At McKays Hotel, Bar, and Restaurant, we are committed to preserving Scotland’s unique natural heritage, which includes protecting the iconic red squirrel.
Scotland is home to over 75% of the UK’s remaining red squirrels, but their numbers have drastically declined due to the spread of the invasive non-native grey squirrel. Grey squirrels, introduced by humans from North America in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, outcompete reds for food and habitat making it hard for them to successful breed and for their young to survive. Some grey squirrels also carry the deadly squirrelpox virus, which does not harm them but is deadly for 90-95% reds, and has devastating effects on red squirrel populations.
Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a crucial project that brings together partners, landowners, and volunteers to monitor and control grey squirrel squirrel populations across Scotland. By focusing on priority areas like Tayside, where red squirrels face significant threat from incurring grey squirrels from the south, the project is making strides in controlling the spread of grey squirrels and preventing the transmission of squirrelpox. The work done in Tayside is vital to safeguarding red squirrels, particularly in the Scottish Highlands, where healthy red-only populations still exist.
We support this cause because it aligns with our values of community involvement and environmental stewardship. By backing this project, we contribute to the ongoing efforts to halt the spread of grey squirrels and help in the recovery of red squirrel populations. Together with our guests and community, we are proud to play a part in ensuring that future generations can continue to enjoy the presence of red squirrels in Scotland’s beautiful landscapes.
McKays Supports Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels
– Help us monitor the situation in Tayside by submitting a squirrel sighting to the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels website
– Take action for red squirrels by joining the Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels trap-loan scheme
– Get involved in citizen science by joining the growing network of monitoring volunteers
– Help protect red squirrels in your local community by signing-up as a volunteer dispatcher
– Help prevent the spread of squirrelpox by cleaning your garden feeders regularly with anti-viral solution or get involved with our annual squirrelpox testing efforts
– Send any found dead red squirrels for post mortem to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Inform your closest member of SSRS staff that you have done so
Volunteering with Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels is a fantastic way to connect with nature and support your local area’s special native wildlife. Saving Scotland’s Red Squirrels volunteers are provided with the training and resources they need to participate. If you are interested in volunteering with the project in Tayside, please contact your local SSRS staff for more information.
Area contact
Susie McNaughton
Highland Line Conservation Lead
smcnaughton@scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk
Testimonial
“Great atmosphere and just all round great experience.”
R Snook
From UK
“Coming from my other half who is a bit of a steak pie expert, this was one of the best he’d had in a long time.”
Sam N
From UK
“Stayed here for one night with a group of friends. It is so central within Pitlochry, a great base to explore from. But much more than that, the staff are superb, the rooms are clean, spacious and well looked after, the food is great. They have entertainment most Fridays/Saturdays. This was a first-class experience and I would highly recommend it. Cant wait to go back.”
Shirleydoll
From UK
“Stopped here for lunch with our little dachshund and were very impressed! Great food thag was top quality and arrived quickly. Loved that the chipboard were proper chippy chips. Staff were brilliant and loved our wee dog. Very dog friendly which is always a bonus”
Sam B
From UK
“We loved our stay at McKays and the room we had (103) was superb. Staff on reception and in the bar area were attentive, friendly and working hard to please all clientele, resident or not. We will most definitely be back and to be honest the sooner the better…”
Nate Cobb
From UK
“Spent 3 nights at McKay Hotel in their Athol Cottage, was a great experience very clean and roomy, we treated it like you would just booking a Hotel room with the added advantage of having the two bedrooms, a sitting room, a small kitchen and bathroom, had our breakfasts in the Main Hotel, and a couple of dinners, food is absolutely amazing.. We will definitely use McKays again. and would without reservation recommend this Hotel”
glenelg96
From Falkirk, UK
“I was too early for my train and as it was freezing (and there were no loos open anywhere!), I decided to pop in. I ordered a scrambled Egg roll and a pot if tea. Both were fabulous as was the efficient, friendly service. Lovely ambience, lovely people, great food. Would recommend”
Jean K
From UK
“Had a lovely 1 night stay. The room was spotless and the bed very comfortable. We had dinner and breakfast at the hotel and both were excellent. The staff in the restaurant were also superb. Would definitely recommend and we will return”
Ellis M
From UK
“Had Breakfast in McKays hotel in Pitlochry,nice location on main street . Service good and staff friendly. Breakfast was exceptional local sausages and bacon delicious with perfect poached eggs ,substituted black pudding without question for extra sausage.”
771gordon1973
From Kirkcaldy, UK
“Just home from visiting McKays hotel, couldn’t praise them enough. We had an annex room 302, because we had our dog with us, large spacious room, very comfy bed. Definitely be back ”
Linda F
From Glasgow, UK
