In 1857, Dr Meikle, a recent medical graduate from the
University of Edinburgh, observed Priessnitz's work and whilst being personally disparaging of him for his non-medical background, took back some of his principles for his new
hydropathic establishment in
Aberdeen, Scotland. When Priessnitz came to Britain on a visit promoted by the publications of
Captain R. T. Claridge, a prominent booster of his methods,
The Lancet was particularly scathing about his work, describing him as a
charlatan and a
fraud. However,
Dr James Manby Gully, also an Edinburgh medical graduate, picked up on the "water cure", his most famous patient being
Charles Darwin, who attended Gully's establishment in
Malvern,
Worcestershire. In 1861 Thomas bought the Lochhead Hydropathic Hotel in the Westburn district of
Aberdeen which had been founded in 1851 by Rev Alexander Munro but bought by his late brother, Dr William Meikle soon thereafter. Thomas Meikle immediately added a new wing of
Turkish Baths. However in 1868 he decided to move to Crieff. Importantly no alcohol was sold in the hotel (this remained in place until 1994). Built in 1868 during the second wave of such establishments in the UK in the later part of the 19th century, Crieff Hydro utilised the
Caledonian Railway to bring a prosperous, sober clientele from the lowlands of Scotland to take the cure in upmarket conditions. The architect of the original
Scots-Jacobean style building, built at a cost of £30,000, was Robert Ewan, but the original building was extended in the later heyday of hydropathic spas in 1893–94. It was successful from the start and, from a stable of 20 such establishments across Scotland at the peak, is one of only two left, the other being
Peebles Hydro in
Peebles in similar upland surroundings. Priessnitz considered mountain scenery an essential background to his
Nature Cure. By 1874, as medical superintendent, Dr Meikle was drawing a salary of £500
per annum, receiving dividends on his investment at the maximum of 7% and getting an extraordinary £279 as an
ex gratia payment. It was rather self-contained, farming its own estate until recently, and possessing its own
hydroelectricity station, fed from Loch Turret until 1968, (now part of the seven-station
Breadalbane hydroelectric scheme) and its own laundry. The company still has only 160 shareholders. During the
Second World War, the government took over the Hydro, and
Free Polish forces were billeted there, to the chagrin of some of the residents of the town, who felt scarce food supplies were being diverted to the Poles' exclusive use. It has been a Category B
listed building since 1971. with a fine of one
penny being levied for those who missed grace before meals. It still has a large room, used for worship services, with a full-size organ. The establishment was
teetotal until 1994 when the first bar was placed within the Highlandman Room - Today the hotel has several bars including The Meikle, The Hub and The Brasserie that have adjoining eateries. It is run by the great, great, great, grand nephew of the original founder and medical superintendent. It became a favourite destination for
alcoholics to dry-out. It offered and continues to offer cheap rates for
Church of Scotland ministers out of season, though they are not required now to lead daily prayers. Smoking was also disapproved of, though not banned, a small and obscure room being set aside for smokers' use. ==Today==