Murrayshall Country Estate: A Family Favourite Revisited

The peace and beauty of Perthshire has always been a favourite of mine. Known as “Big Tree Country”, this area in central Scotland is famous for its diverse landscapes, from highland mountains and glens to rolling lowland hills, bisected by the River Tay. It's a major outdoor destination offering walking, cycling, wildlife, and adventure sports, alongside historic sites. The region blends beautiful highland scenery with accessible towns like Perth, Pitlochry and Dunkeld, serving as a gateway to the Highlands.

Unlike Scottish golf destinations such as St Andrews, Ayrshire and East Lothian, Perthshire has never really been widely known as a golfing playground, the exception of course being the world famous and renowned Gleneagles Hotel ( approximately 30 mins drive ). However don’t be fooled, Perthshire boasts some wonderful venues in some of the most idyllic areas in the country. None more so than the Murrayshall Country Estate. Although only 10 minutes from the town of Perth, it sits secluded in the perfect hideaway surrounded by rolling hills and ancient woodland.

I have a real personal attachment to Murrayshall which started from a very young age. Growing up in Irvine Ayrshire as a young boy, it was always a huge treat when mum and dad would take my brother John and I away for a few days golf staying at Murrayshall. Back then it seemed such an adventure and it really did feel at that age you were off on a journey to a different world. My poor sister Julie ( the only non-golfer in the family ), was left at home to watch the pet dog Midge!! She never lets me forget it to this day, about all the family golf trips we had when she was stuck back in Ayrshire. Sorry sis!! It became an annual trip to Perthshire and one that lasted for quite a few years.

Obviously through the years, many things have changed since those early days and although it was always still a wonderful place to stay and play, it wasn’t of the same luxury and standard it is now. There was only one course back then as well, the main Murrayshall Championship Course. There’s now the additional Lynedoch course, a beautiful little test of golf and very unique being only 10 holes. Ideal for juniors and beginners, and also for those residents wanting a quick last few holes before sunset and retiring to the hotel for early evening drinks and food.

As well as fantastic memories of family holidays at Murrayshall, it was also the scene of my first big win as a PGA Professional when I won the 1994 72 hole Scottish PGA Under 25’s Championship. It was a huge win for me and really kick started my professional career playing in Scotland. I couldn’t do anything wrong during that event and from memory shot around 20 under par for the 4 rounds, to win by 2 or 3 from Dean Robertson who went on to have a fantastic few years with the big boys on The European Tour. Happy memories indeed, and it was great to have hair back then as well !!

Therefore I was absolutely delighted to do my latest “Taity Travel Blog” from Murrayshall when we stayed just recently before Christmas. Ideally it would have been better to stay in the summer months, but due to my busy schedule and the hotel being very busy in peak months it was really the only time we could manage. Hardly a hardship however!!

As well as Perthshire’s “best kept secret”, the estate offers 62 rooms / suites and secluded pods which were a recent addition in 2025. Also on offer is the bespoke wellness treatments at the Gate Lodge, a perfect way to relax before unwinding in the Barossa Bar or Cairns Bar & Restaurant. The hotel is particularly proud of their Eolas AA Rosette-awarded Restaurant with an AA Notable Wine List.

Partner Elaine and I were booked in for a Sunday to Monday visit which was ideal for two reasons…. Golfbreaks do a popular “Sunday Driver” with Murrayshall which is an overnight stay including unlimited golf, so this allowed me to experience what our Golfbreaks customers also experience. Second reason was Elaine’s mum Iris was celebrating her 85^th birthday and as her parents live in Perth, we invited them for afternoon lunch in the aforementioned Eolas Restaurant on the Sunday afternoon. Our birthday Sunday lunch was fantastic with a mix of fresh fish and meat between us all, presented beautifully. The restaurant was busy with a lovely ambience and atmosphere, and the venue is a popular lunch venue, particularly on a Sunday. We had a most enjoyable catch up before saying goodbye to Iris and Ian as they headed back home, and it was time for us to check in.

