Welcome

Noel and Sue Staunton welcome you to their home in Crieff, gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Garden Lodge was built as part of the former Ferntower Estate and the oldest part of the house dates back to the 18th Century. It has been lovingly restored and now sympathetically blends the contemporary with the traditional to provide you with what we hope will be a very comfortable and relaxing stay with us.

Crieff, situated on the banks of the River Earn, derives its name from the Scottish Gaelic "Craoibh", meaning tree. It is the second largest town in Perthshire and is situated on the southern edge of the Highlands. It originally grew up from trading, mainly on whisky and cattle. For many centuries it was famous for its Drovers' Tryst which is still commemorated annually at the beginning of October with a week-long programme of walks for all ages and abilities.

Later it became one of Scotland's most notable holiday resorts, taking advantage of its sheltered, sunny location on the south-facing slope of The Knock. The railway arrived in 1856, Morrisons Academy was founded in 1859 and The Hydro formally known as the Hydropathic Establishment opened its doors in 1868. The town's Highland Gathering has been held annually since 1870.

Visitors to the town are within twenty miles of real wilderness country, yet just over an hour's drive from Glasgow and Edinburgh. If you should ever tire of the scenery (could you ever!), we have an abundance of major visitor attractions on the doorstep.