Remarkable four decade journey from derelict castle to Scotland's 'must visit' spa destination
Scotland’s only residential destination spa, the renowned Stobo Castle in Peeblesshire, is celebrating 40 years of pampering the nation this month.
Reborn from a derelict castle in the heart of the Borders, the luxurious five-star spa resort began as a health farm in 1978. It went on to host celebrity guests – including Dames Shirley Bassey and Joan Collins – introduce innovative therapies and treatments and constantly upgrade and evolve to offer guests ever-increasing standards of luxury, comfort and relaxation.
Now, to mark its ‘ruby’ anniversary, the family-run resort has launched its Celebration Spa Day. The limited edition experience includes a relaxing Top to Toe Face and Body Glow treatment (40 minutes), a sit down three course lunch, full use of spa facilities and optional use of fitness and aqua classes – as well as Stobo Castle’s ubiquitous complimentary slippers and use of bathrobes – all for just £99 per person. A celebratory tartan has also been created resulting in limited edition wraps for sale.
The 40th anniversary is a landmark point in 200 years of history at Stobo Castle. Commissioned in 1805 by Sir James Montgomery, 2nd Baronet, whose father was a Lord Advocate and Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer, it was a family residence for over 100 years before falling into disrepair.
Former RAF pilot instructor Robert Winyard and his wife Gaynor, a beauty therapist, took it over in the early 1970s, along with their son, Stephen. They oversaw a visionary refurbishment to open Stobo Castle Health Spa in 1978, one of the first health farms of its kind.
At the height of Seventies’ fashion, it featured just 16 bedrooms with shared avocado bathroom suites, medical checks for guests and caloriecontrolled meals. Since then, significant investment has taken place and a £5milion state-of-the-art spa extension in 2003 led to the creation of 36 treatment rooms, a fully-equipped gym, saunas, steam rooms, a stunning 25-metre ozone-treated infinity pool and outdoor hot tubs. Guests are often found sipping bubbly between rejuvenating spa and beauty treatments, exploring the outdoor Japanese water garden or dining in the woodpanelled dining room.
The addition of the stunning Cashmere Suite complete with cashmere lined walls and original works of Scottish art, cashmere-covered handmade Italian beds and an opulent bathroom with its famed £10,000 hand-carved bath for a single piece of limestone, has proved another lure. It is widely acknowledged as the most opulent guest suite in the land.
More recently, the new Ladies Restroom made the headlines as Scotland’s most luxurious loos!
Stephen Winyard said of the anniversary: “Stobo Castle’s evolution from what was basically a derelict property, has been remarkable. My mother was chairman of the Society of Health and Beauty Therapists at the time. She had a vision that it could become a health farm, at a time when such places were virtually unheard of.
“Today Stobo Castle is Scotland’s only destination spa and one of many people’s ‘must visit’ places to relax and rejuvenate. Sadly, my parents are no longer alive to see it, however its success is testimony to their incredible vision and hard work. Stobo Castle’s staff have also contributed immensely to its success, many of whom have been here almost since the beginning. In fact, we’re well on course to attain the highly coveted Investors in People Platinum Award in November.”
He added: “I’m enormously proud of its evolution to date and excited for the future. Our success to date demonstrates the popularity of escaping everyday life for a spa retreat and our drive to continue to innovate.
This success has enabled us to foster a deep sense of social responsibility, supporting in the region of 360 charities in the last couple of years, as well as many local community projects.”
In March 2018 Stobo Castle’s profits broke through the £1m barrier for the first time, reflecting a record year for the business. It represented a pretax profit rise of 33 per cent and came as the company grew revenue by eight per cent to £7.8m. Recent six figures investment has seen a range of luxury upgrades to guestrooms, the creation of a new cocktail lounge and the launch of a stunning range of own label beauty products & gifts.
