Cromlix

Long before Cromlix became the grand house it is today, the area was already home to early settlers. On the west of the house, stone cists, ancient coffins, have been found, hinting at life here long before the 15th century. The name ‘Cromlix’ may come from old Gaelic words meaning a standing stone or the curve of a sloping hillside. The estate appears in records from the 16th and 18th centuries under variations like ‘Cromlixes’ and ‘Cromlec’. A castle once stood nearby, noted in 1723 as ‘Cromligs’, though it no longer exists. Its site is still faintly visible at Cambushinnie.

The house itself began as a modest Victorian cottage in 1874, built by Captain Arthur Drummond. It was simple, cozy, and had no grand staircase. Just four years later, a fire destroyed it, but it was rebuilt in 1880 in the same style. Later, Colonel Arthur Hay Drummond, the captain’s nephew, expanded the house and transformed the gardens, employing a dozen gardeners to care for the grounds. In 1981, Cromlix opened as a luxury country house hotel. The Murray family bought it in 2013, though their connection to the estate goes back decades. Today, Cromlix is recognized for its excellence, awarded MICHELIN Key in the MICHELIN Guide, and AA Hotel of the Year, Scotland 2024-25, along with several other prestigious awards.

The rooms and suites in this Victorian mansion are peaceful retreats that bring the outside in, while retaining a country house feel with historical elements. Each space is individually styled with artwork, curios, and colors inspired by nature. The rooms and suites are luxurious, with spacious bedrooms, elegant sitting areas, and calming views of the estate or surrounding woodland. Many feature large bathrooms and carefully curated décor, and connected suites can be linked to create a private wing for a more expansive stay.

The Laurel Gate Lodge, with its turret, wooden porch, and beautiful woodland views, captures all the charm of Cromlix House in miniature and was fully refurbished in the summer of 2023. Although 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) from the main house, a car is on standby to whisk guests to the estate’s central amenities, offering the best of both worlds.

The on-site Glasshouse Restaurant is airy and bright, filled with natural light. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner while savoring dishes that showcase Scottish seasonal ingredients with international influences. Executive Head Chef James Mearing and his team use fresh produce from the estate’s garden and nearby woodlands, turning local flavors into delicious meals. Menus include tasting options, vegetarian dishes, and meals for children. The kitchens handle all 14 legally recognized allergens, and care is taken in preparing every dish.

Opening hours:
Breakfast: 7:30 am to 10:30 am
Lunch: 12 pm to 2 pm
Dinner: 6 pm to 9 pm

Afternoon tea is served from 12 pm to 4 pm, with a selection of teas or coffee, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, seasonal cakes, and homemade focaccia breads. Gluten-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, and vegan options are also available, and a glass of champagne can be added for a special treat.

Guests can also unwind in the on-site bar, a comfortable space offering cocktails, wines, single malts, and non-alcoholic drinks. Curved seating, rich colors, and striking artwork create a friendly and inviting setting, open from noon until late.

Cromlix offers an elegant setting for weddings, blending historic charm with a relaxed, modern style. The grounds, gardens, chapel, and private dining rooms provide a storybook backdrop while the hotel team ensures everything runs smoothly. Personal touches make each wedding unique, and the team can recommend trusted suppliers such as florists and photographers, or you may work with your own wedding planner to bring your vision to life.

The Study
Venue type and style: Perfect for intimate weddings, The Study offers an elegant dining room with playful details such as rainbow polka-dots on the wallpaper and a pink ceiling. Guests can enjoy beautiful food while admiring artworks from the Royal Society for Arts.

The Garden Room
Venue type and style: For small weddings, the Garden Room provides a Victorian-style space full of bohemian charm. Rich colors and eclectic artwork create a boutique dining atmosphere with drama and character.
Capacity: Up to 24 guests

The Drawing Room
Venue type and style: The Drawing Room features large bay windows, an open fire, and a bright, airy setting. This sumptuous, colorful space is perfect for mid-sized wedding celebrations.
Capacity: Up to 50 guests

Glasshouse Restaurant
Venue type and style: Especially suitable for evening entertainment, the Glasshouse Restaurant offers a light-filled, open-plan conservatory adorned with botanicals and elegant décor, for a wedding meal and dancing.
Capacity: Up to 70 guests

Front Lawn
Venue type and style: A marquee or tipi on the front lawn can host the ceremony, dining, and dancing. A minimum two-day exclusive-use hire is required, and the team can assist with catering and trusted suppliers to bring your wedding vision to life.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

Cromlix offers a variety of experiences designed to entertain, relax, and immerse guests in the estate’s stunning surroundings. Within the grounds, you can enjoy tennis on the courts, take a leisurely stroll along the trails, or unwind with a game of billiards indoors. For a more adventurous touch, archery and laser clay shooting provide fun challenges under expert guidance, while the Highland Games let you try traditional Scottish activities such as dancing, caber tossing, haggis hurling, and the Farmer’s Dash.

Outdoor garden games like croquet, lawn putting, boules, quoits, and a giant lawn chessboard make for leisurely afternoons in the sun. Those looking for relaxation can indulge in in-room spa treatments, including massages, facials, reflexology, and Indian head massages, with tailored packages available to suit individual needs. Nature enthusiasts can join guided foraging walks across the estate, discovering seasonal plants and fungi and creating snacks, herbal remedies, or craft items. Herbology workshops allow guests to make their own spa salts and herbal tea blends, learning about the health benefits of herbs, essential oils, and mineral salts.

Set on 34 acres (0.4 hectares) of woodland, farmland, and gardens, Cromlix also offers quiet corners to reflect, gentle running paths, and even opportunities to meet the hotel’s chickens. Just three miles (4.8 kilometers) away, the nearby town of Dunblane adds cultural and historical interest, with its cathedral, museum, riverside parks, and the Golden Post Box celebrating Andy Murray’s Olympic gold.

The festive season at Cromlix is full of warmth and fun in the Scottish countryside. At Christmas, guests can enjoy a three-night stay with cream tea and mulled wine on arrival, full Scottish breakfasts, festive dinners, champagne afternoon tea, carol singing, and Boxing Day falconry and duck herding. New Year celebrations include a three-night stay, a gala dinner with champagne, brunch, and afternoon tea on New Year’s Day, plus Highland games and falconry displays.

Cromlix is available for a wide range of private events and corporate functions, offering a variety of unique spaces for gatherings both large and small. The hotel also provides tailored packages for team-building activities and group experiences.

The Study
A characterful, cozy room with playful touches like rainbow polka-dot wallpaper and a bright pink ceiling, perfect for relaxed dinners and intimate gatherings.
Capacity: 10 guests

The Billiards Room
Bold and vibrant, filled with color, florals, stag’s heads, and quirky accessories, ideal for informal standing receptions, drinks, and finger buffets.
Capacity: 40 guests

The Garden Room
A dramatic Victorian-style space with rich, eclectic décor and views of the gardens, suited for private dining or small celebrations.
Capacity: 24 guests

Meetings & Corporate Spaces
Stylish and welcoming spaces for team meetings, client dinners, or corporate gatherings, with options for tailored packages and estate activities.

Cromlix cares about the environment and the local community. The 2023 refurbishment added energy-saving things like better heating, LED lights, insulated pipes, and a borehole water system. Waste is cut down with refillable toiletries, local food, and vegetables and herbs grown on site. Cromlix works with local schools, artists, and suppliers, and hosts community events. Future plans include more rooms, a bigger kitchen garden, ways to save energy, and getting Butterfly Mark certification.