A Scottish Country House Hotel Perth
I love a good Scottish country house hotel. Wood panelled rooms, cocktails in front of huge roaring fires, leather sofas, fine dining and a snoozing spaniel at your feet. Murrayshall Hotel Perth fulfils all my country house requirements and more.
Sitting in 365 acres of beautiful grounds, Murrayshall is located near Scone Palace, just 10 minutes west of the city of Perth. Built in 1664, the original house at Murrayshall is over 400 years old and was only converted from the family home of the Murrays and Graham-Murrays to a hotel in the 1970s.
The hotel now has 40 bedrooms and suites all with stunning views of the grounds and out over the Perthshire countryside, a modern fine dining brasserie, a cosy cocktail bar, an 18-hole golf course with its own stylish but relaxed club house bar and offers up a range of outdoor adventure activities in the surrounding Perthshire countryside.
We took our pup for a stay (and a paddle!) at the dog friendly Murrayshall Country House Hotel Perth. Let’s check in.
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The Murrayshall Country House Hotel rooms – a dog friendly hotel Perth
With a range of rooms across the original house and in separate suites on the golf course, the hotel offers up something for everyone. Like a bit of luxury? Book the four poster Miller Suite which looks over the 18th hole. Bringing the kids or a dog? Book a large Fairway or two bed Lynedoch suite.
Our suite had a huge bed, luxury bathroom and even had a small kitchen area with fridge and microwave, making it a great place to stay for a few days in Perthshire.
Murrayshall Hotel Perth is very dog friendly and our pup was made very welcome with lots of fuss and a goody bag of essentials on arrival. In our huge Fairway suite room were dog bowls and a cosy dog mat – we have since bought Hugo one for himself, he loved it so much!
Pups allowed in the Fairway and Lynedoch family suites, the Strutts clubhouse bar, and the cocktail bar and library. For those who prefer a dog free stay, the Lynedoch Brasserie is kept pup free.
Dining at Murrayshall Hotel – the Lynedoch Brasserie and Stutts Bar
The hotel has two dining rooms, the Lynedoch Brasserie (named after Thomas Graham, otherwise known as Lord Lynedoch, a war hero and previous owner of the house) and the Stutts Bar, which doubles up as the golf clubhouse and serves a more casual menu. Both spaces are stylish and comfortable and have views over the hotel’s grounds.
We dined in the Lynedoch Brasserie (two courses for £30) and had breakfast with the pup in Strutts Bar. Drinks are served in the hotel’s cocktail bar or outside on two terraces.
With a glass of fizz in hand, our starters of smoked salmon (from local Perth fishmonger George Cambell and sons) with beetroot and salmon remoulade and a leek and blue cheese bridie with piccalilli went down a treat. The bridie (a kind of Scottish pastie) was especially good – fine dining bridies, who knew?
Mains were also excellent. A braised beef cheek came with bouguignon garnishes and a carnoustie pork fillet with a apple and fois gras sausage roll – probably the best sausage roll I had ever eaten, and I love a sausage roll.
Veggies and vegans are well catered for at Murrayshall, with interesting options such as tomato and watermelon salad or a pea, feta, truffle and duck egg tart, or a main of confit celeriac & artichoke with pickles.
For pud we shared delicious Perthshire strawberries with panna cotta and a a heather honey creme brule – which I hardly got a look in, it was so good.
Things to do at Murrayshall Country House Hotel
As fitting for a country house hotel, Murrayshall House Country House Hotel offers up a range of countryside pursuits, from the on site 18-hole golf course, to salmon fishing, to luxury picnics to enjoy whilst you enjoy the grounds.
For the more adventurous, the River Tay is on the doorstep of Murrayshall Hotel. Why not go paddling through Perthshire? The hotel will help organise your paddle – either by kayak or by SUP. Paddle up to local distillery Lindores for a whisky tasting session, or take a tour of Perth from the river.
Taking the Pup for a Paddle
Our pup Hugo loves a paddle, so the hotel arranged for us to go on a ‘puppies that paddle’ session for us with their paddle provider and local charity Willlowgate Activity Centre who are based on the River Tay underneath the imposing Kinnoull Hill.
Offering Stand Up Paddle Boards (SUPs), kayaks, open water swimming, and a range of outdoor activity taster sessions, we took Hugo out on a couple of RED paddle boards for a lesson on how to safely paddle with puppy.
The session was brilliant and engaging – and we both learned a few more SUP strokes. Hugo had a great time, he even braved the water for a wee swim! So much fun!
More things to do near Murrayshall Hotel
- Climb Kinnoull Hill – with incredible views from the summit over Perth and the Tay, a walk in the woodland park on Kinnoull Hill is a must for those visiting Perth – and its a great spot for a dog walk. Visit Kinnoull Hill.
- Branklyn Gardens – a 2-acre hillside garden to the south of Perth city centre, Branklyn is dog friendly and managed by the National Trust for Scotland (free for NTS members). There is a great cafe on site serving up tea and homemade cakes. Visit Branklyn Gardens.
- Perth City Centre – explore the bustling city centre of Perth with its museums, galleries and riverside walks. Visit Perth.
- Scone Palace – the crowning place of the King of Scots is just five minutes from Murrayshall – and is now home to the decedents of the hotel. Dogs are welcome in the beautiful grounds. Visit Scone Palace.
After a long day exploring Perthshire, head back to the Murrayshall Country House Hotel and snuggle in for the night… Thanks to the Murrayshall team for our wonderful pup friendly stay. Love, from Scotland x
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