- Crieff Hydro
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Crieff Hydro 
Location Crieff, Perth and Kinross, United Kingdom Coordinates 56°22′32″N 3°50′33″W / 56.37568°N 3.84262°WCoordinates: 56°22′32″N 3°50′33″W / 56.37568°N 3.84262°W Opening date 1868 Developer Dr Thomas Meikle Architect Robert Ewan Crieff Hydro is a hotel in Crieff, Perthshire, Scotland. The purpose-built hotel opened in 1868 as the Crieff Hydropathic Establishment, and is locally known as the Hydro. It was founded in 1868 by Dr Thomas Henry Meikle,[1] who had received treatment at a centre in Gräfenberg, Austria (now known as Lázně Jeseník, Czech Republic), where Vincent Priessnitz had built such an establishment. Preissnitz based his pharmacopeia on water, plenty of exercise, fresh mountain air, water treatments in the cool sparkling brooks and simple wholesome country food.[2]
Contents
History
In 1857, Dr Meikle, a recent medical graduate from Edinburgh University, observed Priessnitz's work and whilst being personally disparaging of him for his non-medical background, took back some of his principles for his new hydropathic establishment in Aberdeen, Scotland. When Priessnitz came to Britain on a visit promoted by the publications of Captain R. T. Claridge, a prominent booster of his methods, The Lancet was particularly scathing about his work, describing him as a charlatan and a fraud.[3] However, Dr James Manby Gully, also an Edinburgh medical graduate, picked up on the "water cure", his most famous patient being Charles Darwin, who attended Gully's establishment in Malvern, Worcestershire.
Built in the second wave of such establishments in the UK in the latter part of the nineteenth century, Crieff Hydro utilised the Caledonian Railway to bring a prosperous, sober clientele from the lowlands of Scotland to take the cure in upmarket conditions. The architect of the original Scots-Jacobean style building, built at a cost of £30,000, was Robert Ewan, but the original building was extended in the later heyday of hydropathic spas in 1893–94.[4]
It was successful from the start and, from a stable of 20 such establishments across Scotland at the peak, is one of only two left, the other being in Peebles enjoying similar upland surroundings. Priessnitz considered mountain scenery an essential background to his Nature Cure. By 1874, as medical superintendent, Dr Meikle was drawing a salary of £500 per annum, receiving dividends on his investment at the maximum of 7% and getting an extraordinary £279 as an ex gratia payment.[5]
During World War II, the government took over the Hydro, and Free Polish forces were billeted there, to the chagrin of some of the residents of the town, who felt scarce food supplies were being diverted to the Poles' exclusive use.[citation needed]
It has been a Category B listed building since 1971.[1]
Regime
The principles of the establishment were decidedly firm and of a Protestant religious character (notably the United Presbyterians and the Evangelical Union favoured the establishment),[6] with a fine of one penny being levied for those who missed grace before meals.[7] The establishment still possesses an aura of its teetotal foundation, and has no bars, although though a table licence was obtained in the 1970s. It is run by the great, great, great, grand nephew of the original founder and medical superintendent.[8] It became a favourite destination for alcoholics to dry-out. It offered and continues to offer cheap rates for Church of Scotland ministers out of season, though they are not required now to lead daily prayers. Smoking was also disapproved of, though not banned, a small and obscure room being set aside for smokers' use.
Operation
It was rather self-contained, farming its own estate until very recently, and possessing its own hydro-electric station, fed from Loch Turret until 1968, (now part of the seven-station Breadalbane hydroelectric scheme) and its own laundry. Although not a family business now, the company still has only 160 shareholders.
Today
The main restaurant, a grand Victorian dining room, is named after the founder. The hotel has a range of facilities for indoor and outdoor pursuits such as a golf course, riding stables, a gym, swimming pools, 5-a-side football pitches and, basketball, badminton and squash courts. It is run by the great-great-great-grand nephew of the founder.[8] Its facilities for children are particularly good.
References
- ^ a b "Overview of Crieff Hydro". Gazetteer for Scotland. http://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst17173.html. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
- ^ Crieff Hydro. "Child Friendly Family Hotels, Health Spa Hotel Crieff Hydro Perthshire Scotland UK". Crieffhydro.com. http://www.crieffhydro.com/. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ^ http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5035376317
- ^ "Basic Site Details: Crieff Hydropathic". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=203237. Retrieved 19 April 2011.
- ^ http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:ZVjFMOlhg5QJ:www.h-net.org/~business/bhcweb/publications/BEHprint/v026n2/p0426-p0437.pdf+&hl=en&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgj4quob-ano11qDDHu_YZV0I0EAta3HsdLU8BDn_nNaEYiRBPmAF7rsQaglx9Im-NJPUsyZtmcMaaJZUS2af8rWaOi40EwZ9vUsjh-oHr-GWVnJe1gX7ZTlPmf-chzLunPDyIO&sig=AHIEtbQ5Olb7-SgML5LAFOqLhx8BidctIA
- ^ "Scottish Church History Society". Schs.org.uk. 27 November 2001. http://www.schs.org.uk/samplepaper.htm. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ^ "History of Crieff, Comrie, Auchterarder – Perthshire. 19thC". Strathearn.com. http://www.strathearn.com/ge/history3b.htm. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
- ^ a b Alf Young, Economics Editor (28 December 1991). "At Crieff you can now take more than the waters – Herald Scotland | Sport | SPL | Aberdeen". Herald Scotland. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/at-crieff-you-can-now-take-more-than-the-waters-1.807038. Retrieved 20 April 2011.
Categories:- Hotels in Scotland
- Listed buildings in Perth and Kinross
- Category B listed buildings in Scotland
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