s face “Veterinary opinion was that severe psychological and physical suffering was caused to the rat during the incident “We also received screen shots taken from social media page Facebook Fair admitted feeding his dog live rats as a method of training his dog for pest control purposes.  “Pictures showed a black brindle lurcher type dog named ‘Jax’ attacking the rat in the video “Due to the severity of the concerns within the footage and a vet statement raising specific concerns it was deemed necessary at this point to gain a warrant.  “We attended the property which had wooden boards covering two windows at the front of the house The garden immediately outside the premises was in a poor state a dilapidated garden shed and what appears to be a wet wooden dog kennel with a chain attached and saturated bedding inside “When walking into the flat there was a strong smell of urine The flat can only be described as a slum with minimal personal possessions a black lurcher type was loose within the premises along with Jock a white lurcher type and a tan coloured staffie type dog “Within the sitting room there was a large puppy pen set up holding five young puppies The puppies were walking around in their own diarrhoea with no clean or dry resting areas visible We noted the puppies appeared to be walking lethargically it was evident immediately that they were exceptionally underweight with pot bellies indicative of a large worm burden “Veterinary reports showed the five puppies were very small and significantly underweight for their age.  The puppies were all weak and wobbly on their legs due to being severely under nourished “They were also suffering from severe diahorrea which can result in tiny puppies losing body condition very quickly If this had continued much longer it would have resulted in dehydration and collapse “We are devastated by the sentence Fair received The sentence means he has been allowed to keep the eight animals currently in his care Help us promote events like this by sharing this page It costs us £63,000 every day to continue the work that animals across Scotland depend on Our work is only possible because of the generosity of people like you Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a Scottish Charity: SC006467 and a Private Limited Company: SC201401 KY11 8RY "Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" and “Scottish SPCA” are registered trademarks of the Scottish SPCA This website is copyright © Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Crieff Hydro has completed its £5m dining refurbishment project which sees the creation of six new bar and restaurant venues and refreshed menus for its existing dining spots One of the largest single investments ever made by Scotland’s oldest registered trading company it says that this marks a new era for the company with the sixth generation of the Leckie family having steered the project “This is our single biggest project in decades and opens another significant chapter in Crieff Hydro’s 157-year history investment large and small is always about creating something better for our guests and for our team here but the scale of the transformation I believe will really put us on the map for food and drink in Scotland “We’re incredibly excited to share these new spaces with our loyal guests and those discovering Crieff Hydro for the first time and we’re confident that the variety and style of the new venues will broaden our appeal and create even more memorable experiences for guests staying or dining with us.” “It’s fitting that as we look to fulfil the needs of a new generation of Crieff Hydro customers not just any standard hotel restaurant and bar As an independent business we have more freedom and flexibility to create something really unique.” By positioning itself as one of the most exciting dining destinations in Scotland the hotel aims to meet the needs of new and younger generations with its new restaurant lineup whilst remaining focussed on retaining its loyal family market an Asian small plates concept; The Ballroom Bar contemporary day-to-night bar; and The Winter Garden an airy Victorian heritage space which has been modernised and offers all-day dining A new panoramic brunch and afternoon tea destination with sweeping views over Strathearn Valley Menus across all the new restaurants champion the very best of Scottish provenance with Crieff Hydro’s team of chefs working closely with the long-standing local suppliers to bring as much local and regional produce to the heart of the menus The project vision was set by Richard and Charlie Leckie – the sixth generation of the Leckie family to be involved at Crieff Hydro working alongside Fiona Leckie the longstanding Head of Interiors Support was provided by Denholm Partnership Architects The Ballroom Bar was pivotal to the whole layout The bookcase wall with the hidden door leading to the adults-only speakeasy bar is a completely new concept for the hotel Inspiration came from the Crieff Hydro archives including historical documents such as 1 penny payment stamps 90% of the artwork is bespoke and from Scottish artists Associate Director Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels said “My brother Richard and I were very aware that refurbishing the restaurants and bars was a chance to bring them right up to date for our own generation we wanted to bring some of the best of that to Crieff Hydro “We really believe that a wide choice of food and drink is such an important part of a guest’s experience and shouldn’t just be ‘ok’ – it needs to be right up there with what people expect of their favourite West End eateries whether that’s in Edinburgh we’ve tried to take the best of all that but deliver it in a way that is uniquely Crieff Hydro and fits in with all the history and tradition we’re both so proud of.” Privacy Policy Enter online The 2025 Scottish Mid Trail Running Championships are taking place on Sunday 13 July at the Crieff 10k Seniors and U20s compete over the 10k course and a shorter 5k route has been designed for U17 and U15 athetes The race starts from Morrison’s Academy sports ground (Dallerie) and follows the trails out over Laggan Hill past the Baird Monument and back along the banks of the River Earn via Lady Mary’s Walk There’s approximately 1km of road and the rest of the course is on trails The juniors start and finish on the shores of the River Earn along Lady Mary’s Walk Medals will be awarded to the following categories: Senior Enter online The Scottish Ultra Trail Running Championships are at the Ochil Ultra on Sunday 27 September This is a 50-mile ultra run from the sportscotland Institute of Sport at Stirling University to Perth Fitness Studios The route follows core paths through the Central Scotland Entries are open and can be found on the link below the Long Ultra Race is the Scottish Athletics Championship event Updated 7 February 2025: Due to a change to the programme is carrying out essential landscape works to remove potentially hazardous trees affected by ash dieback on the A85 between Crieff and the shores of Loch Earn The scheme will be carried out in three phases from the evening of Monday 3 February and is due to be completed by the morning of Saturday 15 February with works taking place between 7pm and 6am each night A full overnight road closure will be in place for the safety of workers and road users Short amnesty periods will be provided hourly at 8pm Drivers are encouraged to arrive in good time if wishing to take advantage of an amnesty period Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times BEAR Scotland’s NW Representative said: “Following an area-wide review of the A85 between Crieff and Loch Earn we are removing any trees that have been identified as posing a risk to the trunk road and its users “It is essential that we put safety measures in place while we remove potentially hazardous trees We have planned the works to take place at night when traffic flows are lower to reduce the impact on the travelling public “The nature of the works will result in an increase in noise levels and we apologise in advance for the inconvenience this may cause We thank road users and the local community for their patience and understanding.” All works are weather dependent and subject to postponement in the event of adverse conditions For more information on Transport Scotland and BEAR Scotland’s ash dieback management plan, visit https://www.bearscot.com/about-bear/major-projects/ash-dieback-action-plan/. Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland at www.traffic.gov.scot Crieff Hydro has spent in excess of £5 million refurbishing its eating and drinking areas as it seeks to win more business from locals and couples The investment is the largest in the history of the family business The hotel’s ballroom has been transformed into an elegant day-to-night bar There’s a new speakeasy cocktail bar as well as an Asian-inspired small plates restaurant Chief executive Stephen Leckie describes the finished results as “stunning” He said: “This is our single biggest project in decades and opens another significant chapter in Crieff Hydro’s 157-year history investment is always about creating something better for our guests will really put us on the map for food and drink in Scotland “We’re confident that the variety and style of the new venues will broaden our appeal and create even more memorable experiences for guests staying or dining with us.” The revamp of Crieff Hydro means there are now six eating and drinking areas: The hotel aims to meet the needs of younger generations while remaining focussed on retaining its loyal family market The project vision was set by Richard and Charlie Leckie – the sixth generation of the Leckie family at Crieff Hydro They worked alongside Fiona Leckie the longstanding head of interiors said: “My brother Richard and I were very aware that refurbishing the restaurants and bars was a chance to bring them right up to date for our own generation “We enjoy the variety of interesting places to eat and drink around Scotland or further afield “We believe a wide choice of food and drink is such an important part of a guest’s experience and shouldn’t just be OK “It needs to be right up there with what people expect of their favourite eateries in Edinburgh A barbershop in Crieff that was run by the same owner for more than 50 years has come onto the market Naismith’s on East High Street – also known as Johnny the Barbers – has been put up for sale The owner had the shop for 52 years and has now decided to retire The news was met online by locals wishing him a happy retirement and sharing fond memories One read: “End of an era and some amazing memories for those he blethered to and served.” with all the fittings included in the sale It can also be transformed into a new venture kitchenette and WC are included in the offer the traditional shop benefits from significant foot traffic and has been a successful business for more than five decades The property is being marketed by Lindsays for offers over £25,000. Also on East High Street, G’s Bistro has also been put up for sale after the owner lost his wife to cancer The owner of a popular Crieff bistro has put the business up for sale after losing his wife to cancer G’s Bistro on East High Street has been put on the market by owner Yann Grospellier Yann opened the business in 2021 with wife Shari but she passed away just a few months later He says he does not want to keep running the venue without Shari by his side Yann told The Courier: “I lost my wife to cancer three months after opening in 2021 “I didn’t want to run it on my own – it’s not the same as running it with my wife “I’d rather a young couple take over G’s Bistro – described as “highly regarded” by the selling agent – has received rave reviews from customers online It has a five out of five rating on TripAdvisor and 4.8 stars out of five on Google plans to stay in the town and dedicate his time to charity work as a chef in soup kitchens He previously owned Yann’s at Glenearn House before opening the bistro Despite stepping away, he says G’s Bistro is “doing great” and believes it will benefit from increased footfall once the new cinema complex on East High Street is completed. The restaurant and bar have been modernised featuring a fireplace at the heart of the dining area The sale comes with a three-bedroom flat above which has been recently renovated and could serve as a home for the new owners or a holiday let G’s Bistro is being marketed by McEwan Fraser Legal for offers over £495,000. Elsewhere in Crieff, a new street food takeaway from Stornoway has opened It stands on the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie famously held his final Council of War before defeat at Culloden But the landmark Drummond Arms in Crieff is set to be demolished – at a cost of £3 million – by Perth and Kinross Council it was hoped that the historic hotel could be saved I was invited inside the crumbling building a few weeks before Crieff Community Trust – who set up Drummond Arms Regeneration Limited (DARL) in 2019 – transferred ownership to Perth and Kinross Council Exploring the dilapidated building with DARL project worker Stephen Oswald – to help create a final record – is a bittersweet experience I’m honoured to be one of the very last to see inside The building has been secured to stop vandals and ‘urban explorers’ gaining access but Stephen is happy to take me and photographer Steve MacDougall on a tour Our eyes adjust to the gloom as we creep down a twisting stone staircase into what would’ve been the huge kitchen destined never to feel the heat of another flame Giant red steel beams keep the walls from collapsing – they’ve been newly installed to replace floor joists which were damp and rotten thanks to water getting in through the roof straggling net curtains shift in the breeze a cracked window glints in the weak winter sun but sections of elaborate gold cornicing cling on for dear life we’re accompanied by the noise of rushing water – the drains at street level outside It’s an extremely dangerous place to be and while we’re wearing hard hats to protect us from any falling masonry there are other hazards – such as falling to our doom into the yawning chasm of the floors below At the bottom of a stone staircase is a lift shaft which Stephen reveals is the reason why the building is listed although he reckons it could hail from the 1920s Next to it stands an impressive piece of artwork of Bonnie Prince Charlie, created by Crieff artist Pedro Brock in 1996 and it’s among a series of paintings commissioned by the hotel’s former owner Angus MacDonald The hope is that these can be displayed at the new Crieff and Strathearn Museum My eye is drawn to an ornate white ceiling