McKays Hotel Pitlochry Steps Up to Provide Christmas Meals for Local Foodbank

Published on December 22, 2025

McKays Hotel, located in the heart of Pitlochry, is offering an invaluable service to the community this festive season by providing 100 free three-course Christmas lunches for the town’s foodbank. The hotel has teamed up with local suppliers to deliver the meals after a foodbank crisis that saw the annual Christmas meal at risk due to the closure of its former base at the Atholl Centre.

The Pitlochry Community Foodbank, operated out of the Atholl Centre, had been providing meals to local residents during the Christmas period for years. However, the Centre faced financial difficulties and was forced to close in March 2025, leaving the foodbank without a home. In response, Pitlochry Baptist Church took over the foodbank’s operations and rebranded it, ensuring that essential services continued for the community.

McKays Hotel Responds to Foodbank’s Need

The foodbank, which now operates under the new name of The Storehouse, was faced with the prospect of not being able to offer a Christmas meal to local residents this year. However, the team at McKays Hotel stepped up, volunteering their time and resources to ensure that 100 Christmas Day meals were prepared and delivered to those in need.

The hotel’s chefs, alongside suppliers, will prepare the Christmas lunches at the hotel, with some of the meals being served at the foodbank’s new location behind the Pitlochry Baptist Church. Others will be delivered as food parcels to homes in Pitlochry and Aberfeldy, ensuring that no one misses out on a festive meal this year.

The Christmas lunch initiative reflects the hotel’s longstanding commitment to supporting the local community, and the willingness of the hotel staff to dedicate their time, even as they are busy preparing for their own holiday season. The hotel’s general manager, Shane Naylor, emphasized the importance of giving back to the community and supporting those who may struggle during the holiday season.

Growing Support for the Pitlochry Foodbank

The Christmas meal at the foodbank has grown significantly in recent years. When McKays first participated in the event, they served around 20 to 30 meals. Last year, the total number of meals rose to 77. This year, with more support and involvement from businesses like McKays Hotel, the foodbank expects to serve 65 to 70 meals at the sit-down event, in addition to deliveries.

Additional Support for the Community

In addition to providing the Christmas meals, McKays Hotel is also making a financial contribution. The hotel will donate £600 worth of food in January 2026, through proceeds from its charity quiz night takings. McKays has indicated that it may continue to support the foodbank with additional events throughout the year, reflecting a long-term commitment to helping local communities in need.

The hotel’s efforts are part of a broader trend of increasing community-focused initiatives across Scotland, as cost of living pressures and a growing need for emergency food aid have led to a rise in demand for foodbanks and similar services.

Rising Demand for Foodbank Services in Scotland

According to Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest foodbank network, the number of emergency food parcel distributions in Scotland has doubled over the past decade. With the cost of living increasing and incomes not matching need, foodbanks across the country have been struggling to keep up with demand. The partnership between McKays Hotel and the Pitlochry foodbank reflects the critical role that local businesses play in supporting these essential services.

Looking Forward: A Continued Commitment to the Community

The efforts of McKays Hotel this Christmas reflect the true impact local businesses can have when they look beyond their doors and into the heart of their community. More than just a place to stay, the hotel has once again shown that it is a dependable presence in Pitlochry one that understands the value of stepping up when support is needed most.

By working closely with the local foodbank and community groups, McKays Hotel has helped ensure that no one feels forgotten during the festive season. These actions are not driven by obligation, but by a genuine commitment to care, connection, and kindness. It’s this sense of responsibility that has made the hotel an integral part of daily life in Pitlochry, earning trust not just as a hospitality provider, but as a neighbour.

Looking ahead, McKays Hotel plans to continue supporting the foodbank and other local initiatives throughout the year. By extending the spirit of giving beyond Christmas, the hotel reinforces a simple but powerful message strong communities are built when businesses and people stand together, not just during the holidays, but every day.