One of Perthshire’s top country house hotels is on the market with a price of more than £4 million.
Murrayshall Hotel, which has 41 bedrooms and two golf courses, features on international property agents Knight Frank’s list of commercial properties for sale.
But Murrayshall managing director Tony Bryan has assured staff there would be no change to the management and operation of an award-winning property that is steeped in history.
He also said any sale may be a lengthy process, as the Swiss-based owner wants to make sure the right buyer is found to take the business forward.
The four-star Murrayshall has been in private ownership for more than 30 years and benefited from major investment. But the owner is now mapping out plans for retirement.
The hotel, near Scone, enjoys an international profile and was recently voted Golf Hotel of the Year for Central and Fife, and enjoys a place in Golf World’s top 100 courses in Scotland.
Mr Bryan said: “After developing and caring for the estate over such a long period, it is important to the present owner that the new purchaser continues to develop and operate the property to the same high standards which have been maintained for so many years.
“It is intended the property will be sold as a going concern and will continue to operate and service all existing markets for which it has built an enviable reputation.”
The original Murrayshall House, which has undergone several modernisations down the centuries, was built in 1664 by Sir Andrew Murray, son of the First Lord of Balvaird, and brother of David Murray, the Second Lord of Balvaird and Fourth Viscount of Stormont.
The direct descendants of the family are the earls of Mansfield. Sir Andrew’s granddaughter, Janet Murray, went on to marry Patrick Graham, the great uncle of Thomas Graham, who later became Lord Lynedoch.
The families occupied the house for more than 250 years.
It was bought by Francis Norie-Miller in 1927 when he was managing director of insurance giants General Accident. In 1973 it was bought by local businessmen, including former St Johnstone director Lindsay Dow, and Murrayshall Golf Course was designed by Hamilton J Stutt, with the Lynedoch to follow, creating 36 holes among 350 acres of parkland, agricultural land and rolling hills.