scotland the best
Super spas and salons
Scotland has many brilliant places where you can rest, relax and leave all your cares behind
The Kohler Waters Spa
This beautifully designed leisure/treatment suite at the Old Course resort, St Andrews. Owners of the hotel, the Kohler Company, produce iconic kitchens and bathrooms in the US and own a slew of luxury resorts. There’s a 20m pool, monsoon showers, saunas, crystal steam rooms and treatment rooms. Non-residents welcome. oldcoursehotel.co.uk 01334 468067
Stobo Castle
Border baronial mansion 10km south of Peebles in beautiful countryside of towering trees and trickling burns. Dawyck Gardens nearby and there are Japanese Water Gardens in the grounds. Mainly a hotel but day visits possible; the spa is the heart of the pampering experience. More than 70 treatments are available. Not too much emphasis on exercise, and there’s a lovely pool. stobocastle.co.uk 01721 725300
The Spa at Blythswood Square
In the basement of Glasgow’s city centre hotel, a top spa and destination in itself. Hugely popular with Glasgow lasses for individual treatments and day packages using, among others, ishga products (natural, organic, Scottish). Great lighting, steam, sauna, Jacuzzi-tastic; seductive and indulgent. Pure (as well as purifying) Glasgow. blythswoodsquare.com 0141 240 1662
Sheraton Grand Hotel
Considered the best spa in Edinburgh, it’s one of the best things about the hotel, which is situated opposite the Usher Hall. As well as the usual pool, there’s another that extends outdoors, dangling infinity-style over Conference Square behind the hotel. Exotic hydrotherapy and a host of treatments, with all the right unguents. Range of day and halfday tickets and gift vouchers available. onespa.com 0131 221 7777 Peter Irvine is the author of the essential travel guide Scotland the Best published by Collins, priced £15.99