HISTORY


About the Birnam Hotel


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.

[Photo: Bedroom]

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

[Photo: Bedroom]

The Birnam Hotel 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 travelled 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.

[Photo: Bedroom]

The Birnam 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.


[Photo: Bedroom]

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.

After a major fire some years ago the hotel has been fully refurbished and redecorated to a high and truly individual standard, yet still retains the individuality and charm for which it is renowned.

The new owners have taken immense pleasure in retaining the character of the hotel, whilst gloriously renovating it to a wonderfully high and impressive standard.

Entrance Lobby, Birnam Hotel, Dunkeld, Perthshire