A significant victory has been achieved by the passionate residents of Crieff, who have successfully lobbied for a crucial three-month consultation period regarding the future of the derelict Drummond Arms Hotel site. This landmark decision by Perth and Kinross Council comes amidst widespread local concern over proposed development plans for the prominent town-centre location.
The long-standing eyesore, which has blighted Crieff’s main thoroughfare for years, fell into the hands of Perth and Kinross Council last year after a dedicated community-led initiative to restore it ultimately ran out of resources. Despite receiving over £1 million in various grants, the community group, Drummond Arms Regeneration Ltd, conceded defeat, citing escalating costs, the rapid decay of the building, and a persistent lack of external funding as insurmountable obstacles. Community Voices Challenge Housing Proposal
The council’s subsequent proposal to proceed with the demolition of the historic structure, estimated to cost up to £3 million, and replace it with affordable housing, has ignited considerable opposition within Crieff. Many locals feel strongly that residential properties would be entirely unsuitable and out of character for the site, nestled centrally within the town.
In a testament to community resolve, the Crieff Community Council invoked rarely-used provisions under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2018, submitting a ‘participation request’ to demand a formal dialogue. This strategic move has now compelled the council to engage in discussions about the site’s destiny.
The primary objective for the community council is to sway local decision-makers away from the affordable housing plan. Residents have put forward a diverse range of alternative visions for the site, reflecting a desire for solutions that better serve the wider Crieff community and enhance its vibrant town centre. Suggestions have included transforming the space into much-needed parking facilities, creating new visitor amenities, or even imaginatively repurposing the hotel’s impressive A-listed facade as part of a unique climbing wall installation.
Brian Wilton MBE, chairman of Crieff Community Council, expressed his satisfaction at securing this window of opportunity, highlighting the importance of persistent advocacy. He believes this outcome offers a valuable lesson to other towns across Perthshire and beyond: the power of collective action when communities stand firm in defending their local interests. Council Pledges to Consider Community Input
The consultation process will involve a series of public workshops designed to gather diverse perspectives and ideas. The first of these pivotal meetings is scheduled for next Wednesday, August 20, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Strathearn Community Campus, providing an accessible platform for all concerned residents to contribute.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council affirmed their commitment to the process, stating: “Council has instructed officers to prepare a development plan for affordable housing on the site of the Drummond Arms in line with its Corporate Asset Management Strategy. Officers are working with Crieff Community Council in accordance with their participation request and we will consider their contributions as we develop plans for the site.”
This formal engagement marks a critical juncture for the site, balancing established strategic objectives with profound local aspirations. The Weight of History and an Impending Deadline
The 19th-century Drummond Arms Hotel holds a significant place in Crieff’s history, famously being the location where Bonnie Prince Charlie held his final council of war prior to the Battle of Culloden. Its dilapidation has been a source of growing frustration for locals, with the building progressively falling into worse disrepair over recent years.
The decision for the council to take ownership came after the community’s ambitious project to save the building, despite substantial funding, was deemed unfeasible. A council report indicated that the soaring costs of regeneration, the rapid deterioration of the structure, and insufficient external funding ultimately led to the community group’s withdrawal.
The hotel was officially declared a ‘Dangerous Building’ in October 2024, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Current projections suggest that demolition could commence as early as October of the current year (2025). The council has already lodged a planning application detailing the proposed demolition, subsequent site reinstatement, modifications to a boundary wall, the erection of protective hoarding, and other related works.
This application has generated considerable public response, garnering 68 objections and, notably, no public comments in support, reflecting the prevailing sentiment in the community. The deadline for submitting comments on the council’s planning portal is today, Friday, August 15, adding a sense of immediate urgency to the ongoing local debate.
The coming months will be pivotal for Crieff, as residents strive to shape the destiny of a site deeply intertwined with their town’s identity and future development.
The long-standing eyesore, which has blighted Crieff’s main thoroughfare for years, fell into the hands of Perth and Kinross Council last year after a dedicated community-led initiative to restore it ultimately ran out of resources. Despite receiving over £1 million in various grants, the community group, Drummond Arms Regeneration Ltd, conceded defeat, citing escalating costs, the rapid decay of the building, and a persistent lack of external funding as insurmountable obstacles. Community Voices Challenge Housing Proposal
The council’s subsequent proposal to proceed with the demolition of the historic structure, estimated to cost up to £3 million, and replace it with affordable housing, has ignited considerable opposition within Crieff. Many locals feel strongly that residential properties would be entirely unsuitable and out of character for the site, nestled centrally within the town.
In a testament to community resolve, the Crieff Community Council invoked rarely-used provisions under the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2018, submitting a ‘participation request’ to demand a formal dialogue. This strategic move has now compelled the council to engage in discussions about the site’s destiny.
The primary objective for the community council is to sway local decision-makers away from the affordable housing plan. Residents have put forward a diverse range of alternative visions for the site, reflecting a desire for solutions that better serve the wider Crieff community and enhance its vibrant town centre. Suggestions have included transforming the space into much-needed parking facilities, creating new visitor amenities, or even imaginatively repurposing the hotel’s impressive A-listed facade as part of a unique climbing wall installation.
Brian Wilton MBE, chairman of Crieff Community Council, expressed his satisfaction at securing this window of opportunity, highlighting the importance of persistent advocacy. He believes this outcome offers a valuable lesson to other towns across Perthshire and beyond: the power of collective action when communities stand firm in defending their local interests. Council Pledges to Consider Community Input
The consultation process will involve a series of public workshops designed to gather diverse perspectives and ideas. The first of these pivotal meetings is scheduled for next Wednesday, August 20, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, at the Strathearn Community Campus, providing an accessible platform for all concerned residents to contribute.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council affirmed their commitment to the process, stating: “Council has instructed officers to prepare a development plan for affordable housing on the site of the Drummond Arms in line with its Corporate Asset Management Strategy. Officers are working with Crieff Community Council in accordance with their participation request and we will consider their contributions as we develop plans for the site.”
This formal engagement marks a critical juncture for the site, balancing established strategic objectives with profound local aspirations. The Weight of History and an Impending Deadline
The 19th-century Drummond Arms Hotel holds a significant place in Crieff’s history, famously being the location where Bonnie Prince Charlie held his final council of war prior to the Battle of Culloden. Its dilapidation has been a source of growing frustration for locals, with the building progressively falling into worse disrepair over recent years.
The decision for the council to take ownership came after the community’s ambitious project to save the building, despite substantial funding, was deemed unfeasible. A council report indicated that the soaring costs of regeneration, the rapid deterioration of the structure, and insufficient external funding ultimately led to the community group’s withdrawal.
The hotel was officially declared a ‘Dangerous Building’ in October 2024, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Current projections suggest that demolition could commence as early as October of the current year (2025). The council has already lodged a planning application detailing the proposed demolition, subsequent site reinstatement, modifications to a boundary wall, the erection of protective hoarding, and other related works.
This application has generated considerable public response, garnering 68 objections and, notably, no public comments in support, reflecting the prevailing sentiment in the community. The deadline for submitting comments on the council’s planning portal is today, Friday, August 15, adding a sense of immediate urgency to the ongoing local debate.
The coming months will be pivotal for Crieff, as residents strive to shape the destiny of a site deeply intertwined with their town’s identity and future development.