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An oasis of peace

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The three-hour journey from Aberdeen to Stobo Castle near Peebles was a breeze. We arrived at four o’clock, leaving us plenty of time to stretch our legs in the castle’s extensive grounds, including the spectacular Japanese gardens with its abundance of waterfalls, majestic specimen trees and rhododendrons and azaleas in full bloom.

We were greeted by charming receptionist Yvonne, originally from Elgin, who led us to the ‘Maitland’ room, on the first floor overlooking the gardens, woodland and rolling hillsides beyond. We were impressed by the plush antique furnishings, two queen-sized beds, our feature black and white en-suite bathroom and a lovely bottle of champagne on ice.

Incidentally, you can have carrot juice or some other highly nutritional product from the castle’s coffee and juice bar, but you can also enjoy a cocktail or equally refreshing gin and tonic, all competitively priced, as you chill before dinner.

The castle has three dining rooms, adjacent to each other – all, as you would expect, beautifully furnished.

Dinner was delightful. I started with pea soup while my wife opted for avocado salad served with beetroot salsa.

My main of grilled fillet of haddock, served unusually with breaded banana was simply delicious, as was my wife’s saddles of venison, accompanied by a red-currant and red wine sauce, and served pink just to her liking.

For dessert I chose a traditional old favourite, Tipsy Laird, a fruity trifle containing lots of alcohol and served with cream while my other half opted for a cheese and biscuit selection – brie, dunsyre and applewood.

Organising three dining rooms in full flight is no small feat, but deputy manager Becky and her team, including our waitress Georgina, did it seamlessly, and with a smile.

When I asked Becky to convey our thanks to the chef, she told us that if we were to go along to the regular Monday night, nine o’clock informal gathering in the castle kitchen, we could do that ourselves. We did just that, and what a good decision it turned out to be.

Around 25 of us were ushered out of the castle’s sumptuous drawing room downstairs to the kitchen where we re-assembled in three rows. We were at the back, and just before chef Teresa Lynch launched into her spiel, the only other man in the room, sitting right at the front, turned around and said ‘Hi Dave’.

You could have knocked me down with a feather, it was none other than former Dumbarton, Celtic, Borussia Dortmund and Hibs midfielder, Murdo Macleod, who won 20 caps for Scotland and played in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, when he was famously knocked out by a ferocious free-kick from Brazil’s Branco.

Later, Murdo went back to his spiritual Parkhead home as assistant-manager to Wim Jansen. Celtic completed a league and league cup double in their only season in-charge, in so doing ending Rangers’ quest to win 10 championships in a row.

These days Murdo is a regular on Radio Scotland’s Sportsound at the weekend, he’s also one of our country’s finest after-dinner speakers.

I’ve known Murdo a long time but it was lovely to renew my acquaintance with his wife Mhairi, and to meet their equally lovely daughter, also Mhairi, for the first time.

The Macleod family have been loyal supporters of Stobo over the last 20 years, so it was no surprise when chef Teresa, who amazingly has been in-situ for the last 28 years, included Murdo in some of her humorous anecdotes about her time at Stobo, growing up in her native Ireland, her love of cooking and life in general – not to mention her true passion, supporting Celtic – she never misses a game at Parkhead.

After a thoroughly entertaining hour, in which Teresa prepared and cooked a delicious beef bourguignon while entertaining us with her wit and wicked sense of humour, we retired to prepare ourselves for the following morning’s exotic treatments.

After breakfast my wife headed away with Natalie for a 55-minute Themae Bourbon Tea Nutri Wrap, while I met up with local lass Fiona who whisked me off for an equally energising Phytomer Marine Zest.

Now, this is where it gets technical. My wife’s treatment began with exfoliation to rid the skin of impurities, followed by the sumptuous and creamy Bourbon Tea Nutri Wrap, packed with powders containing beneficial properties such as milk to nourish, coconut to soften and kaolin to purify.

Vanilla and passion fruit extracts were also added to intensify the moisturising and softness, so the sense of well-being and relaxation is immediate.

I too felt totally at peace with the world as Fiona set about my 70-minute treatment designed to recharge and stimulate the body with a combination of massage and exfoliation, allowing fatigue to simply melt away – and you know what, the brochure was right.

We both emerged re-energised, almost glowing, and while I wandered for a dip in Scotland’s only 25-metre ozone pool, and thereafter sample the delights of the sauna, steam bath, aqua centre and outdoor hot-tub, Emma tracked down my wife for her Zenspa deluxe pedicure.

An hour later at lunch my wife started with sweet potato, coconut and coriander soup while I opted for honeydew melon and pineapple garnished with mixed berries, then both of us enjoyed Cajun chicken swerved with rice, tomato salsa and pak choi.

For dessert I went for sticky toffee pudding with ice cream, while my wife chose Bailey’s cheesecake – both were absolutely delicious.

The ideal way to work off some of those calories was another visit to the spa for a few lengths before settling down for an hour on the loungers overlooking Stobo’s perfectly manicured lawns and breath-taking surrounding scenery.

Over the last four decades, this one time playground to the rich and famous has become an oasis of peace and tranquillity, affordable to everyone, thanks to the variety of packages now on offer – so therapeutic, so invigorating, so Stobo!

  • Overnight stays from £125pp including all meals.
  • Spa Days from £99pp including two treatments and lunch with Prosecco.
  • Half Days from £45pp including buffet lunch or afternoon tea.
  • Closest train station – Waverley, Edinburgh, approx. 30 miles.
  • For more information and bookings visit www.stobocastle.co.uk or call 01721 760 294.