By Susan Young
The £5m redevelopment of Crieff Hydro has been a real team effort, led by brothers Richard and Charlie Leckie, who developed a clear vision of what they wanted – with the design insight of longstanding Head of Interiors Fiona Leckie.
The vision was brought to life by Denholm Partnership Architects, long-time collaborators with the hotel, and interior designers 3 Design, based in Glasgow. The entire fit-out was delivered by principal contractors Thomas Johnstone Ltd, whose ability to coordinate complex works in a live hotel environment was key to the project’s success.
Charlie Leckie said, “It was a very smooth process because we worked very well with Thomas Johnstone – that’s why we were able to get the project finished on time and on budget, no small feat in a building that dates back to 1868.”
A spokesperson for Thomas Jonstone, the contractors commented, “Our role encompassed the full coordination and delivery of the works, all within a live, operational environment. A key strength of our delivery was the involvement of our in-house divisions, allowing us to manage resources directly and bring a joined-up approach across all elements of the build.
“Our Manufactured Joinery division played a significant role in producing several bespoke items for the hotel, including the striking centrepiece bar in the Ballroom Bar. Our Decorating division carried out internal finishes across each of the hotel’s new dining spaces.”
While Jude Carter of Denholm Architects commented, “Denholm Partnership Architects have worked with the Crieff Hydro Family of Hotels for over 35 years and, in that time have developed a deep understanding of the business and how it operates.
“We have worked on numerous projects that have seen Crieff Hydro grow including new self-catering lodges, leisure facilities and staff accommodation as well as expanding the F & B offerings, additional hotel rooms, a new entrance foyer, new conference and function facilities and a purpose built kid’s club amongst many other things.
“This project was very much driven by the younger generation at the Hydro with support and guidance from the more experienced members of their team. For us it was very exciting to experience their vibrancy and youthful energy and further develop our working relationship.
“In common with almost all our projects at the Hydro, it has been a joy to work with their team on this project and we’re delighted to be part of the next chapter of the Crieff Hydro story.”
Charlie Leckie reveals, “We started the project in January knowing we wanted to have a new bar, and we brought in 3 Design to do the interiors. Initially, we had only planned to do the Ballroom bar, but there was a lot of backand-forth about its location.
“The Winter Garden was considered, but it still would have left the Ballroom like a corridor. So we decided to put the bar in the Ballroom. Then the project expanded to include the Winter Garden, The Loggia, The Brasserie and East.
“Suzy Kingswood of 3 Design was a pleasure to work with. We wanted the areas all to connect and she managed to make all the areas flow seamlessly into each other – so they were not too drastically different. She did a brilliant job, Gerry too.”
Suzy too enjoyed the project. She told Hotel Scotland, “Our involvement in this project has been a pleasure from start to finish, working with the Leckie family at Crieff closely on all aspects of the design, we felt a part of their team – we were lucky to work alongside Denholm Architects with their exceptional attention to detail, the main contractor Thomas Johnstone – their skills and management of the project were second to none.
“As well as many other talented specialist contractors and consultants. The completed areas are exactly as imagined, if not better – the service flow has been improved which was critical for the client, but also beautiful with personal touches to the hotels history in art work and retaining a sense of Crieff in its appearance, allowing the F&B offer to move to a new era of service and excellence for this destination hotel.”
At the centre of the Crieff Hydro transformation is the newly created Ballroom Bar, a previously underutilised space that now serves as the vibrant heart of the hotel.
There’s the reimagined Winter Garden (main picture), whose iconic glass structure has been sympathetically restored to become a bright, elegant setting for brunches and afternoon teas.
The Loggia, with sweeping views of Strathearn, now gleams with restored chandeliers and marble-topped finishes and The Brasserie serves rustic bistro-style classics, while East, a new Asian-inspired restaurant, delivers a bold, modern dining experience with shareable plates rooted in Scottish produce.
Hidden behind a bookcase lies The Hermitage—a speakeasy-style bar designed for grown-up escapes, complete with whisky lockers and no phones allowed.
Says Charlie, “The Ballroom Bar, which was once a corridor, is now a destination and a central, multifunctional hub—a place for families to gather over morning coffee, or for guests to start their evening.”
The redesign includes a bespoke oak-stained gantry with glass and metalwork, a hand-picked bookcase wall that hides the secret speakeasy, and elegant furniture that balances comfort with functionality. The new layout is as practical as it is beautiful. With 605 covers across all venues and a modular approach to flow, spaces can be adapted without disrupting service.
“We’ve created venues that suit every guest—families, couples, groups. And each has its own distinct atmosphere,” says Richard.
Throughout the renovation, the Leckie family were determined to preserve the spirit of Crieff Hydro. Rather than gutting spaces, they layered in modern elegance while respecting heritage – be it through marble tiling, restored windows, or carefully selected artefacts from the hotel’s archives.
Historical curios—old menus, share certificates, and even a penny fine box from the days when guests were charged for being late to dinner—are displayed as living stories throughout the new spaces all of which were curated by Suzy Kingswood of 3 Design.
There is also a spectacular chandelier in the Winter Garden, adorned with 420 handapplied crystal gems—each one meticulously installed over nine hours. and there are quite a few other chandeliers too – all of which were hand strung. The new Brasserie is designed for relaxed dining without a children’s menu per se – though it welcomes all ages.
Meanwhile, East pushes the envelope with a menu developed in collaboration with Think Hospitality’s James Hacon, including input from a “menu psychologist” on dish positioning and pricing.
“We didn’t want ‘just hotel food,’” says Charlie. “We wanted to offer something unexpected—like our Asian-style garlic bread or our incredible cauliflower dish. It’s playful, but rooted in quality.”
Less visible but no less vital, a complete overhaul of the kitchen and service areas ensures the hotel can now support a high volume of guests with ease. A new production kitchen, a shift from gas to electric, enhanced ventilation, and smart dishwashing systems are just some of the £800k investments that future-proof Crieff Hydro’s service.
“The kitchen runs 18 hours a day,” says Charlie. “It’s the engine house. Guests might never see it, but it powers the entire food and drink experience.”
Throughout the project, the goal has always been about more than just style. It’s about legacy. “Our grandparents taught us to dance in that ballroom,” says Charlie. “It’s emotional. We didn’t want to erase what made this place special—but we also needed to bring it forward for a new generation.”
It’s a delicate balance – heritage and evolution, past and present. But Crieff Hydro, under the stewardship of the Leckie family and their expert partners, has managed it with grace.
The result is a hotel that honours its remarkable history while confidently stepping into the future—a place where you can enjoy brunch under art deco chandeliers, sip gin in a secret bar, and see your family’s story unfold, just as generations have done before.
Related story:
Interview: Charlie and Richard Leckie – The generational shift at Crieff Hydro