I’ve been lucky enough to stay at Murrayshall multiple times over the years and it’s been fantastic to watch the changes and improvements over that time. However on this occasion, our overnight accommodation was going to be a stay with a slight difference! I have known the experienced General Manager Gary Silcock for a very long time. Gary is a fellow PGA Professional, but like me in my past career went down the Director of Golf / General Manager route. As well as the day to day commitments a GM has, he is also overseeing a massive investment programme for Murrayshall which will take the estate to a completely new level in the foreseeable future.

Part of this future investment includes a collection of luxury pods which actually arrived in the Autumn of 2025, and Gary was keen for Elaine and I to experience the pods as part of my visit. Having never stayed in a pod before, I was interested as well as intrigued, and I wasn’t disappointed. The pods are beautiful and of a very high standard. They are also fun to stay in and I’d say are probably targeted at a slighter younger audience, so goodness knows why Gary wanted Elaine and I staying in them!! They are cosy but enough room to store clothes, shower and have all the amenities you would expect in a top quality hotel bedroom. Not enough room for golf equipment however, and I’d recommend you keep the clubs in the car or give them to hotel concierge who will safely look after them for you. We had a one bedroom pod but they also offer a 2 bedroom which can sleep up to 6. Each pod offers full access to the estate including breakfast, and some of the pods even boast a hot-tub!

After a bit of relaxation and watching TV in the pod, we headed out for a wee walk before dinner which was booked for 7.30pm. I always really enjoy strolling around the grounds at Murrayshall. It’s quiet walking through the estate and the woodland, and on a nice clear day you can enjoy some beautiful views over the Perthshire countryside. Although I don’t have one myself, I’m a massive dog lover and I absolutely love the wee touches towards our four legged friends. You have a “doggy library”, which is a selection of sticks that your pooch can choose from and also a “doggy bar”, normally just a couple of bowls of water but so lovely all the same. So I’m sure you can imagine, the hotel and estate is massively “dog friendly” and good on them! The best wee animals on the planet!

Before dinner we headed to Cairns bar, a relaxed food and beverage offering where most of the golfers assemble for a well-earned refreshment after their round. A full menu is available that has something for everyone, the most popular dishes being burgers, curries and fish and chips. Once a month they host a hugely popular curry night and if possible try and tie this in with your visit. Definitely worth it! There’s also a large TV in the Cairns lounge bar area which shows all main sports too.

Like lunch, dinner was superb back in Eolas accompanied by an extensive array of excellent wines to choose from. I had the confit of duck pate to begin with, and the pate came in the shape of a ………… yep, duck! Brilliant. That was followed by the lamb dish and both were superb. Elaine loved the haggis, neeps tatties starter and then the delicious melt in the mouth cod for a main. Our dessert choice was slightly boring considering what was on offer, as we shared a vanilla ice cream!

After two sumptuous meals, a walk in the fresh air, some beers and wine it was time to retire for the evening but not before a night cap in the hotel’s Barossa Bar, the perfect place for pre or post-dinner drinks. Being a miserable November night it was absolutely ideal to sit with the roaring fire on! Everything was going swimmingly well until Elaine noticed some games in the corner of the bar and suggested a wee challenge at a couple of them. “No probs”, I thought, “beat her at a few games and then off to bed happy”. I lost 8-1 at Connect 4, and even still I feel the pain!! The smugness as she sipped her white wine still haunts me. Goodnight Taity!

We had a fairly early start in the morning as we had a busy day ahead. We still had to play some golf, and then head to Edinburgh Airport in the afternoon to make the journey to Spain where we were hosting 12 women golfers on a Golfbreaks trip to La Quinta near Marbella. The day couldn’t begin however without the wonderful Murrayshall full Scottish buffet breakfast. A great selection of hot and cold food, cereal, fruit and juices. Our wee table in the restaurant was perfect at the window looking over the 18^th green. As I looked out at the rain and grey skies though, I found my mind starting to wander towards the blue skies and sunshine of Sunny Spain!