rose in the sprawling ballroom – and to a bricked-up fireplace it seems: I can well imagine merry crowds of people dancing the night away in this once-magnificent setting Dotted throughout the decaying rooms I find some stand-out features: old light fittings; vintage glass light shades; a horseshoe – painted gold – for good luck above a door; wispy cobweb-covered curtains and pelmets; and the stunning original fan light (a semi-circular window above the door) with ‘Drummond Arms’ glazed onto it in gold I stand on a sort of ‘bridge’ and gaze down into the nothingness below There’s not a lot to stop me from plummeting down two storeys Once-impressive wooden ‘archways’ lead into rooms and there’s a scattering of graffiti on walls – nothing too offensive and saplings have taken root on flat surfaces A question that springs to mind – and to the minds of many – is: How could the Drummond Arms have been allowed to fall into such a dangerous who has a background in redeveloping buildings “The community is so sad about what’s happened The absent landlord was the problem with this building “Our remit was to strip-out rotten and contaminated material “After lead was stolen from the roof water cascaded through and soaked into wooden joists and flooring rendering the walls and interior a rotting tradesmen went in and found a cast iron bath and several floors had collapsed – hence It’s stopping the roof from completely falling in.” Stephen believes there’s very little worth saving bar the Bonnie Charlie artwork and ornamental fanlight He says the building deteriorated so much during the Covid pandemic that “all hope was lost” and it was saveable within a couple of years,” he recalls “But then everything stopped for 18 months “It didn’t help that asbestos was discovered the building decayed so much that we lost the ability to save it.” Crieff Community Trust took ownership in 2019 following lengthy battles over the hotel’s upkeep Members did all they could to preserve the building and explore new uses – including luxury apartments and a £5m boutique hotel But its fate was sealed at a council meeting in November last year with councillors agreeing to take ownership of the property after it was served with a Dangerous Buildings Notice which had pumped vast sums of cash into safeguarding it and preparing it for alternatives – ranging from re-use to demolition – had run out of money And members were left with no option but to ask the council to take it off its hands The council plans to demolish the dilapidated building Alternatives have been suggested by locals, with some keen to retain the facade and turn it into a climbing wall What becomes of it remains to be seen – but demolition is planned to take place within the year The Drummond Arms was built between 1872 and 1874 and was a popular local landmark in its heyday It was added to the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland in 2012 Residents living beside Crieff’s derelict Drummond Arms Hotel are being urged to have their homes inspected before the bulldozers move in asking them to cooperate with surveys of their properties These will record the condition of the buildings in case any issues arise as a result of the Drummond Arms demolition It’s thought around 50 homes closest to the town centre site are affected Perth and Kinross Council has set aside £3 million for the demolition The local authority stepped in to take ownership of the derelict hotel late last year Now it is reminding residents to respond to the letters “as soon as possible” to allow work to progress A spokesperson said: “The surveyor will undertake a visual inspection of the property internally and externally including with use of a drone for the roof/chimneys to prepare a photographic record of the condition prior to demolition works taking place “The surveys are required as part of our due diligence process and must be completed.” Perth and Kinross Council has said it wants to build affordable housing on the Drummond Arms site It follows years of wrangling over the historic landmark’s future The council was asked to take control after it was served with a Dangerous Building Notice in October 2024 the Drummond Arms Regeneration Ltd community group had exhausted all options to try to save the building As recently as 2023, community leaders were said to be pursuing plans to reopen it as a £5m boutique hotel. Crieff Community Council has questioned the housing plans and said residents should be consulted on the future use of the site The group’s chairman Brian Wilton said it had since been assured that the council will speak to locals about the next steps Residents have suggested ideas such as a climbing wall would do more to revive the tourist town’s fortunes Demolition work has begun on the old Star Hotel in Crieff A demolition crew started tearing down the former East High Street destination on Friday morning Creative Crieff is spearheading a replacement project as part of the town’s regeneration The group plans to turn the site into a cinema and community hub Designs include a new state-of-the-art radio station Creative Crieff believes the project will enhance the town and offer “substantial benefits” to locals A spokesperson for Creative Crieff said: “It is the end of an era and a new chapter begins for Crieff “Demolition work has now begun at the Crieff hotel marking both a poignant farewell and a promising new beginning for the town with the ‘Star Experience’ “This ambitious development will feature a two-screen 50-seater cinema – one screen offering a boutique-style service and the other for educational purposes a new location for Heartland FM and an outdoor social space “The first phase of our development focuses on the ‘Star Garden’ “We plan to open the Star garden at the beginning of summer to maximise planting and growth providing a new space for community enjoyment and interaction we remain committed to respecting the area’s historical significance while embracing the opportunity to enhance community life in Crieff.” It is one of several multi-million-pound projects planned for Crieff Register  Login The investment sees the launch of six new bar and dining sites with a focus on Scottish produce Perthshire hotel and spa Crieff Hydro has completed a £5m dining refurbishment project which sees the creation of six new bar and restaurant spaces The seven-figure investment has led to the opening of new venues including: East an Asian small plates restaurant; the Ballroom Bar a day-to-night bar; and the Winter Garden (pictured above) a Victorian heritage space which offers all-day dining Menus across the six new restaurants feature local and regional produce while the food offer at the hotel’s existing dining spaces has also been refreshed The project was led by brothers and associate directors Richard and Charlie Leckie who are the sixth generation of the Leckie family to be involved at Crieff Hydro The brothers worked alongside the hotel’s head of interiors Fiona Leckie said: “This is our single biggest project in decades and opens another significant chapter in Crieff Hydro’s 157-year history “We’re incredibly excited to share these new spaces with our loyal guests and those discovering Crieff Hydro for the first time and we’re confident that the variety and style of the new venues will broaden our appeal and create even more memorable experiences for guests staying or dining