The grand Scottish hotel with amazing views that has its own train, cinema and gin school

The summer holidays can feel like a long time if you’re having to keep the kids entertained. If you’re looking for a weekend away for a family holiday then it’s well worth checking out Crieff Hydro. The hotel opened in 1868 as the Crieff Hydropathic Establishment when founder Dr Thomas Henry was inspired by a similar treatment centre in Austria. These establishments were built on the premise that water, exercise, fresh mountain air and water treatments were good for health. 

Crieff Hydro is located in Perthshire, which is dubbed “the gateway to the Highlands”, meaning there’s fresh air, clean water and plenty to keep you fit. It’s also conveniently located approximately an hour’s drive from Glasgow and 90 minutes from Edinburgh, making it the perfect place to take the kids on a summertime day trip or weekend stay. Crieff Hydro Hotel has announced a host of exciting summer activities for the whole family to get involved in.

Of these, Richard Leckie from Crieff Hydro Hotel said: “It’s shaping up to be a summer like no other at Crieff Hydro, with more activities than ever before for the whole family to get involved with. With everything from dinosaurs to pottery painting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy”

If you have dinosaur fans then a trio of dinosaurs will stomp into the hotel’s Action Glen adventure park on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 July. Families feeling brave enough to come face to face with dinos Betsy the Triceratops, Loki the Velociraptor and Tiny the T-Rex will have a chance for meet and greets with their new pre-historic friends throughout the day plus two shows at 11:30am and 2:30pm. What’s more, the dino encounters are included in the purchase of the Action Glen’s Adventure or Activity Day Passes.

Situated in the grounds of the hotel, families can unleash their inner explorers by unlocking access to up to 13 activities including zip-lining, Mini Land Rovers and woodland combat. With alpaca trekking and Aloft! Treetop Adventures available too, there’s never a dull moment.

The Scottish summer is known for being unpredictable so visitors to Crieff Hydro can enjoy daily puzzles, daily family discos held in the Ballroom, an indoor sports zone and a bouncy castle.

New activities this summer include pottery painting and jewellery making, to creating your own magical fairy door, there is something for everyone to enjoy. There’s also a cinema that hotel guests can use for free and a new land-train, the Hydro Express. The vehicle will transfer guests from the hotel’s front door to Action Glen, stopping off at the foot of The Knock of Crieff from 9:30am until 6pm daily. 

For those looking to learn more about gin, you can do just that at the 1881 Distillery and Gin School. There’s a range of distillery tours and experiences where visitors can try their hand at making their own bespoke gin.