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Appendix 1 - Heiton Brochure

Perth and Kinross Council · 10 December 2025
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Unparalleled Luxury

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Perth
Perth, located in central Scotland on the banks of the River
Tay, is a city rich in heritage and natural beauty. Its position
near the Highland Boundary Fault offers a striking contrast
between the rugged Highlands and the fertile Lowlands,
shaping both its landscape and history. Once a royal
centre, Perth retains a strong cultural identity, reflected in
its museums, galleries, and annual events such as the Perth
Festival of the Arts.
The city’s compact centre blends historic architecture with
modern amenities, making it easy to explore. Attractions
include Scone Palace, the Perth Concert Hall, and riverside
walks that highlight the Tay’s ecological significance. Perth’s
cultural life is supported by a vibrant community and a
commitment to preserving its natural and historical assets,
offering visitors and residents a balanced mix of tradition
and contemporary living.

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1696
Nestled at the meeting point of High Street and Tay Street in
the heart of Perth, the building at 1-5 High Street embodies
civic history, architectural heritage, and community
significance. As it prepares to welcome a new chapter in its
life as a boutique hotel, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the
many roles this landmark has played in the life of the city.
The site itself has long been a cornerstone of Perth’s civic
landscape. Before the current structure was built, it was
home to the Old Chapel of Our Lady, a religious institution
that served the community in earlier centuries. Later, in 1696,
the old city chambers were constructed here, marking the
site as a centre of municipal governance. These chambers
stood for nearly two centuries before the city commissioned
a new civic building that would reflect the aspirations of a
growing and modernising Perth.

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1877
The current building was constructed between 1877 and
1879, with an extension added in 1895-1896 following a fire
that damaged much of the original structure. It was designed
by renowned local architects Andrew Heiton and Andrew
Granger Heiton, a father-and-son duo celebrated for their
contributions to Scottish Gothic Revival architecture.
The Heitons’ design for the Municipal Buildings, as they
were known, features an asymmetrical façade with six bays
facing High Street, a gabled doorway, and a distinctive turret
that draws inspiration from the chapel tower at St Mary’s
Monastery in nearby Kinnoull.
Inside, the building boasts elegant architectural details,
including vaulted ceilings and timber panelling in the former
Council Chambers and Justice of the Peace courtroom.
These features speak to the building’s original purpose: to
house the city’s administrative functions in a space that was
both dignified and welcoming.
The building’s importance is further underscored by
its  Category B listing, which recognises its architectural
and historical value. It contains five stained-glass windows,
each with its own story: three depict scenes from Sir Walter
Scott’s The Fair Maid of Perth, one honours Queen Victoria
and Prince Albert, and another commemorates Robert the
Bruce’s storming of Perth’s walls in 1312.

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today
For over a century, 1–5 High Street served as the
headquarters of Perth Royal Burgh Council, and later Perth
and Kinross District Council. It was a place where decisions
were made, laws upheld, and civic life organised. The
building also housed the Registrar’s Office, making it a site
of personal milestones for many Perth residents, from births
and marriages to civil ceremonies.
The building’s location, occupying arguably one of the
most prominent addresses in Perth, is as significant
as its architecture. High Street is one of Perth’s oldest
thoroughfares, dating back to at least the 15th century. It has
long been the city’s commercial and social heart, connecting
the River Tay to the west end of town. The corner of High
Street and Tay Street, where 1–5 High Street stands, offers
views of the river and easy access to the city’s vibrant
pedestrianised centre.
Beyond the hotel, Perth awaits. The hotel is located close
to a range of amenities such as restaurants, bars, cafés,
and gyms, with whom the hotel will seek to arrange special
offers and discounts for its guests.  Known as the “Gateway
to the Highlands,” the city offers riverside walks, cultural
attractions, and easy access to Highland Perthshire.

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the architect
Andrew Heiton (1823–1894) was a prominent Scottish
architect whose work helped shape the architectural
identity of 19th-century Perth and beyond. Born in Inchture,
Perthshire, in 1823, he was the son of Andrew Heiton Sr.,
also an architect. He trained under his father before working
with leading Edinburgh architects William Burn and David
Bryce, both influential figures in the Scottish Gothic Revival
movement.
Returning to Perth in the mid-1840s, Heiton joined his
father’s practice and later succeeded him as City Architect
of Perth in 1858. He held this role for decades, overseeing
civic projects that blended functionality with architectural
grace. Heiton’s work is characterised by a blend of Scottish
Baronial,  Gothic Revival, and  Victorian civic architecture.
His buildings often feature turrets, crow-stepped gables,
decorative stonework such as quatrefoils and cinquefoils,
and stained glass - elements that evoke tradition while
serving modern civic needs.  The decorative elements can
be seen in heraldry.
He was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British
Architects (FRIBA) in 1879, a recognition of his professional
stature.
Andrew Heiton’s work left a lasting imprint on Perth’s built
environment. His buildings are not only functional but
also deeply expressive of Scottish identity and civic pride.
Many of his designs remain in use today, repurposed as
hotels, offices, and cultural venues, continuing to serve the
communities they were built for.
After his death in 1894, his practice was taken over by his
nephew, Andrew Granger Heiton, who continued the family
legacy under the name Heiton Granger.