with us.” Recently, Crieff Hydro appointed Przemek Kaminski as general manager and Ryan Whitcut as its new executive chef ahead of the refurbishment’s completion The wider Crieff Hydro group includes seven hotels located in Perthshire the Scottish Highlands and the Scottish Borders Sign Up Jacobs Media is a company registered in England and Wales Home » News » Crieff Hydro Hotel completes £5m dining transformation Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels has completed its £5m dining refurbishment project at Crieff Hydro Hotel which sees the creation of six new bar and restaurant venues and refreshed menus for its existing dining spots As one of the largest single investments ever made by Scotland’s oldest registered trading company The complete redesign of the previous restaurants on the ground floor of the hotel provides contemporary free flowing spaces with modular options for corporate gatherings while the Ballroom Bar provides a contemporary setting for drinks receptions The Loggia offers brunch and afternoon tea The Hermitage is a hidden speakeasy-style bar while the Brasserie offers French bistro dishes and the Winter Garden is an ideal spot for networking and breakout meetings investment large and small is always about creating something better for our guests and for our team here.” said: “Food and drink are at heart of every event so we’re really excited about showing event planners and delegates the future of meetings and incentive dining here at Crieff Hydro All our menus focus on Scottish provenance and we’re proud to work with local suppliers to ensure that every event is a sustainably delivered as possible.” Crieff residents are being urged to have their say on the future use of the Drummond Arms Hotel site The crumbling town centre landmark is due to be demolished after years of wrangling over its future Perth and Kinross Council has suggested the land could be used for affordable housing But Crieff residents say that’s not necessarily the best use for the site They have suggested alternatives such as a car park or retaining the front of the building and turning it into a climbing wall Now Crieff Community Council is holding a public meeting in the town to discuss the fate of the Drummond Arms site Crieff Community Council chairman Brian Wilton says it’s important the council considers local opinions “People have suggested keeping the facade and turning it into a climbing wall,” he said “Others have suggested an open space “We want to let the public know their voices do count and that hopefully they will get a say in what goes on in their town.” The Drummond Arms’ fate was sealed at a Perth and Kinross Council meeting in November last year. Councillors agreed to take ownership of the property after it was served with a Dangerous Buildings Notice Crieff Community Trust asked the council to take it off its hands saying it had run out of money to safeguard it The demolition could cost as much as £3 million and is likely to take several months to complete The prospect of affordable housing was raised at the meeting The Drummond Arms was famously built on the location of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s last council of war before Culloden Its town centre location made it a popular local landmark in its heyday And it was added to the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland in 2012 Crieff Community Trust acquired the Drummond Arms in October 2019 following lengthy legal battles over its upkeep But efforts to preserve the building and explore new uses – including luxury apartments or a £5m boutique hotel – came to nothing The Crieff Community Council meeting is open to everyone It will be held in Crieff Community Campus on Wednesday February 12 at 7pm A chef has relocated his street food takeaway business from Stornoway to Crieff as he aims to “bring a new dynamic” to the town Ian Rainbird is the owner of Smoke and Mac described as the “UK’s most northwestern BBQ street food eatery” But he is moving the business to a unit on Church Street in Crieff to establish a mainland presence has worked in Scotland for the past four years but has been a chef since he was 18 He told The Courier: “I have a 30-seat restaurant in Stornoway at the moment “We also have a food truck that we’re building as well but due to the logistics of being in Stornoway “The move to Crieff is because that’s where my journey in Scotland started “After Covid, I moved from England to Scotland to work at the Four Seasons in St Fillans “The right property came up in Crieff It’s a small property which is what I want and it will be 100% a takeaway.” Smoke and Mac’s menu includes smoked meats Ian added: “There are so many good places opening now in Crieff “It went through a rough time when I was there during Covid “Deli and Dough is a great example They’ve done very well for themselves with their food setup and their trailer “It’s good to have a higher-end offering coming through in the area “I think us moving in will bring a new dynamic to Crieff.” Ian also plans to travel across Scotland with his food truck while using the Crieff store as its prep kitchen There will also be an online ordering platform for the takeaway Visitors to the Crieff Hydro Winter Wonderland say they have been left “disappointed” and “let down” by the Christmas activities on offer this year Several negative reviews have been posted online since it opened this month Crieff Hydro insists overall feedback from visitors to its Santa’s grotto ice skating and train ride has been “extremely positive” However, of the 60-plus reviews left on the site of ticket vendor itison a third have given the experience just one star out of five Only 20% of people have given the Winter Wonderland a five-star review The event has an overall rating of 2.6 out of five – with more than 3,000 tickets sold for each of the activities One visitor claimed the festive train ride, which promised an interactive journey through a “glittering winter wonderland”, would give the ill-fated Glasgow Willy Wonka experience “a run for its money” costing between £10 and £15 per person “for not even 10 minutes” involved a “very poor” light show Another visitor called the train ride the “biggest rip-off” until you get to a tent with a video of a much more impressive train ride.” One two-star reviewer said the event was “very disappointing” compared to previous years and described the train ride as a “let down” It said: “We went last year to the Christmas experience at Crieff Hydro and we really enjoyed it “This year ice skating was good and the Santa visit was great but the winter wonderland train experience was really poor It went about 50 yards into a tent which had a projector showing a pointless winter scene.” Another reviewer said: “The train went about 500 metres up a poorly lit We got a partial view of a dark overspill car park “We then drove into a tent and watched a video “I think my daughter best captured the experience when she pointed at the video and said ‘I wish I was on that train’.” Another visitor said they had driven more than an hour to Crieff and “couldn’t have been more gutted with the time and money spent” Several other reviews described a disappointing experience claiming the event was “not as advertised” and a “complete waste of money” They also said there were no fairground rides at the event the Winter Wonderland also received a