Cromlix

Sir Andy and Kim Murray purchased this house in 2013 and since then the tennis champion and his wife have certainly managed to serve up style in Andy's home town! Floral wallpapers, Farrow & Ball colour shades and fresh flowers everywhere. This is a modern day country house but it still retains traditional elements with Victorian headboards and plush four poster beds. Bold colours contrast with traditional and contemporary art, some of it coming from the Murrays' own collection, including Damien Hirst and David Shrigly.

The Glasshouse restaurant is fun, open and contemporary - full of colour, flowers and energy. It has an open kitchen, but you might not notice as you'll be so focused on the food from Darin Campbell which is delicious, modern and local. Many of the staff are young and live nearby. The hotel has a policy of taking young people from the local schools and training them up, so it might not be as polished as some establishments but it’s fun and you feel that any lapses are worth it for the training opportunity.

The hotel boasts, not surprisingly, an all-weather championship tennis court painted in Wimbledon colours. Nearby explore the delights of Perthshire and Stirlingshire with castles, monuments, shooting and fishing. All in all, a winning combination.

 

Written by Hugh Graham-Watson

• Pet friendly
• Dogs are welcome at Cromlix. There's even a doggy menu with gourmet treats
• Restaurant
• Superb food in the Chez Roux conservatory restaurant with open kitchen.
• Garden
• 34 acres including herb and vegetable garden, croquet lawn and loch.
• Bar
• Cocktail bar and separate whisky room
• Good wine list
• Billiard/pool table
• Private dining room
• Library
• Fireplace

• Wedding license
• Family Suites
• Parking
• Safe
• Wifi
• Four poster beds
• In room music system
• Suites

• Fishing
• Trout fishing in the hotel's loch
• Tennis
• Two courts on site
• Archery

• Tennis coaching
• Golf

Why do people love staying in your hotel?
We try to make our guests feel like they are staying in a country home rather than a country house, so the personal service and warmth of welcome is something we pride ourselves on. We offer a relaxed style of luxury where our guests can do as much or as little as they like. The house itself is beautiful inside and out, and of course we are set in the stunning Scottish countryside, so there really is a lot on offer for everyone. 


What is there to do in the area?
The hotel sits in 34 acres of private grounds and woodland with its own Loch, tennis court and pickleball court, so there is a lot to do at Cromlix itself - we often host guests for foraging tours of the woodland or guided walks around the Estate. If people want to venture out, Stirling Castle is nearby and the medieval city of Stirling itself is worth a visit - the National Wallace Monument is located there in a 19th century tower and overlooks the site of the 1297 Battle of Stirling Bridge, where William Wallace defeated the English. Edinburgh and Glasgow are both within an hour's drive too. There is also plenty of golf, whisky tasting and other activities such as kayaking, wild swimming and 4x4 driving nearby and we are happy to arrange these for any guests. 


What kind of breakfast do you offer?
Our breakfasts are famous! We offer a full Scottish breakfast, a continental breakfast or something really indulgent like our Porridge Brûlée which is served with whiskey and a brown sugar crust. It’s delicious and really sets you up for the day. 


Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally?
Yes we offer lunch, dinner and afternoon tea. Our Glasshouse Restaurant offers the best in-season produce, most of it from local suppliers, and is supplemented by produce we grow in our own Kitchen Garden. The Head Chef, Darin Campbell creates exquisite seasonal recipes, which pair Scottish fare with international flavours, so there is something for everybody on our menu. Our afternoon teas are also really popular. You don’t have to be staying at the hotel to eat with us. 


Which are your most popular room types, and why?
We only have 15 bedrooms plus a Gate Lodge, so all of our rooms are popular in their own right. Our Suites are large and decadent with expansive bathrooms and lounges, so they are ideal for a longer stay or if you need a bit more space. Our Estate Rooms are really luxurious, with views over the grounds and also have large bathrooms, so they are a great mid-range option, and then our Cottage rooms are really cosy and bright with woodland views, so are ideal for a whirlwind stay or a romantic escape. Each of our rooms is individually decorated, so we often find repeat visitors want to try out different bedrooms to see which style they prefer! 


What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ?
We have a children’s package, which includes a teepee in the bedroom, a toy and story book, plus warm milk and cookies for bedtime. We can fit extra beds in most rooms and also have cots available to borrow. The hotel grounds are a magical place for children to explore with lots of nature close by - we have red squirrels in the woodland and deer often visit, we have a swing in the grounds and pathways through the woods, and children are welcome to go and check for eggs from the chickens in the Kitchen Garden. Wellies are available in children’s sizes to borrow. Our tennis court and pickleball court are also available for families to use and we have children’s rackets to borrow as well as balls. 


What message would you like to give The Hotel Guru readers?
Please come and visit us. We know you won’t regret it!