Breakfast was fab and we headed out to the course for some fresh air, a walk, and a wee hit of the ball. I’ve played Murrayshall probably a hundred times and I always love playing there. In the last few years when I’ve had the pleasure, I can honestly say they have some of the best conditioned greens in the country during the height of the season. The overall presentation of the course and attention to detail is always first class. The course is generous in that it offers quite a few birdie chances at the par 5’s and a couple of par 4’s for the better golfer. However position off the tee on many of the holes is crucial and you can easily get caught out. The 5 par 3’s are always a great test, and if you score level par for those 5 holes then you are in great shape. Even the 4^th hole which I normally only hit a wedge or 9 iron to, is the narrowest of greens with a large pond in front. Miss this green anywhere and you will be working hard to make your par.

Given the amount of overnight rain and the fact it was winter, I was surprised at how well the course had held up. Fairways had drained really well and the greens were still running true, albeit obviously much slower than the summer months when they are lightning fast. We managed around 8 or 9 holes, by this time the weather had cleared up and it ended up a beautiful Perthshire morning with a rainbow in toe. As well as hosting professional and top amateur events over the years, I always think that Murrayshall is a perfect stay and play venue for couples / groups, and also society / corporate golf days. It really does tick all the boxes for all levels of golfers. The course is fun, challenging and a little quirky in places. Overall, a lovely and enjoyable place to play golf in beautiful tranquil countryside.

I always enjoy teeing it up in the annual Murrayshall PGA Pro Am which takes place every September. A fab event which sees some of the best Scottish pros team up with 3 amateurs in a shotgun start with breakfast and lunch included. In recent years the weather has always been superb, which obviously just adds to a great day. They make it fun too. After the 11^th hole, there is the usual “axe throwing” contest for each team which is a great laugh. We’ve never even come close to winning that, due to always getting a fit of the giggles!! If you fancy putting a team in, let me know and I’ll happily put you in touch with the right people. A brilliant and fun day.

As well as the axe throwing and SPA, Murrayshall offers so much more with a range of activities. E-bikes and mountain bikes are a popular choice to roam the 365 acre estate and also have two walking maps to meander your way through the woodlands. Archery and a quad bike trek are also popular with residents. As well as the 28 holes, you can warm up on an excellent driving range or tune up your game with one of the on site professionals. Away from the estate, you can enjoy a visit to beautiful Scone Palace or have a day at the races at the popular Perth Racecourse. Murrayshall is also a fantastic wedding venue. You can see why “brides to be” fall in love with the place, and want their special day in special Perthshire, in a special place.

I’m personally really excited for the future of Murrayshall and the plans they have. Without giving too much away, the investment and the development are enormous. If it isn’t already, it will undoubtedly become a “must visit”, for golfers and non-golfers alike. No stone will be left unturned and work is already starting in early 2026 with the investment in a one million pound kitchen. So expect all that wonderful food to be even better!!

I’m always left with more than a tinge of sadness when at Murrayshall. As mentioned earlier, so many happy memories with my family there over the decades. Big brother and best friend John, continued our love for the place as we still regularly went for a wee game until we unexpectedly and tragically lost the big man in 2021. I’m so grateful for the time and memories we had there, and always think of those beautiful days on the course with him.

Golfbreaks have some fantastic deals with Murrayshall throughout the year and I’d be delighted to help you plan your trip to Perthshire’s “best kept secret”. The Sunday Driver I mentioned earlier is just one of the many packages to choose from.

We left the estate after a wonderful, enjoyable and chilled out 24 hours (despite the Connect 4 experience), and now only San Miguel and sunshine was on one’s mind!

Check out all our offers at www.golfbreaks.com

Preferred golf clothing brands:

Glenmuir - www.glenmuir.com  Sunderland of Scotland -www.glenmuir.com/Sunderland