number of five-star reviews from impressed guests One said: “After reading some reviews we thought it was going to be a bad experience The lights and decorations were lovely and the train ride was good.” Another visitor said: “The ice skating experience was fantastic Both the children and adults thoroughly enjoyed it “It was the highlight of the festive experience and the only event that was truly worth the money.” A spokesperson for Crieff Hydro said: “Having welcomed more than a thousand guests to our Winter Wonderland since its launch the overall feedback from our Santa’s grotto ice skating and festive train experience has been extremely positive “We are aware of a small number of visitors who felt disappointed by the train experience and we aim to learn from that feedback for future events.” Crieff Hydro bosses recently revealed multi-million-pound investment plans for the resort A chef has opened a new pastry cafe in Crieff after “falling in love” with the town Emily Black has launched Ems & Co on King Street after relocating to the area in 2023 She was head pastry chef at the five-star Cromlix Hotel in Dunblane and has 15 years experience in the hospitality industry The 31-year-old previously ran a cafe in the Highlands under the same name and has relaunched the business in Perthshire Ems & Co serves homemade pastries and cakes Emily told The Courier what attracted her to the Strathearn town “I lived in Dingwall and ran a cafe there before I moved to Crieff with my partner and his two children a year and a half ago “I fell in love with the area and worked as head pastry chef at the Cromlix Hotel “When we saw this place up for sale I decided to give it a go “My partner is helping out at the moment as he was the head chef at Cromlix Emily said the cafe focuses on high-quality homemade pastries with innovative flavours She added that the counter changes every few weeks to keep the produce seasonal and fresh Some of the delicacies on offer include Sobrasada and Mahon Cheese Pain suisse and blood orange Emily launched the business three weeks ago and has received rave reviews since She added: “There’s been a great reception from Crieff so far – we’ve sold out every day since opening and good service to anyone who visits.” Elsewhere in Crieff, a popular bistro has been put up for sale after the owner lost his wife to cancer The derelict Drummond Arms Hotel in Crieff looks set to be demolished Perth and Kinross councillors will be asked to take ownership of the town centre eyesore next week It comes after a Dangerous Buildings Notice was served on the property at the end of October The community group which had been working to find a new purpose for the former hotel is now offering to transfer it to the council for free Drummond Arms Regeneration Limited (DARL) says it has exhausted all funding options That has left the group unable to meet the requirements of the Dangerous Buildings Notice – or to continue to operate beyond March 2025 And it dashes hopes, raised as recently as last year, that it could re-open as a £5m boutique hotel. Perth and Kinross Council leader Grant Laing says the future looks bleak for the Crieff landmark “The condition of the building means that the only viable option left is demolition,” he said “While it is not the news local residents will have hoped for it is the most practical solution to mitigate the risks posed by the deteriorating structure.” The transfer will be considered by Perth and Kinross Council’s finance and resources committee when it meets next Wednesday The 19th Century Drummond Arms Hotel is one of Crieff’s most prominent buildings sitting in the centre of the High Street across from James Square Bonnie Prince Charlie famously held his last council of war before Culloden on the site The Royal Bank of Scotland occupied part of the B-listed building after it closed as a hotel But it fell increasingly into disrepair amid legal battles over its upkeep And it was already dilapidated when Crieff Community Trust took ownership in October 2019 has since spent more than £1m on preserving the property and exploring future options recent structural surveys have revealed significant deterioration And the final straw was last month’s Dangerous Buildings Notice chimneys and high street-facing dormer windows to be made safe the Drummond Arms would allow the council to protect public safety and bring the saga to an end “This is a decision of last resort,” he said “The community group had great ambitions for the building but unfortunately have not been able to deliver on these “There’s a real risk that if DARL goes into liquidation still owning the building that the ensuring legal procedures would leave the future of the site in question for many Perth and Kinross Council says a report will be brought to a future committee about development options for the site after demolition Councillor Stewart Donaldson is convener of the finance and resources committee and a local ward member He said: “It is sad news that we have come to this given the current state of the building there is no alternative to tackle this now dangerous building am disappointed that this is the end of the story for the Drummond Arms But I hope that a new future for the site can bring positive benefits to the local community.” Plans are already being drawn up for affordable housing on the site of Crieff’s Drummond Arms Hotel after it has been demolished It comes ahead of a public meeting in the town to discuss other uses for the land The leader of Crieff Community Council claims there has been “unanimous opposition” to the housing plan in the town But it has also emerged that the landmark is in an even more perilous state than previously believed A Dangerous Building Notice served on the doomed hotel at the end of October has now been extended to other parts of the property Perth and Kinross Council took ownership of the town centre eyesore from Drummond Arms Regeneration Ltd (DARL) last week The community group asked the council to step in late last year after it ran out of money to preserve and restore the building The council has set aside £3 million for the Drummond Arms’ demolition But its plans to build new affordable housing in its place have ruffled feathers Locals have suggested ideas such as a climbing wall would do more to revive the tourist town’s fortunes The Drummond Arms’ fate was discussed at a meeting of the council’s finance and resources committee on Wednesday confirmed the sale had gone ahead last week He said the Dangerous Building Notice had been extended following structural investigations And he said the council was now applying for listed building consent and a warrant for full demolition of the Drummond Arms we have developed draft proposals for affordable housing on the site,” he added “That has to be submitted as part of the listed building consent as to the use after any demolition.” Mr Crawford said the plans were being progressed “with haste” due to the dangerous condition of the building And he said he would be happy to meet Crieff residents to discuss the process when the next steps are confirmed Crieff Community Council is hosting the public meeting to discuss alternative uses for the building next Wednesday The group’s chairman Brian Wilton told The Courier it was “surprising and regrettable that Perth and Kinross Council has not seen fit to consult and seek the views of the