Our Guests - Big Tree Country
From little acorns, mighty oak trees grow 
What is big tree country?
Quite simply, Perthshire is. And it's no hollow boast. Here in the green heart of Scotland around 90,000 hectares of land is covered in trees - that's almost 13%. Home to some of Europe's most remarkable trees and woodland. Perthshire's beautiful specimens include the last survivor of Macbeth's Birnam Wood, the tallest hedge in the world and the single oldest living organism in Europe.
Your £1 can make a big, big difference.
At Gleneagles we think you'll agree with us, that Big Tree Country is worthy of both celebration and conservation. That's why we've added a discretionary £1 to the price of your room for each night of your stay with us.
With this money we will be able to support ongoing efforts to conserve and protect our heritage trees and woodlands for future generations. We'll also be able to contribute to many worthwhile projects such as efforts to save and restore the ancient orchards of the Carse of Gowrie, whose traditional varieties of apples and pears may well end up on the menu at Gleneagles. Of course if you prefer to opt out of this £1 donation, simply inform reception on your departure.
Threatened conifers given new home in Perthshire Big Tree Country
Perthshire Big Tree Country is to become the centre of a global rescue operation to save some of the world’s most endangered conifer species. The iCONic Project (internationally threatened conifers in our care) – launched Monday 29 September, at The Gleneagles Hotel – provides a safe haven for conifers from around the world suffering from habitat loss and the effects of climate change through global warming.
Peter Lederer, chairman, Gleneagles Hotels Ltd and Valery Posner, Senior Products Manager, BSH Home Appliances Ltd, helped plant the first (1) of five thousand trees to be planted across Perthshire Big Tree Country as part of a survival and adaptation strategy.
The project is the result of an innovative partnership involving Perth & Kinross Countryside Trust (PKCT), The Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, and Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS). An initial survey, funded by BSH Home Appliances Ltd, matched key conifer species to appropriate growing sites and Perthshire Big Tree Country provided an excellent variety of growing conditions for a range of trees.
Councillor Bob Ellis, PKCT Chairman said: “Here in Big Tree Country we have a proud history of introducing conifers thanks to the bravery and vision of local plant hunters David Douglas of Scone and Archibald Menzies from Weem. Indeed it was Menzies who introduced the monkey puzzle tree, one of the trees planted today and now under threat in its native Chile.
“The project gives us a fantastic opportunity to carry on the tradition of plant hunting through the planned international seed collecting expeditions in the first, third and fifth years of the project. This not only allows us help to shape the Perthshire countryside of the future, but also to play our part in preserving some of the iconic trees under threat throughout the world.”
The main phase of the iCONic project is scheduled to take five years, with follow up recording and monitoring over 10 years. Money raised through a voluntary opt-out levy, added to the final bill of guests from Gleneagles, will help to fund this and other projects throughout Big Tree Country.
The trees at Gleneagles will be looked after by head gardener, Lawrence Gorlas as part of his ongoing duties to maintain the grounds.