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Notable Works
Perth Railway Station (1854 extension): A key transport hub
with elegant civic detailing.
Stirling Railway Station (1848): A fine example of early railway
architecture.
Dunkeld and Birnam Station  (1856): A Category A listed
building, praised for its picturesque design and importance
to Highland tourism
St Mary’s Monastery, Kinnoull  (1868): A landmark of
ecclesiastical architecture.
Station Hotel, Perth  (1885): A grand hotel opposite the
railway station, designed with contrasting sandstone and
turreted features.
Fonab Castle, Pitlochry  (1892): A baronial-style country
house now operating as a luxury hotel.
Victoria Buildings, Perth  (1872): A commercial block that
remains part of the city’s streetscape.
Greig Institute, Leven  (1872): A civic building serving
educational and cultural purposes.
He also designed Craigievar and Darnick, a double villa
on Kinnoull Terrace in Perth, which he used as his own
residence, and as a personal expression of his architectural
ideals.
Heiton’s portfolio includes a wide range of public,
religious, and residential buildings across Scotland:

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the heitoN
Set within the beautifully restored former council chambers
at  1–5 High Street, The Heiton, named for its noted
architects, offers guests a unique blend of heritage, comfort,
and contemporary design in the heart of Perth.
The proposed transformation is sensitive to the building’s
heritage. Plans include restoring key architectural features,
such as the timber panelling and vaulted ceilings, and
opening up the former Council Chambers and courtroom
to the public. The vision is to create a 74-suite hotel with a
luxurious lounge and unique events spaces, breathing new
life into this historic structure while preserving its character.
As the building transitions into a new role within Perth’s
hospitality landscape, it offers guests more than just a place
to stay: it offers a chance to connect with the city’s history
in a meaningful way. Whether admiring the stained glass,
socialising in the former courtroom, or simply enjoying the
view from the turret, visitors will be immersed in a space that
has shaped - and been shaped by - generations of Perth
residents.
From the moment you step through its gabled entrance,
you’ll be surrounded by vaulted ceilings, original timber
panelling, and stained-glass windows that tell stories of
Perth’s rich history, all harmoniously blended with the latest
comforts and technology.  Its sensitive conversion will
retain the nuance of its former uses, from the grandeur of
the courtroom to the atmospheric former holding cells,
preserving its original charm alongside discreet technology
and clever space planning.

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Welcome to
The suites are each designed to offer a restful retreat with
many offering views of the River Tay or the bustling High
Street, and each including a micro kitchen enabling ultimate
flexibility. The hotel will also offer versatile event spaces,
like the former court rooms, which are perfect for intimate
gatherings, celebrations, or business meetings.  The hotel
team will run historian-hosted tours of the former court
spaces, so the community will be able to enjoy them.
Whether you’re visiting for leisure, business, or a special
occasion, The Heiton invites you to experience the warmth
of Scottish hospitality in a setting where history and modern
comfort meet. It’s more than a place to stay: it’s a place to
connect, reflect, and enjoy the best of Perth.

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rogue city hotels
Rogue City Hotel Group brings an advanced concept
to the hospitality sector by combining affordable luxury
accommodation with creative and guest-centric design. We
deliver more than just a bed in a soulless room.  Our ‘best
of both worlds’ concept surpasses guest expectations by
refining the bedroom facilities, leveraging local amenities,
and offering service excellence.
Essentially, less is more. Reducing or removing loss
leaders and non-core services from the offering enables
focused investment in more critical areas, such as total
number of rooms, clever design, quality fixtures and fittings,
superior soft furnishings, increased use of technology.
The introduction of discreet micro kitchens in-room adds
exceptional value to the asset without compromising on
guest comforts and convenience.
We focus on delivering excellent standards of
accommodation and the superior yet uncomplicated service
that guests expect in a high-end boutique hotel. We have
special arrangements with nearby restaurants, cafés, gyms
and more, with negotiated discounts for our guests, adding
unique value and authentic experiences to their stay. Our
hotels are not seen as competition: they offer choice, and
create symbiotic relationships with local businesses and
suppliers.
How is this achievable? The answer can be found in the
creative minds, thought capital and proven industry success
of its founders: construction industry know-how, dedicated
hospitality sector specialists and a mastery of e-commerce.

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Unparalleled Luxury
50 HAVELOCK TERRACE, NINE ELMS, LONDON SW8 4AL
T: +44 (0)20 7401 8777 | W: THEHEITON.COM
A r o g u e c i t y h o t e l