town the business community or the community council” “The Drummond Arms Hotel site occupies a prime position in the centre of Crieff,” he said the conservation area within which the site lies and most important of all — the business community.” Mr Wilton added: “Our role to date in seeking the opinions of the community has clearly shown unanimous opposition to housing being planted in the centre of James Square — the pivotal location of the town’s tourist infrastructure.” • The public meeting is due to take place in Crieff Community Campus at 7pm on Wednesday February 12 The refurbishment includes a new day-to-night bar and a fully renovated kitchen at a cost of £1m Crieff Hydro has announced the appointment of Przemek Kaminski as general manager and Ryan Whitcut as its new executive chef as the hotel nears the completion of a £5m refurbishment in April Kaminski joins the company following his 13-year tenure as general manager at Future Inns UK where he joined as trainee general manager before becoming general manager at Future Inn Cardiff Whitcut has worked in various kitchens in the UK and has played an integral role in shaping the hotel’s updated F&B offering The refurbishment has been driven by Richard and Charlie Leckie the sixth generation of the Leckie family at Crieff Hydro and updated food and drinks menus with an emphasis on Scottish produce as well as a fully renovated kitchen at a cost of £1m Kaminski said: “I’m very excited to be joining Crieff Hydro during this period of significant change and look forward to working with team to drive future innovation and redefine our dining and guest experiences whilst preserving the rich history and heritage of such an iconic hotel.” Whitcut said he is “thrilled to bring my experience at such an exciting phase in the hotel’s 157-year history” and described his appointment as “a career-defining moment” he said: “I’m so looking forward to delivering this exciting new destination dining experience which revolutionises and goes way beyond what people might expect from hotel menus.” Whitcut will work with executive sous chef Catherine Bull who has worked at Crieff Hydro for over a decade said: “These appointments represent a new chapter in shaping the future of Crieff Hydro as we move into this new era of change which this multi-million-pound investment has defined." A young couple have opened a deli and pizza shop in Crieff after finding a “gap in the market.” Stuart and May Michael have opened Deli and Dough on the High Street in Crieff The couple bought the property in 2023 but due to planning permissions and having a new baby is a chef and owns a wedding and events catering business which he will continue to run The pair said they always talked about opening a business in the town May told The Courier: “Crieff doesn’t have a sandwich and coffee shop like this “The shop really ties in with what we already do “It was supposed to be a side hustle while we had our other jobs but it’s become bigger than that “I’m leaving my job soon to run it full-time.” May said the business has been busy since opening last Thursday She added: “It’s been an insane first week “All our customers have been so complimentary and saying it’s something Crieff has needed “We’ve had good reviews online already and way more customers than we thought “It’s just been amazing starting up and having our dream come true.” The young couple said they wanted to bring a city-like feel to Crieff with their shop They wanted a shop that would “stand out from the crowd” May said they were both grateful to the town for supporting them and to their friends and family for helping get the business off the ground Deli and Dough operates as a takeaway café from 10am to 4pm and a pizza shop from 4pm to 8pm The business is open from Thursday to Sunday All the pizzas are homemade using a sourdough base and also offers a range of sandwiches and gluten free options One customer described the pizza as “possibly the best I’ve ever had” Homemade cakes and coffee are also available at the eatery May said she hopes the good business will continue and the couple’s next dream is to open more Deli and Dough shops in the future Crieff locals are urging council bosses to halt plans for housing on the site of the Drummond Arms Hotel Dozens of people attended a public meeting to discuss the Drummond Arms’ fate this week It comes after Perth and Kinross stepped in to buy the crumbling hotel and demolish it The council has set aside £3m for the demolition And it says it’s pressing ahead with plans to build affordable homes in its place Crieff Community Council chairman Brian Wilton said more than 100 people attended Wednesday’s talks And he added: “The consensus was that housing is not appropriate for such an iconic site.” The council says it understands Crieff residents have “strong feelings” but insists it is proceeding with its plans Mr Wilton said locals suggested a range of alternative uses And he urged the council to take the views of local people on board “I think they (the council) will get the message that they really can’t just ride into town and dictate that this is going to be a housing site without talking to the community,” he said Perth and Kinross Council discussed the fate of the Drummond Arms site last week Councillors were told the demolition plans are proceeding “with haste” And a Dangerous Building Notice served on the doomed hotel at the end of October has now been extended to other parts of the property Perth and Kinross Council took ownership of the town centre eyesore from Drummond Arms Regeneration Ltd (DARL). The community group asked the council to step in last year after it ran out of money to restore the building A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson told The Courier: “We understand the strong feelings many people have about the Drummond Arms “When the council was asked to take ownership it had lain empty for 18 years and is in a dangerous condition with its roof beyond repair “Because of this a Dangerous Building Notice has been served and we are proceeding with plans for addressing the dangerous buildings notice and seeking approval for full demolition and the creation of much-needed affordable housing on the site.” Crieff Hydro Hotel bosses hope to have their new clay pigeon shooting range open by Easter after plans were approved by councillors Perth and Kinross Council gave the project temporary planning permission for a second time this week But hotel bosses will have to satisfy a number of conditions including the use of low-noise cartridges and shotgun silencers who said noise from the site was making their lives a misery told Perth and Kinross Council’s planning committee: “We’ve experienced distressed toddlers “It makes it hard to live life well knowing this could be happening in the background.” The site is just over 1km north of the main hotel buildings It’s part of Crieff Hydro’s expanding range of outdoor activities The 157-year-old hotel was given temporary planning permission for the clay pigeon shooting area in September 2022 That approval was due to expire this September Councillors were told Crieff Hydro has been working to refine the operation and address concerns The new permission will take it through to September 2028 But it comes with a series of conditions designed to protect residents These include limits on noise levels and mitigation measures And