The Story of the Birnam Hotel
THE HOTEL
The Birnam Hotel is woven into the fabric of its surroundings: the land, the people, and the culture that define this special part of Scotland. Standing at the foot of Birnam Hill, at the gateway to Highland Perthshire, the hotel is a striking Scots Baronial building. With historic public rooms, atmospheric bedrooms, and spaces for events, the hotel draws its character from the rich landscape and heritage it holds. Our aim is simple: to create a Scottish country hotel that is both timeless and unexpected, where guests feel not just welcome but genuinely connected to where they stay.
ABOUT US
This is a handcrafted, homegrown hotel from the small local team behind The Taybank in Birnam’s twin village, Dunkeld. We are not a chain and we are not backed by big budgets. We’re doing this ourselves, working hand in hand with skilled local tradespeople, makers, and passionate partners whose dedication and craft shape every detail. From restoring the old tiled floors, sourcing Scottish treasures, curating artwork for the walls. It is slower, more thoughtful, and full of soul. Every choice is made with care and a commitment to Scottish craft, design, and honest hospitality.
A Brief History
Dating back to the 1850s, The Birnam Hotel was commissioned by William Drummond Stewart of Murthly Estate at the time of the arrival of the railway. Believed to be one of the final works of architect James Gillespie Graham, the hotel was designed as both a hotel and a health resort. With its Scots Baronial architecture and dramatic Perthshire backdrop, it quickly became a natural retreat for travellers seeking nature and restoration.
Present Day
Now under the stewardship of Fraser Potter, proprietor of The Taybank, the building is undergoing a thoughtful restoration. With designers Kim Grant and Eric Bremner, local trades, and support from friends and family, we’ve removed unsympathetic alterations to reveal its original character, uncovering long-hidden details and flourishes. The redesign embraces Scottish craft and creativity, using local furnishings, art, and materials to honour the hotel’s roots while shaping its next chapter.
A Living Story
Reopening in 2026, in our first phase, The Birnam Hotel will offer 14 individually designed bedrooms, a variety of historic public spaces, experiences and events that reimagine the spirit of the Scottish country hotel. With timeless charm, and discerning creative design, this is more than a refurbishment: it is a revival, rooted in place and heritage, and shaped for the future of Scottish hospitality. Follow our journey @birnamhotel
-
![A man with a beard and a smile, wearing a multicolored patchwork jacket, dark pants, and green sneakers, standing outdoors on a wet brick patio holding a set of keys. Behind him is an old stone building with two windows, each with four panes, and a small metal bench near the right window. The building has two black lantern-style lights mounted on the wall and a commemorative plaque partially visible above the man's head.]()
Owner Fraser the day we got the keys
-
![interior of the birnam hotel baroniall hall room with high vaulted ceiling, large window with curtains, wooden wall paneling, and workers installing or repairing flooring.]()
Carpet removal
-
![birnam hotel designers kim grant and eric bremner in the lobby with coats hanging on the side of the stairs. The setting appears to be indoors with wooden paneling on the walls and framed artwork above.]()
Design team Eric, Kim & Rum
-
![A hand holding a vintage menu from 1948 with dishes like mock turtle soup and grilled fillet steaks, surrounded by old photographs, papers, and a wooden table surface.]()
Found behind the old office fireplace
-
![An interior space filled with various antique furniture pieces, including chairs, tables, and benches, in a room with blue walls and a concrete floor.]()
The growing furniture collection
-
![Colorful ceramic tiles arranged on a wooden surface, resembling a bar graph or equalizer display.]()
Original fireplace hearth tiles
-
![A man and woman standing indoors with a dog. The man is wearing a brown jacket and beige pants, the woman is wearing a dark brown coat and a knit hat, and the dog is an Australian Shepherd with a brown and white coat and blue eyes.]()
Matchy matchy
-
![Two men sit at a table with architectural plans and handwritten notes, examining a drawing of a football field.]()
Plotting & planning with Bob
-
![Two men standing in front of a large window with divided panes, tall curtains on either side, in a room with dark wood paneling and carpet.]()
Meeting with architect Hamish
-
![Sunlight casting shadow of a decorative window on a wall inside a room, with a ceiling skylight showing blue sky and a metal framework.]()
New cupola installed
-
![Woman with short blonde hair sitting at a wooden table, flipping through a menu, smiling, with promotional flyers and a tablet on the table, in a room with white walls and a window.]()
Researching Scottish type foundries with The Hunter Press
-
![A young man in black shirt and gloves working on a wall with exposed wires and electrical panels in a room under renovation.]()
Rewiring the building
-
![A person with a blue backpack and a water bottle in hand is crawling through a narrow, dark cave tunnel with rough stone walls.]()
Under the floorboards
-
![A construction vehicle lifting a large water tank next to a stone building with a turret and multiple windows, on a cloudy day.]()
Goodbye oil!
-
![People are laying down and removing purple carpets in a large, well-lit room with framed photos on the wall, a chandelier, and wooden paneling.]()
Stripping out the carpets
-
![A table with color swatches, sample paints, and notes, a plate with a croissant and jam, set near a window with a view of stone buildings outside.]()
Scheming fueled by Aran Bakery
-
![A man sitting indoors next to a Border Collie dog lying on the carpet; behind them, a wall with design boards displaying furniture and room concepts, and a table with a laptop, mug, and backpack.]()
Moodboard making
-
![Colorful chalk drawings on paper depicting a landscape and a still life with a wine bottle, a red umbrella, and a plate of food, with a box of soft pastels nearby.]()
Sketching
-
![Two men are indoors, one is standing on a ladder holding a lantern, while the other is supporting or adjusting the lantern from below. The room has wood paneling on the lower walls and a chandelier fixture on the ceiling.]()
Lantern testing
-
![Collection of vintage papers and tickets, including a 1951 Birnam Highland Games annual ball ticket, a menu from a diner, a photograph of a young child in front of a fountain, a coin, and various old handwritten or printed notes scattered on a wooden surface.]()
The Birnam Ball
-
![Sunlight shining through a window with a tree outside, and a part of the window has frost or condensation.]()
Winter light in the lounge
Follow Our Restoration Journey
