Visitors to top resort hotel Crieff Hydro will be able to check out the destination before they check in after it became the latest local business to feature in an online tour by Dundee’s Mr Droogle.
Hundreds of newly-posted and searchable pictures make the walk-through tour Scotland’s biggest yet, and uncover all parts of the sprawling complex.
As well as virtual tours of the spa hotel’s Winter Gardens, Brasserie and Ballroom, would-be guests will be able to imagine a swim thanks to a full-length online view of the hotel pool’s stunning ceiling murals.
That meant a curious assignment for photographer Drew Cunningham, who had to strip to his swimming trunks in order to get the perfect shot.
“When my marketing manager Alan Morrison showed me pictures of the Victorian Spa I thought it was a shame pictures shot from the side didn’t show the murals properly, so I decided to take the camera and tripod into the pool so you could appreciate them fully,” he said.
“It was a nerve-wracking half-hour shooting the 360-degree panoramics there after the spa was closed, but we feel it was worth it.”
The prestigious location, which employs around 500 people, is one of Scotland’s oldest companies. The ‘Hydro’ was founded in 1868 as a hydropathic spa by physician Thomas H Meikle.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for guests to explore Crieff Hydro before their visit,” said hotel marketing manager Sarah Nicolson.
“The quality of the tours is exceptional. It almost feels as if you are right here.”
The interactive marketing tool uses Google Maps’ Street View function to allow customers to take a ‘walk-through’ tour of business premises on their computer, tablet or smartphone.
More than 70 businesses across Tayside and Fife have already taken advantage, helping the Mr Droogle partnership on its way to two sales awards from the internet giant.
The franchise, the official Google supplier for the Scottish Lowlands, has since shot two more tours of hotels and is in talks with another major group and leading department store.
Other businesses to take part include Fife’s Scaramanga Trading. The Cupar and St Andrews-based Courier Business Award winner injected a James Bond theme into a tour of its warehouse and store in Cupar.