A 200-year-old manse is set to be transformed into a luxury venue in a bid to plug a “gap” in the Perthshire tourism market.
The Old Manse at Blair, which was most recently a private dwelling, will be able to hold small weddings and conferences under plans submitted to Perth and Kinross Council.
Outbuildings on the site will become luxury self-catering accommodation, while some rooms within the manse itself will transformed into 5* guest accommodation.
The plans include the addition of an orangery as well as permission to erect a marquee in the grounds on an as-needed basis.
Developers Blair Ecosse Management plan to market the manse towards the growing “heritage tourism” sector of the industry.
In a statement submitted to Perth and Kinross Council they said: “The proposal is to utilise the existing heritage building, approaching its 200th year anniversary, so that it becomes a central part of the local economy, fostering a real sense of community in Blair Atholl, Bruar and Pitagowan in order that these communities become an even more vibrant place to work and live.
“In order to preserve, maintain and improve the existing Grade C listed building and its site it is imperative that the property is able to generate income which can then be re-invested to achieve those objectives.
“It is the applicant’s intention that the site would continue to be utilised for high quality ‘exclusive-use’ self-catering accommodation but extended to include corporate meetings and business events, and to include conferencing and special events and small exclusive weddings specifically targeting the luxury travel market, where there is a gap in provision in Perthshire.”
It is estimated Britain’s heritage helps generate £4.5 billion for the UK economy and supports 100,000 jobs.
The statement added: “These statistics demonstrate the economic opportunities that are available and the development of this high quality heritage tourism business in the Highland Perthshire region can only strengthen the local economy.
“A development of this nature would also promote a less transient and less seasonal economy, an important issue within the local tourism sector.”
The manse dates back to 1828 and was originally a farmhouse on the Atholl Estates.
The house was enlarged and remodelled in Georgian times when it was gifted to the Church by the estate as a home for the minister when two adjoining parishes were combined.
