Councillors have unanimously approved plans to restore and transform a Perthshire quarry site into a “first-of-its-kind” dog ranch. The gun dog training facility will include a veterinary practice, a dog hotel, and training for young people interested in a career in dogs. A separate planning application to cease quarrying activity at the site was also approved at the same meeting on Wednesday, July 8.
From Quarry to Canine Hub
Former soldier turned dog trainer Charlie Thorburn told councillors his business Mordor Dogs had outgrown its current site at the family home at Craighead Farm after 20 successful years. “We have 13 staff. We have dogs going to 37 countries and do government contracts for the likes of Indonesia, training drug detection dogs and we’ve basically run out of space,” he said. “Moving to Craigrossie is a huge opportunity potentially for us to grow what we currently do and also diversify into other dog-related businesses that we’ve had a lot of experience in.”
He added: “It’s the first of its kind, certainly in Europe, and I travel to America a lot with dogs and I haven’t even found anything over there so I’m hoping that Perthshire can be at the start of a new concept.”
Comprehensive Facility Plans
Mordor Gundogs submitted plans to Perth and Kinross Council to transform the quarry site, currently being used for quarrying sand and gravel, into a gun dog training centre with kennels, a veterinary practice, reception building, indoor arena, maintenance buildings, staff and student accommodation. Mr Thorburn said: “Having all of that in-house, on site will mean we can give second-to-none care for dogs of all stages and training from all over the world.”
The applicant, who clearly loves his job and claimed to “just mess about with dogs for a living”, insisted “it won’t be a giant dog park”. He pledged to do lots of planting, having already planted around 10,000 trees and 4000m of hedging at his current site.
Services for the Community
Mr Thorburn added: “The boarding kennel and vet practice will be open to the general public. The concept came about because I go to the vet quite a lot - because I have a lot of dogs - but we want to provide a service to the wider community and it’s something that’s needed in the area.”
He described the kennels as being like a Premier Inn for dogs, while there will also be a dog hotel aimed at the “pampered pooch that will be super well looked after”. “Basically, our boarding kennels will be built to be better than any other kennel but will still essentially be a Premier Inn - you know clean, tidy, does the job but nothing too fancy but a good place where you know your dog’s well looked after. The dog hotel is more a home-from-home boarding experience for dogs,” he said.
Council Support and Quarry Restoration
Moving the plans for approval, Liberal Democrat councillor Claire McLaren said: “This application represents a strong rural business that is growing and is consequently dealing with the quarry site. It’s a win-win for us.” It was seconded by Strathallan ward Conservative councillor Keith Allan who welcomed the proposal. The plans were unanimously approved.
Earlier in the meeting, councillors unanimously approved an accelerated restoration plan for Craigrossie Quarry from 2033 to 2027 and the cessation of mineral extraction. The revised plan was submitted by Mr Lockett but the planning report explained the site was under contract to Mr Thorburn of Mordor Gundogs, “who intends to purchase the entire quarry site subject to obtaining planning permission”. Councillors unanimously approved both.
