design@mozmurray.co.uk
0131 447 8651

The Old Manse of Blair

Bespoke Orangery Restaurant Design  |  10 Luxury Independent Guest Suites  |  Repeat Commercial Client

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 stress of your everyday life beginning to ease as the alure of a luxurious and authentically Scottish welcome awaits you. A fine single malt poured upon arrival as you relax in front of a roaring fire before heading to the comfort and privacy of your uniquely styled room or suite. Your journey already a distant memory as you get ready to enjoy a 5-star culinary experience set within the stunning Orangery restaurant that offers a warm atmosphere, exceptional service and the finest local produce, and all nestled within an 18th Century Mansion House on a 10-acre Scottish Estate in the heart of Rural Perthshire.

Sound too good to be true? Well, all you need to do is visit The Old Manse Blair near Blair Atholl to discover it’s not.

Acquired in 2016 by Anne and Archie Macdonald, this Georgian Mansion has been lovingly restored from a dilapidated Country home into a 23-bedroom Luxury Boutique Hotel and Award-wining Orangery Restaurant. With a clear ambition to maximise the potential of the Estate and its uniquely desirable location, Anne contacted Mozolowski & Murray in 2018 to begin what would be the first of two bespoke projects designed to enhance their business, while adding significant 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 review
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.”

The Orangery Restaurant was built in just six weeks and quickly became established as a leading culinary venue, earning a five-star grading from Visit Scotland and the AA within its first year. The addition of the Orangery also meant the Perthshire venue could accommodate weddings and large events, diversifying the business portfolio and creating new sales and revenue opportunities.

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 must visit destination, Anne and Archie continued with their ambitious business development plan by converting Estate stables into luxury rooms, along with Estate cottages bringing their total room capacity to 13.  But keen to meet the demands of international tour operators, corporate and larger family groups all seeking a luxury Scottish hospitality experience, Anne and Archie re-enlisted Mozolowski & Murray to design, manufacture and install a further 10 self-contained bedrooms to be located within the hotels walled garden.
Mozolowski & Murrays design team proposed a standalone building facing out towards the surrounding hills with a larch-cladded exterior, each room enjoying a private entrance and patio to the front, with luxurious wet rooms to the rear. As Anne was keen for any development to blend into its natural surroundings, the larch cladding combined with the walled garden was the perfect choice. Anne’s flare for interior design saw each room with a uniquely inspired botanical theme cleverly hidden within the heritage of the walled garden but boldly enjoyed from within.
Anne continued,

“With the Orangery design and build process so smooth, we didn’t hesitate in enlisting Mozolowski & Murray again to deliver another ambitious project. Their professionalism throughout remained exceptional. The overall design, quality of finish, reliability and level of communication makes them, in our view, a must have when expanding your business in this way.

“To be a credible luxury brand you must be prepared to invest in the kind of quality your guests have rightly come to expect from you and Mozolowski & Murray not only understand this, but they embody the same ethos which is why we have complete confidence in them.

“They turn up when they say they will and, in all weathers, they deliver on their promises and they go the extra mile to ensure the job gets done on time, within budget and to the standards expected. In a commercial environment, that’s worth its weight in gold! There’s a saying in Highland Perthshire, ‘No hurry north of Dunkeld’. However, I am pleased to confirm no such saying applies here as we look back on the two build projects and images of the team working in the snow in January, here in the Cairngorms, to deliver the project on time and on budget.

“Both the Orangery and the Walled Garden Rooms transformed our business almost immediately upon completion, with increased demand from international visitors in particular, and our reputation as a luxury provider of authentic Scottish hospitality. Investing in quality, means we can deliver on quality, and Mozolowski & Murray have played an important role in helping us achieve this. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them.”

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 all year round and in rural locations, Anne and Archie were able to expand their business so suit their own financial and strategic timeline and despite experiencing some typical Scottish Winter weather, our team worked tirelessly to bring these two very different projects to life.

“We are thrilled to see the Orangery Restaurant being enjoyed by so many as well as the Walled Garden Rooms which are a stunning addition to the business and the Estate. The bespoke nature of our business has enabled Anne and Archie to design and develop theirs to suit the existing style of property, location and clientele without having to compromise on their overall vision.

“It’s very rewarding for everyone here at Mozolowski & Murray to see The Old Manse of Blair earn it’s 5-Star reputation and know that the work we carried out on both projects is proving a success for the business now and for decades to come.”    
To find out more call us on 0131 447 8651

Commercial Case Studies 

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    The Old Manse of Blair
    Anne and Archie Macdonald have created a 23-Bedroom Boutique Hotel in the heart of rural Perthshire where the perfect blend of tradition and luxury has earned them a 5-Star reputation. 
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    From Hotel Restaurant Extensions and Orangery Events Spaces to Standalone Self Catering Suites and Bespoke Luxury Wedding Venues, we work across the whole of Scotland and throughout every season to deliver for your business.
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Design Centre
57 Comiston Road,
Edinburgh EH10 6AG
0131 447 8651
design@mozmurray.co.uk
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