The Church Tower

A former kirk turned hideaway of design devotion, The Church Tower in Crieff is a striking collision of Scottish heritage and contemporary cool. With its soaring tower and stone façade etched with time, this private-hire historic home near the Perthshire hills rewrites Highland living with architectural swagger and unbuttoned luxury.

Originally built in 1838 as a chapel of ease – a place of worship designed to bring the parish church closer to the people – the building later became the St Ninian’s Centre, a spiritual retreat and conference space under the Church of Scotland. Its walls carried sermons, stories, and the hush of contemplation for decades – until silence took over, and the building was abandoned to time. Then, in 2023, the doors reopened – not to hymns, but to a new kind of reverence: one shaped by bold design, artistic reawakening and heritage reimagined.

Inside, three en suite bedrooms – two doubles and one that flips between twins or a couple’s snug – are meticulously detailed, each space balancing modernity with subtle nods to ecclesiastical drama. Light spills through arched windows, timber beams crown airy rooms and curated design accents dial in warmth, intimacy and a hint of the unexpected.

Set on the edge of Crieff – known as the Gateway to the Highlands – The Church Tower makes an iconic base for exploring Scotland’s wild soul. Just an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow, it’s perfectly placed for distillery trails, loch dips, rugged hikes, and foraging feasts. Guests are guided with tailored itineraries to unlock the full flavour of the region – whether that’s Highland safaris, ancient castles, or quietly sublime views across the Trossachs.

This is Highland heritage reworked – a bold sanctuary for aesthetes, romantics, and those chasing something a little less ordinary.

Dun Aluinn has been a true labour of love restoring the once neglected house into the modern private holiday home it is today – fit for purpose filled with people. It was bought by John Burke and his wife Susie Whyte in 2017 who have painstakingly renovated and refurbished the house. Susie is also the architect and designer behind the project. 

John and Susie have a passion for renovating and refurbishing properties. John is Managing Director of award-winning builders Corryard, who specialise in bringing old properties back to life. Susie is an architect with a keen eye for the detail required for a renovation of this scale and standard.