It's A Secret World: February 2015

Stobo Castle Health Spa

There’s something incredibly magical about a Scottish Castle. Perched on a hill amongst green grounds, shaded by trees and set around a picturesque loch; Stobo Castle effortlessly sets the scene for an extraordinary experience.

The luxurious interiors are carefully designed to encourage guests to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of relaxation. Unobtrusive and calm, the staff are elegantly trained to make your stay as memorable as possible. Just as importantly though, there’s endless opportunity for comfortable alone-time should you time out.

At Stobo, the very high standards of operations allows guests to feel that their visit is both memorable and effortlessly revitalising. Both day visitors and residents enjoy the very best of spa technology, nestled deep in the beautiful Scottish countryside.

Stobo Castle is located at Stobo in the Scottish Borders in the county of Peeblesshire. The House is protected as a category A listed building while the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland; the national listing of significant parks and gardens. The building of the castle began in 1805 and was completed in 1811.

All bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms, and when it comes to meal-times, guests can enjoy a well-balanced menu of fresh, wholesome meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in all residential packages and vegetarian options are available.

SPA BREAK OPTIONS AND TARIFFS

Pure Spa Break – Includes two nights’ accommodation, one Express Facial (25 mins) and a choice of: one Full Body Massage (55 mins) or one Jessica Prescriptive Manicure Deluxe (55 mins) or one Luxury Mud Wrap (55 mins).From £320pp
Revitalising Break – No treatments included, you can choose from the wide range of individual treatments. From £125pp per night
Afternoon Tea – Includes a selection of sandwiches, crackers with toppings, handmade cakes and scones, strawberries and cream. £19.95pp.
Morning Chill Out – Includes unlimited use of the spa facilities, access to the Japanese Water Gardens and a delicious, healthy buffet lunch. £45.00pp.
Sparkle & Shine – Includes leisurely buffet lunch with 1/4 bottle of champagne, Jessica Prescriptive Manicure (40 mins) including polish to take home. Use of the spa facilities is not included. £45.00pp.
Stobo Spa Day – Includes a choice of two of the following treatments Back Massage (25 mins), Facial Massage (25 mins), Paraffin Wax (25 mins) or Body Exfoliation (25 mins), unlimited use of spa facilities, a three course lunch with coffee. £115.00pp.
Ultimate Spa Day – Includes Stobo Exclusive Hot Stone Massage (55 mins), Darphin Viltality Awakening Facial (55 mins), Deluxe Manicure or Deluxe Pedicure (55 mins), unlimited use of spa facilities, three course lunch with Prosecco and a Molton Brown mini gift set. £225.00pp.

Aviemore, Scotland

With a thriving local population and welcoming atmosphere, Aviemore is a well known and popular holiday destination packed full of things to do for the whole family, alongside breath-taking scenery. Aviemore is a destination which caters to it’s visitors all year round with snow sports being the most popular winter activity. Other popular activities include: walking, climbing and biking.

Aviemore is the outdoor area of the Cairngorms National Park which is a great base for families along with many award winning attractions in the village and surrounding areas.

With regards to accommodation in Aviemore, well, it doesn’t really get any better than this:

The Aviemore Highland Resort Hotel

The MacDonald Highlands Hotel is situated at the very heart of the Cairngorms National Par, set amidst ancient Caledonian pine forests You’ll find the perfect room for your stay in the luxurious Scottish Highlands Hotel at Aviemore.

Prices for the hotel per room per night:

Highland Classic Double: £169
Highland Classic Twin: £169
Highlands Family 4: £179
Highland Executive Double: £217
Craigellachie Suite: £265

There is also a really good selection of self-catering properties including chalets, lodges and log cabins to choose from. Book a property with a hot tub and enjoy the fresh air and views from a different perspective! Or why not take your caravan along or camp at one of the 4 campsites in and around the village.

You can learn to ski, climb or walk here to name just a few activities and at the same time some of the countries most talented sports people choose Aviemore as their base for the excellent outdoor playground we have. The Badenoch and Strathspey area, which includes Aviemore, has produced more Olympic athletes per head of population than anywhere else in Britain. Aviemore also has its very own gold postbox in recognition of David Smith’s Gold Medal in the Mixed Coxed Fours Rowing at the London 2012 Olympics. Aviemore is brilliantly placed to escape into the Cairngorm Mountains with views to blow you away.

