A COUNTRY house hotel in Perthshire dating back to 1880 has been put up for sale, with offers of more than £4.95 million sought for the freehold, writes Ian McConnell.

Ballathie House Hotel, south of Kinclaven, is set in a 235-acre estate, with a total of 53 bedrooms. The main house, overlooking the River Tay, has 25 rooms finished to a four-star standard.

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Property agent Christie & Co said the current owners had owned the hotel since 2005 and the wider estate since 1998.

Noting the popularity of the hotel as a wedding venue, Christie & Co said: “There is significant potential for a new owner to increase the estate’s income through the development of additional luxury accommodation or spa facilities within the vast grounds, subject to planning consent.”

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The grounds provide access to private fishing rights over 1.5 miles of the River Tay, the property agent noted, declaring this was “particularly popular among guests during the salmon-fishing season”.

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Stuart Drysdale, director at Christie & Co, said: “Family-owned and operated for many years, the hotel benefits from the wider Perthshire catchment area, while also proving attractive to home-grown and international visitors looking for a classic Scottish break.”