Scotland on Sunday Travel Wishlist: Gleneagles, Perthshire

The 'Glorious Playground' hotel has a huge range of outdoor pursuits

Gleneagles is a social hotel, a place to go and have fun as lockdown eases, the new design meaning there is more space where guests can relax.

Gleneagles, Perthshire

Since opening its doors in June 1924, Gleneagles has been one of Scotland’s most iconic hotels and sporting estates. Set beneath the Ochil Hills, in the heart of Perthshire, it has been the must-go destination for travellers for nearly a century, beginning its life in the glamorous age of travel when guests arrived in style at Gleneagles’ own train station.

With its glorious playground of country pursuits and activities on its 850-acre estate and beyond, the hotel has reopened to visitors.

Inspiration for the decor in the 205 bedrooms and 28 luxury suites came from the mountains, rivers and lakes of the surrounding countryside.

Now under new owner Ennismore, Gleneagles has enlisted the expertise of some of the UK’s most acclaimed designers – including David Collins Studio, Timorous Beasties, Macaulay Sinclair, Goddard Littlefair and Ennismore’s own in-house design studio – to create designs and spaces that celebrate the rich, glamorous heritage and beautiful architecture of the hotel.

Gleneagles is a social hotel, a place to go and have fun as lockdown eases, the new design meaning there is more space where guests can relax and enjoy the dramatic views of the Perthshire countryside from a welcoming environment more akin to a home or a private club than a hotel. Nowhere exemplifies its style better than in the restaurants and bars, serving up something for everyone from relaxed Clubhouse lunches to Michelin-starred fine dining.

Covid update

Following the Scottish Government’s announcements and phased exit from lockdown, Gleneagles reopened on 15 July and is welcoming guests back to the Glorious Playground. The hotel has received AA Covid Confident accreditation and further information can be found here: https://gleneagles.com/coronavirus-information/

Budget or boutique?

Gleneagles is a leading luxury destination hotel with a focus on quality and style.

Room service

The design of the 205 bedrooms and 28 luxury suites is inspired by the mountains, rivers and lakes of the surrounding countryside.

With heavenly king-sized beds, the light and spacious double rooms have recently had a design makeover featuring Scottish textiles, luxurious fabrics and fresh colour schemes.

Wining and dining

With seven different restaurants, there is plenty of choice. From bar snacks and brasserie classics to family fare and fine dining, Gleneagles has a long-standing reputation as a culinary destination.

Fine dining restaurant The Strathearn has revived the glamour of the 1920s and 30s, following a transformation by Ennismore Design Studio. The designs celebrate the golden age of railway travel and the theatre of the outdoors, featuring local flora and fauna, while embracing the warm charm of a grand country house.

Dinner at The Strathearn is a decadent affair with a menu that celebrates the finest seasonal ingredients and classic Franco-Scottish cuisine. Traditional gueridon service from bespoke dining trollies brings excitement and energy as a selection of classic dishes are finished at the table. The team adds theatrical flair as they carve Gleneagles & Co Marrbury whisky barrel smoked salmon from Dumfries, prepare and dress a seasonal salad, or flambé a ‘Steak Strathearn’, Gleneagles’ take on Steak Diane, on request.

Worth getting out of bed for

A huge range of outdoor pursuits facilitated by the staff includes exploring the estate on horseback and spending time with Gleneagles’ own falcons. And then there’s golf...

Guests happy to stay within the hotel can browse boutiques in the hotel’s retail arcade or indulge at the spa.

Little extras

The Gleneagles daily newsletter delivered to the room gives details of outdoor pursuits and a daily weather report, while in the evening, cocktail trolleys make their way down the corridors with expert bar tenders ready to mix the perfect nightcap.

Guestbook comments

Whether it’s a family get together, romantic break, or simply having to escape the same four lockdown walls, Gleneagles has the ingredients for a great escape in superior Scottish style.

Janet Christie

Estate room B&B starts from £395, Gleneagles, Auchterarder, Perthshire, PH3 1NF, 01764 662231, www.gleneagles.com

Instagram: @thegleneagleshotel Twitter: @gleneagleshotel

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.

Joy Yates

Editorial Director