ESCAPE SAORSA 1875

Cool design and a laidback vibe put this luxe, all-vegan Pitlochry hotel ahead of the curve

- Miriam Methuen-Jones

Wandering through Pitlochry always gives me a holiday feeling. Even today, in early February, the sun is peeking out from behind the clouds and the tables outside the many tearooms and bars are filling up. It seems gentle, like proper village life. So I am unprepared, as I climb the hill towards Saorsa 1875, for what I find at my destination.

Atop this incline, a grand Victorian house, its smart red trim visible through the trees, looms over the countryside. As I get closer, I spot a sign reading ‘doggie walks’ pointing into the woodland, a purple yurt at the side of the property, and pairs of wellies neatly lined up in the porch. Once through the door, it is immediately clear that someone here has a great eye for interior design. A neon sign is lit up above the welcome desk, and all around is moody wooden panelling creating a warm, inviting space. There’s the evocative scent of wood smoke coming from the lounge fire, and guests are milling about in their socks. It feels like home.