Loch Ness

Loch Ness, close to the Highland city of Inverness, is one of the most popular UK holiday destinations. Loch Ness is Scotland’s most famous loch and one of the world’s most famous lakes. Over 300 million years ago a collision of tectonic plates forced the land to bend and buckle, forming high mountains and deep gorges. In Scotland the collision is marked by the Great Glen which cuts across Scotland from Fort William on the southwest coast to Inverness on the northeast coast. The depths of these gorges were gradually filled with water and a string of lochs were formed; Loch Oich, Loch Lochy and Loch Ness.

The lake is about 24 miles long, up to half a mile wide and 980 feet deep containing roughly 265,000 million cubic feet of water; it is fed by eight rivers, sixty sizeable streams and countless smaller streams. These rivers and streams, w make visibility in the loch practically nil. However, the Loch is free of pollution and teeming with life; sea trout, brown trout, salmon, arctic char, eels and pike can all be found in its murky depths. There have even been reported sightings of sturgeon and dolphins. However, the loch is famed for a larger creature which is said to live here, known as the Loch Ness Monster or “Nessie”. The very first ‘sighting’ of Nessie was in 565AD. St Columba, stopped off by the loch side to preach to some local people. While Columba was preaching there was a disturbance in the waters and the monster appeared. It was said that monster attacked a member of the congregation, at which point the saint made the sign of the cross and invoked the power of God to drive the beast away.

The central location of Loch Ness makes it the perfect destination for holidays in the Scottish Highlands. . Inverness too is enviously served with first class air, road and rail links from the rest of Scotland, the UK and the continent making it an ideal destination for corporate functions and business conferences too!

Where to Stay in Loch Ness

The Lovat Hotel, Fort Augustus

The Lovat *** is a landmark Victorian Loch Ness hotel overlooking the loch side village of Fort Augustus, in the centre of the Scottish Highlands. This exceptional hotel is surrounded by stunning scenery as it sits at the southern tip of the mysterious deep waters of Loch Ness.

The 28 bedrooms are all designed to a high quality with interior design carefully chosen to offer comfort and luxury. The Lovat is an eco-conscious hotel awarded the GTBS Gold Award with a character & class of its own. Its grace & charm is complimented by natural décor, modernism & a genuine, warm hospitality offered by a devoted & passionate team.

This independent hotel offers a high class of comfort in traditional Victorian surroundings, however, solitude can be found with stunning panoramic views across Loch Ness, the five lock canal staircase of the Caledonian Canal & the surrounding mountains.

Room Rates are as follows:

External Studio Double Room – £61
External Studio Twin Room – £61
Deluxe Double – £86
Deluxe Twin – £86
Super Deluxe Double – £109
Master Double – £122
Grand Master Double – £157

Old Course Hotel, St. Andrews

“Luxury along the Scottish coastline”

Bordering the renowned 17th Road Hole of the Old Course, the Old Course Hotel overlooks the famous links courses, the West Sands Beach and the beautiful Scottish coastline. This prestigious AA Five Star-awarded hotel has 144 rooms including 35 suites and is recognised as one of Europe’s leading resorts. The Old Course Hotel features a combination of classically elegant and contemporary interiors, and French designer Jacques Garcia designed many of the hotel’s suites. Located just a short stroll from the historic university town of St Andrews, it’s a great vacation spot for golfers and non-golfers alike.

St Andrews is a former royal burgh on the east coast Scotland, and was named after Saint Andrew the Apostle. The town is home to the University of St. Andrews which is the third oldest university in the English-speaking world and the oldest in Scotland. St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife. St Andrews is also known worldwide as the “the home of golf”. This is partly because the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, founded in 1754, exercises legislative authority over the game worldwide, and also because the famous links is the most frequent venue for The Open Championship Visitors travel to St Andrews in great numbers for several courses ranked amongst the finest in the world, as well as for the sandy beaches.

The Room Tariffs of the hotel range from £305 per room per night, right up to £1410 per room per night. These prices include Bed and Breakfast; and you really make the most of your money! Full prices are as follows:

Eden Parkland – £305