Birnam House Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland

AA *** RAC

4 Crown Commended S.T.B.

Fishing and Golfing Breaks Available

In true Scottish Baronial Style the hotel stands on the south bank of the River Tay, Scotland's premier salmon fishing river. Close to the hotel stands The Birnam Oak - the last remnant of Birnam Wood made famous in Shakespeare's Macbeth.

"As I did stand my watch upon the hill, I looked toward Birnam and anon me thought the wood began to move"

Apart from the ambience there is nothing historic about the appointment awaiting the guest today. The Birnam Hotel has been extensively renovated to offer a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere while retaining the character of this fine building. All bedrooms are en-suite, tastefully decorated in keeping with the unique style of the Birnam House Hotel. All rooms have courtesy tray, telephone, satellite TV, radio and trouser press.

Our Peploe's restaurant offers you a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a delicious meal prepared by our chefs using all the finest local produce. If you chose to stay for a few days our chef will be happy to prepare your favourite dish if the produce is available. Our wine cellar is also stocked with a selection of fine wines to complement your meal.

The Birnam House Hotel was much patronised by the nobility and gentry during the second half of the last century. It was said that if a young man wished to enter society he should first spend a month here to observe its manners.

The fine wrought iron gates are said to have been brought from Venice by Sir John Stewart, a wealthy aristocrat, to mark the entrance to Murthly Castle, which was demolished in 1950.

Our Cocktail Bar is the ideal place to relax and enjoy your pre-dinner drinks. Decorated in the style of Rennie Mackintosh with an open fire providing that unique atmosphere for which Birnam House Hotel is renowned. The Bar has a wide range of malt whiskies and traditional ales. An excellent range of bar meals are also available.

The Birnam is steeped in history, from the Great Fire in 1912, to the visits by the King of Spain and by the French Empress, though at different times. The French Empress stayed at the Hotel when the railway terminated at Birnam. She traveled incognito as a Countess and visited the Duke of Atholl who was in residence in Dunkeld. The Duke and Countess toured Scotland together during her stay. We may wonder if romance blossomed.

The Baronial Hall is the ideal venue for Weddings, Dinners and Dances. With its own bar facilities it can comfortably hold 120 guests and has a picturesque view of Beatrix Potter Gardens from the veranda on the east side. Modeled on the grand hall in Blair Castle with its high vaulted beam ceiling, gives an air of grandeur rarely seen in modern venues.

"The Birnam Hotel with its imposing appearance raising its lofty tower, has more semblance of a gentleman's residence than that of a hotel. There is a splendid hall finished in the most gorgeous style and considered to be the finest public room in Scotland." - Taken from "Dunkeld - It's Straths & Glens" 1858.

The Birnam Hotel offers the ideal base for touring with almost every place of interest within 2 hours of Birnam. Visit Dunkeld, once the Capital of Scotland, with its ancient Cathedral and Telford Bridge. Perthshire itself can offer numerous places of interest to visit. Why not spend a few days on the historic trail of stately homes - Glamis Castle, Balmoral, Scone Palace and Blair Castle.

For an evenings entertainment, why not spend a night at Pitlochry Festival Theatre (one of the most popular in Britain).

All in all The Birnam House Hotel is the ideal place to spend your break.