Pine Trees Hotel, Pitlochry
The Pine Trees Hotel is a former Victorian mansion house surrounded by 10 acres of garden and woodland on the edge of Pitlochry.
It is a country house hotel that combines luxurious accommodation with individual service and attention. It has operated under the current owners, Mr and Mrs Kerr, for around 4 years and has been smoke free since January 2005.
Their decision to go smoke free was motivated by a desire to move away from a smoky environment and acknowledgement from press reports that a ban on smoking in enclosed public places was likely to come into force in Scotland in 2006. The owners took the view that, with a Scotland-wide ban coming anyway, they would go smoke free sooner rather than later.
Staff and customers have all been very positive about the change. None of the 10 or so hotel staff, and very few guests smoke.
Mr and Mrs Kerr advise intending guests about the smoke-free policy when they book, either by telephone or email. There are small notices in rooms and mention is made of the policy on registration cards, but advice is kept low key.
When asked what advice he would give to anyone considering introducing a similar smoke free policy, Mr Kerr advises them to go for it. He stresses that it hasn’t created any problems for the Pine Trees Hotel and it has provided both guests and staff with clean, fresh air and an improved environment.
Mr Kerr says:
“Trying to please everyone doesn’t work. You are better to just do it. We have had no problems and are pleased that we introduced the smoke-free policy.”