shooters will only be able to use low noise cartridges and shotguns with silencers Crieff Hydro associate director Richard Leckie welcomed the unanimous decision by councillors He said the aim is to open the clay pigeon shooting area to guests by Easter And he insisted the venue is doing all it can to be on good terms with its neighbours “We could have used normal shotguns with the previous planning permission,” he said “But we chose to get silencers to reduce the sound levels and work as best as we can with locals.” The planning application attracted 15 letters of objection and one in favour The sole supporter pointed to the closure and demolition of other hotels in the area and said Crieff Hydro should be celebrated for investing and supporting local jobs “If hotel offerings do not adapt then footfall will decrease and the Hydro will be a victim of another closure which will then be mourned rather than persecuted,” he wrote Crieff’s Drummond Arms is facing demolition by Perth and Kinross Council following years of wrangling over its fate Another town landmark, the Star Hotel, is being bulldozed at the moment Crieff Hydro announced multi-million-pound investment plans in November last year News heralds beginning of a new era for resort Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels, Scotland’s oldest registered trading company, and one of the country’s leading independent hotel operators, has today announced a significant investment in its flagship property, Crieff Hydro The multi-million-pound project will create a new day-to-night bar Country Club members and the wider local community to enjoy.  Innovative menus will bring together the best of Scotland’s produce under a range of new restaurant dining experiences for breakfast Guests will also enjoy an elevated cocktail experience carefully curated whisky menu and champagne offering with the new areas to be unveiled during spring 2025 Charlie Leckie said: “This investment marks a key milestone in the 156-year journey of Crieff Hydro It is the most significant investment project we’ve undertaken in the last 20 years and one we’ve been planning for quite some time “My family is proud of the hotel’s heritage which means so much to the many guests that we welcome every year We’ll be making sure that history is protected and shared in the contemporary offering we’ll be bringing to our guests we’ll unveil further details on all the food and drink menus and experiences.” said: “Responding to the needs of our guests and a commitment to reinvestment in a family business is what has taken Crieff Hydro from its days as a ‘dry hotel’ a few decades ago to what it is now – a vibrant resort which is enjoyed by all “We’ve taken great care to plan this project around our guests and as we progress with the various upgrades in early 2025 we’ll be keeping a wide range of leisure and food and drink options on offer “The whole team are hugely excited about unveiling Crieff Hydro’s new offering and bringing new and loyal guests through our doors to enjoy a range of exceptional dining experiences.” The owner of Crieff Hydro has revealed plans to invest millions of pounds to create a new bar Stephen Leckie said the plans have been several years in the making and aimed at attracting more people to the hotel for food and drink The current ballroom will become a high-end bar while the speakeasy will be found by people knocking on the right door in the current Meikle bar The work will start in January with the aim of opening in spring Mr Leckie described the investment as the most significant at the hotel for more than 20 years the sixth-generation of the family business which has prompted the investment He said: “I remember when I took over the business 30 years ago we introduced the first bar at Crieff Hydro this was quickly followed by another bar and brasserie “That was me identifying what was needed for Crieff Hydro then “It used to be that around two-thirds of customers ate upstairs “Charlie and Richard said we’re not offering enough for non-residents looking to come in for a drink or dinner It’s an attempt to attract more couples looking for a special night out.” The Crieff Hydro chief executive did not reveal the exact cost of the upgrades other than to describe it as a “multi-million-pound” investment Mr Leckie said these additional offerings will not come at the expense of the hotel’s heritage He also said the hotel will continue to trade as normal while the work takes place He adds: “We’ve taken great care to plan this project around our guests and as we progress with the various upgrades in early 2025 Charlie Leckie added: “My family is proud of the hotel’s heritage “We’ll be making sure that history is protected and shared in the contemporary offering we’ll be bringing to our guests.” The announcement comes as Crieff Hydro Limited reports its financial accounts the Ballachulish Hotel and the Isles of Glencoe Hotel It also operates the 1881 gin school and distillery The accounts, for the year ending February 2024, show an increase in turnover to £38.9 million, from £36.4m in 2023 Pre-tax profit fell from £419,000 in 2023 to £32,000 last year Mr Leckie said the underlying earnings before interest and amortization (EBITDA) increased by more than £1m He said: “This is testament to the hard work and innovation of the management team “It’s particularly pleasing to see our past investments paying off with growth in revenue and profit at all our hotels “A decade on from our first involvement, both Peebles Hydro and our hotel cluster on the west coast has contributed over £1m of EBITDA to the business “Thanks to this profitability we were able to continue to re-invest nearly £2m.” This sum includes a rolling upgrade programme for up to 30 hotel bedrooms a year at Crieff Hydro The business has also entered a new long-term debt facility with Santander Bank loans and overdrafts stood at £16.7m at the financial year end which Mr Leckie expects to increase with the new multi-million-pound investment at Crieff The town centre building has lain empty since 2006 after falling increasingly into disrepair with no buyer found. The council has been asked to take ownership of the Drummond Arms Hotel in Crieff after community plans to save the building fell through. The Drummond Arms Regeneration Limited (DARL), established by the Crieff Community Trust, has written to the council leader to offer the transfer at nil value. The town centre building has lain empty since 2006 after falling increasingly into disrepair. No buyer has been found, and it was served with a Dangerous Buildings Notice in October. A recent structural survey revealed that the structural elements and timbers have continued to deteriorate significantly, with the roof structure, chimneys, and high street-facing windows deemed unsafe. DARL said all funding options had been exhausted, and the building could not continue to operate beyond March 2025. The Finance and Resources Committee is to consider the transfer proposal at a meeting on November 20. Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “This is a decision of last resort. “The community group had great ambitions for the building, but unfortunately have not been able to deliver on these. “There’s a real risk that if DARL goes into liquidation still owning the building that the ensuring legal procedures would leave the future of the site in question for many, many more years. “If committee supports the request to transfer the building title to the Council this also allow us to protect public safety and bring an end to the lengthy saga of the Drummond Arms. “The condition of the building means that the only viable option left is demolition. “While it is not the news local residents will have hoped for, it is the most practical solution to mitigate the risks posed by the deteriorating structure.” STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" Movie star Ewan McGregor often has fond things to say about the place where he grew up the actor left his Perthshire hometown for drama school in London at the age of 17 before eventually settling in the United States He went on to feature in many blockbuster movies Moulin Rouge and Black Hawk Down as well as theatre productions However, he has recently moved back closer to home after buying a £2 million mansion in the Carse of Gowrie We take a look at five times the actor has spoken of his home region and country McGregor opened up about his fondness for Scotland In an interview at the 2023 Edinburgh Comic Con he said: “What I miss the most about Scotland is “My mum and dad and my brother (Colin) and his wife Sarah and my nephew and my niece “And being able to pop round for a cup of tea… I don’t have that when I’m in the States.” the smell of the green and the colours of Scotland What am I doing living over there (America)?” As part of a promo for travel firm Expedia Ewan and Colin visited numerous Perthshire sites including the Hermitage The beauty spot attracts thousands of visitors a year and often triggers traffic issues on the A9 Speaking to Architectural Digest he said: “The Hermitage is beautiful and there are paths and a beautiful walk through it.” Ewan and Colin also reminisced about childhood and their walks up misty hills In an interview with Radio Times, McGregor opened up on how he will always remember where he came from He said: “It was hard to leave Scotland “People in Scotland to this day tell me to remember where I come from “It’s this feeling of you’re not Scottish enough “I’m Scottish wherever I am in the world McGregor has previously backed plans to bring a cinema and community hub to his childhood town Creative Crieff, which is behind the project, hopes the cinema will be open by spring 2026 after Perth and Kinross Council gave the plans the green light. McGregor said: “Going to the cinema in Crieff was such a big part of my childhood and I know it’s going to be great for the people of Crieff and will undoubtedly bring in more visitors too “I can’t wait to see the top end of the high street renewed with a place for everyone grab a coffee or sit down to enjoy getting lost in a movie “Good luck with it and maybe we can arrange a premiere there one day.” In a promotional tourism video McGregor said Crieff and Strathern was “renowned for its sweeping hills and breathtaking beauty” it’s not just the views that make it such a spectacular place to visit “The people here are so welcoming and know exactly how to make you feel at home “There’s lots to do here both indoors and out.” McGregor recorded the script in 2012 while visiting his parents during the summer The video features local landmarks like the Famous Grouse Experience and Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre Crieff is set for its first Starbucks drive-thru after councillors approved plans for a site next to the town’s Aldi supermarket The coffee chain’s latest Perthshire project will feature a café with drive-thru facilities and electric vehicle charging points It will be built on undeveloped ground to the west of Aldi on Broich Road The developer behind the plans has promised the new Starbucks will “create employment opportunities for a wide variety of ages” But the proposals have proved controversial The application generated 40 public comments Critics raised concerns about road safety and littering One wrote: “This development is on Broich Road in close proximity to three schools and four housing developments “The capacity for accidents is already high indeed the road has already had to be realigned after a near fatal accident.” think it is not a good idea to have a Starbucks so close to a school on many fronts including the easy of access for children to ultra processed food the impacts on traffic so close to a school and the impact on the wider economy of the town “There are enough independent coffee shops in Crieff on the high street.” The impact on Crieff town centre was a concern for many objectors. One said the council should be doing more to tackle the many empty dilapidated buildings on the high street “If Starbucks were proposing to invest in an already empty unit then I would feel much more supportive as I could see how this could improve the footfall on the high street and help other businesses closer in proximity,” the opponent said I don’t see how a drive-through Starbucks at the bottom of a steep hill far away from the main high street would incentivise people to invest their time and money up there “I think the opposite – the drive-through aspect will encourage Crieff to be more of a drive-through town.” Perth and Kinross Council’s planning committee approved the application when it met on Wednesday Councillors were told: “The application site is accessed from Broich Road and through the existing car park that has been constructed in association with the Aldi store.” as is Crieff Primary School and its nursery St Dominic’s Primary is also on Broich Road And hundreds of new homes are being built across the road from the Starbucks site Scottish Gas Networks is unable to say when heavy congestion that has plagued one of Perth’s busiest roads for five weeks will come to an end SGN has been carrying out emergency gas repairs on the A85 Crieff Road Temporary two-way lights have been in place on Crieff Road and Unity Terrace has been shut completely Commuters and residents have voiced their anger at the resulting congestion on one of Perth’s main roads He said: “It’s an absolute nightmare “I’ve lived here for 30 years and “Every year after that it seems to be getting worse with them digging the road up “These works have been going on for over a month now with no end in sight “Often there’s days when there’s nobody working on the site “This is a main artery road in Perth and the issues it causes with traffic are unbelievable.” The gas distribution firm could not say when work would be complete A spokesperson for SGN said: “We’re carrying out emergency repairs to our gas main in Crieff Road temporary two-way lights are in place at Crieff Road’s junction with Unity Terrace “Unity Terrace is also closed at this junction to help improve traffic flow on the main road “This is a complex repair which requires extensive work in challenging conditions due to the depth of the affected gas main and close proximity of other underground utilities more is required to complete repairs and it’s too early to say how long this work will take at this stage “We’d like to thank the Perth community for your ongoing patience and support.” The closure comes a year after a different section of Perth’s Crieff Road, between Newhouse Road and Huntingtower Road, was closed for six weeks for sewer repairs by Scottish Water Elsewhere in Perthshire, the Blairgowrie to Alyth road has closed again for a further three weeks of gas repairs