History of Fisher's Hotel

Fisher’s Hotel, nestled in the heart of Pitlochry, has a rich history that stretches back long before the grand establishment we know today. It is believed that the hotel began as a modest house, with a small hostelry on the site by 1839. Over the years, it expanded through numerous extensions, eventually becoming the renowned Fisher’s Hotel. The earliest Ordinance Survey map of Pitlochry, surveyed in 1863, already marks it as Fisher’s Hotel.

The Early Years: Pitlochry Inn and Duncan Steward

The history of the hotel is intertwined with the Steward family. In the 1841 census, Duncan Steward is listed as the Innkeeper of Pitlochry Inn, residing there with his wife Mary, their seven children, and four servants. The inn also housed three Excise Officers and a lodger, highlighting its role as a hub of activity. By 1851, Duncan had expanded his responsibilities, being recorded as both a farmer and Innkeeper on the Atholl Turnpike. The establishment continued to grow, with Duncan managing a larger team of six servants and a bustling inn that served as a focal point for travellers in the area.

Donald Fisher: A New Era Begins

Donald Fisher, whose family had deep roots in the innkeeping trade, took over the hotel in the mid to late 1800s. His first appearance in official records was in 1855, when he was noted as the tenant of both the Farm of Tombane and the Inn and Farm at Pitlochry. It is believed that he acquired the old posting inn in 1853, which was already a century old. Fisher was instrumental in transforming the inn into a grand hotel, adding new buildings and creating beautiful gardens from an old mill dam, which included croquet and putting greens and a tennis court over the years.

Expansion and Prominence

Under Donald Fisher’s stewardship, the hotel flourished. By 1861, Fisher was recorded as a housekeeper and farmer, managing 130 acres and employing several servants. The hotel itself was noted to have 34 rooms with windows. The arrival of the railway in 1863 further cemented Fisher’s Hotel as a premier destination, offering easy access to travellers and a picturesque walkway through its gardens to the station.

In 1897, the construction of a new West wing marked a significant expansion of the hotel, which by 1881, had nearly tripled in size to 97 rooms. The gardens, renowned throughout Europe, became a point of pride for Donald Fisher. A popular story suggests that Fisher extended the hotel in response to the construction of Alba Place, which obstructed his view of Ben-y-Vrackie, thereby ensuring that his hotel gardens retained their prominence.

A Legacy of Hospitality

Throughout its history, Fisher’s Hotel has hosted numerous notable guests. Prime Minister William Gladstone and his family stayed in 1892, and their visit is commemorated in Gladstone’s Room, now home to the Heritage Centre. Other illustrious visitors include the industrialist Andrew Carnegie, the poet William Wordsworth, and the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, who found inspiration while staying at the hotel in 1881.

The 20th Century and Beyond

After Donald Fisher’s retirement in the early 1900s, the Butter family of Faskally, who still owned the hotel, continued to manage it until 1910 when the hotel was sold and a new hotel company was formed. This new chapter saw further expansions, including the addition of a new wing in the garden grounds during the 1970s. The hotel continued to thrive, maintaining its reputation as one of Scotland’s premier destinations.

Today, Fisher’s Hotel stands as a testament to the vision and dedication of those who nurtured it over the centuries. From its humble beginnings as a small inn, it has grown into a landmark of Pitlochry, cherished by locals and visitors alike for its rich history, beautiful gardens, and warm hospitality.