Scotland’s oldest hotel set for extensive revamp

The Salutation Hotel on Perth's South Street. Picture: Wikimedia/CC

The frontage of the Salutation Hotel on Perth’s South Street has looked increasingly drab in recent years, with paint peeling from the walls and vegetation growing above the doorway.

Now it could be in line for a complete revamp, which would see windows replaced, brickwork retouched and new signs erected.

Strathmore Hotels, which runs the Salutation, have submitted several plans to Perth and Kinross Council, covering everything from listed building consent to the upgrading work.

Under the plans, the iconic figurines that stand above the entrance to the B-listed building will also be restored to their former glory.

Once that work is completed, they will be uplit by lamps installed at their base.

Windows on the eastern side of the hotel, which are currently non-operational sash and casement, will be matched with those on the other side of the building and new signs will be erected on both halves of the frontage.

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It is possible that a structural survey will need to be carried out in order for the work to take place.

If the council approves the plans it is not clear how long they will take to implement.

A spokeswoman for Strathmore Hotels said: “The Salutation Hotel is a Perth and Scottish landmark with an amazing history and, as such, we are constantly investing and improving it in a manner sympathetic to that history.

“As we’ve not yet been granted planning permission, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage, other than to say we think everyone will be delighted with it, should it be approved.”

The three star hotel is reputed to be the oldest in the country and has played a part in welcoming visitors to the Fair City since 1699.

The hotel was converted from a private home and is said to have played a pivotal role in the second Jacobite rebellion.

Charles Edward Stuart, better known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, stayed there just months after landing in Scotland for the first time.

He is said to have plotted the advance of his army and his bid for the throne at the hotel and the room where he stayed is still in use as a bedroom.

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