July 16 2025

A landmark hotel in the centre of Crieff is to be pulled down on safety grounds, the second historic hotel to be lost in the town over recent years.

Significant water damage has destroyed the interior of the B-listed Drummond Arms hotel which has been labelled 'at risk' for over a decade. Now owned by Perth & Kinross Council the decision has been taken to clear the site.

An audit report by EALA Impacts on behalf of Beattie Demolition found that the property, accessible only as far as the first floor, is beyond repair. However, it is hoped that stone, slate, timber and roof metals can be salvaged for re-use locally, potentially as part of a new community cinema, to maintain some degree of historical continuity.

The pre-demolition report notes: "The local community has a connection to the building. Its history creates social cohesion. If re-use of the decorative stone could happen locally, it could retain some of this value and history.

"The story of this building is one of missed opportunities and late intervention leading to the loss of a landmark building. The materials arising could be used to prevent the same thing happening to other buildings in Crieff."

Outbuildings to the rear have already been demolished after a dangerous building notice was served. 

2 Comments

#1 Posted by town planner on 16 Jul 2025 at 12:13 PM

This beggars belief, decades after we were pulling down beautiful old buildings on Princes Street (and elsewhere) why are we still doing it? I am not familiar with the finer details of building ownership requirements, but surely owner(s) should not be allowed to neglect a building for 17 years, allow it to fall into disrepair, and then having done so, declare it unsavable and knock it down? I assume the answer to the above is they are legally allowed to do this, in which case relevant planning laws/legislation need to be revisited, esp to protect magnificent B-listed buildings in conservation areas!

#2 Posted by Lorna Clarke on 17 Jul 2025 at 20:20 PM

I think it’s a tragic shame that this beautiful building right in the heart of Crieff is to be demolished. At least keep the facade and put apartments or something behind it, it is part of the town’s history and should be saved

Post your comments