Our Story

Colonel John Bain Maclean, the founder of Maclean's magazine, The Financial Post and Maclean-Hunter publishers, was born and raised in the small village of Crieff, Ontario, where his father was the minister at Knox Presbyterian Church. After establishing a successful career in Toronto, he returned to Crieff in 1916 to visit and found the churchyard in disrepair. He then led efforts to restore both the grounds and the cemetery with the help of the Olmstead Brothers landscape architectural firm.

In recognition of his service, the church gave Col. Maclean the old manse and an acre of land, which became his country home. He bought adjacent farmland (300 acres) and created an industrious farm with a dairy herd, pigs, grain fields, orchards and about 100 acres of reforested land.  His estate, known as Crieff Hills Farm, was famous for its beautiful landscape and gardens.

When Col. Maclean died in 1950 he left 250 acres of the farm and its buildings to the Presbyterian Church in Canada, along with money invested to maintain the properties “...as a model and example to other communities." In the mid 1970’s the denomination began to develop the land as a retreat facility, gradually adding buildings as demand increased.

Today, Crieff Hills is open all year long, welcoming individuals and groups of up to a hundred people. This quiet place has an important mission in today’s busy world, providing a warm welcome and an opportunity for people from all walks of life to connect with the Divine and find renewal.