Council to bulldoze 'dangerous' former hotel in Crieff lain empty for 18 years

A “dangerous” former hotel in Perth and Kinross is to be demolished after lying empty for nearly two decades.

The council has been asked to take ownership of the Drummond Arms Hotel in Crieff after community plans to save the building fell through.

The Drummond Arms Regeneration Limited (DARL), established by the Crieff Community Trust, has written to the council leader to offer the transfer at nil value.

The town centre building has lain empty since 2006 after falling increasingly into disrepair. No buyer has been found, and it was served with a Dangerous Buildings Notice in October.

A recent structural survey revealed that the structural elements and timbers have continued to deteriorate significantly, with the roof structure, chimneys, and high street-facing windows deemed unsafe.

DARL said all funding options had been exhausted, and the building could not continue to operate beyond March 2025.

The Finance and Resources Committee is to consider the transfer proposal at a meeting on November 20.

Councillor Grant Laing, Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “This is a decision of last resort.

“The community group had great ambitions for the building, but unfortunately have not been able to deliver on these.

“There’s a real risk that if DARL goes into liquidation still owning the building that the ensuring legal procedures would leave the future of the site in question for many, many more years.

“If committee supports the request to transfer the building title to the Council this also allow us to protect public safety and bring an end to the lengthy saga of the Drummond Arms.

“The condition of the building means that the only viable option left is demolition.

“While it is not the news local residents will have hoped for, it is the most practical solution to mitigate the risks posed by the deteriorating structure.”