A Small Rural Business invests to meet the expectations of The Luxury Traveller
Imagine meandering your way through some of Scotland’s most stunning scenery, the stresses of everyday life beginning to ease as the promise of a luxurious and authentically Scottish welcome draws closer.
A fine single malt poured on arrival. A roaring fire to relax beside before retreating to the comfort and privacy of your individually styled room or suite. Your journey already a distant memory as you prepare to enjoy a five-star culinary experience in the stunning Orangery Restaurant — where a warm atmosphere, exceptional service and the finest local produce come together within an elegant 18th-century mansion house, set in a 10-acre Scottish estate in the heart of rural Perthshire.
Sound too good to be true? Visit The Old Manse of Blair, near Blair Atholl, and you’ll discover that it isn’t.
Acquired in 2016 by Anne and Archie Macdonald, this Georgian mansion has been lovingly transformed from a dilapidated country house into a 23-bedroom luxury boutique hotel and award-winning Orangery Restaurant.
With a clear ambition to maximise the potential of the estate and its uniquely desirable location, Anne approached Mozolowski & Murray in 2018. This marked the beginning of the first of two bespoke projects, each designed to enhance the guest experience, support the continued development of the business and add significant long-term value to the property.
“We woke to a dusting of snow outside, which gave the Orangery a magical feeling when we returned for a hearty full Scottish breakfast.”
Guest Feedback
Speaking about the restoration and the business, Proprietor Anne Macdonald said:
“Our whole product offering is based on and driven on high quality, and this is really evident when people visit the hotel. They love the blend of contemporary and traditional and how it’s been brought together, from the fabric of the building to the interior finishes.
"The developments had to compliment the historic building yet meet the expectations of the luxury traveller. The Orangery development has been a huge success opening up areas of opportunity and growth for our small rural business.
“With Mozolowski & Murrays industry leading reputation for quality of product, bespoke design, in-house manufacturing and full project management service, they were the obvious choice for designing and installing our Orangery restaurant.
“Virginia quickly understood what we were looking to achieve and worked with us, producing an Orangery design that would not only complement the existing style of property but create a bright, modern dining space designed to enhance the guest experience throughout every season and for every occasion."
A Five-Star Outcome
Completed in just six weeks, the Orangery Restaurant quickly established itself as a leading culinary destination, achieving five-star recognition from VisitScotland and the AA within its first year.
Beyond enhancing the dining experience, the new Orangery significantly increased the commercial potential of The Old Manse of Blair. The additional space enabled the hotel to accommodate weddings, private celebrations and larger events, broadening its offering, diversifying the business and creating valuable new opportunities for revenue and growth.
The Walled Garden Rooms
Aspen | Silver Birch | Wild Rose | Rowan | Sycamore | Elm | Holly | Cherry | Damson | Elm
With the success of the Orangery Restaurant now playing a pivotal role in establishing The Old Manse of Blair as a luxury destination, Anne and Archie continued to pursue their ambitious plans for the estate.
The former stables were converted into luxury guest accommodation, alongside the estate cottages, increasing the hotel’s capacity to 13 bedrooms. However, with growing demand from international tour operators, corporate guests and larger family groups seeking a high-end Scottish hospitality experience, further expansion was needed.
Anne and Archie therefore returned to Mozolowski & Murray to design, manufacture and install an additional 10 self-contained guest bedrooms within the hotel’s walled garden — taking the next significant step in the evolution of the business.
Bringing The Walled Garden to Life
The Mozolowski & Murray design team proposed a standalone building positioned to look out towards the surrounding hills, with a larch-clad exterior carefully chosen to sit naturally within the landscape. Each room was designed with its own private entrance and patio to the front, complemented by a luxurious wet room to the rear.
For Anne, it was important that the new accommodation felt sympathetic to its setting rather than imposed upon it. The combination of natural larch cladding and the shelter of the historic walled garden provided the perfect solution, allowing the development to blend quietly into its surroundings.
Inside, Anne’s flair for interior design brought an entirely different character to the rooms. Each was given its own botanical-inspired identity — a contemporary interpretation of the garden setting that feels discreet and restrained from the outside, yet distinctive, expressive and full of personality within.
Anne continues;
“With the Orangery design and build process having gone so smoothly, we didn’t hesitate to enlist Mozolowski & Murray again to deliver another ambitious project. Their professionalism throughout was exceptional. The quality of the design and finish, their reliability and the level of communication they provide make them, in our view, an invaluable partner when expanding a business in this way.
“To be a credible luxury brand, you have to be prepared to invest in the level of quality your guests have rightly come to expect. Mozolowski & Murray not only understand that, they share the same ethos, which is why we have complete confidence in them.
“They turn up when they say they will and, in all weathers, deliver on their promises. They go the extra mile to ensure the job is completed on time, within budget and to the standard expected. In a commercial environment, that is worth its weight in gold.
“There’s a saying in Highland Perthshire: ‘No hurry north of Dunkeld.’ I’m pleased to confirm that no such saying applied here! Looking back at both projects, there are photographs of the Mozolowski & Murray team working through the snow in January, here in the Cairngorms, to ensure everything was delivered on time and on budget.
“Both the Orangery and the Walled Garden Rooms transformed our business almost immediately upon completion. They enabled us to respond to increased demand, particularly from international visitors, while further strengthening our reputation as a luxury provider of authentic Scottish hospitality.
“Investing in quality allows us to deliver quality, and Mozolowski & Murray have played an important role in helping us achieve that. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.”
The Mozolowski & Murray Difference
Full project design and management
Completed out of season in rural location
No disruption to existing business function
Bespoke design to suit existing style of property
Highest quality materials and finish
Built for a lifetime of added value
“Because we work throughout the year and regularly undertake projects in rural locations, Anne and Archie were able to expand their business in line with their own financial and strategic timeline. Despite encountering some typically challenging Scottish winter weather, our team worked tirelessly to bring these two very different projects to life.
“We’re delighted to see the Orangery Restaurant being enjoyed by so many guests, alongside the Walled Garden Rooms, which have become a striking addition to both the business and the wider estate. The bespoke nature of our work allowed Anne and Archie to develop each project around the character of the existing property, its location and the expectations of their clientele, without compromising on their overall vision.
“It’s hugely rewarding for everyone at Mozolowski & Murray to see The Old Manse of Blair achieve its five-star reputation and to know that the work we delivered across both projects continues to make a meaningful contribution to the success of the business — not only today, but for many years to come.”
Virginia Murray Director of Mozolowski & Murray
To find out more call us on 0131 447 8651
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