Stobo Castle Health Spa: A Timeless Journey from Ancestral Estate to World-Class Destination Spa

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders, Stobo Castle Health Spa stands as a majestic symbol of history, luxury, and rejuvenation and is now recognised as one of the most renowned destination spas in the UK. The story of Stobo Castle’s transformation into a wellness retreat is one of vision, perseverance, and a deep respect for the history that has shaped it.

Paul Andrews spoke to Stephen Winyard and his wife Mandy, the current owners of Stobo Castle and the next generation, Mitchell, Elliott and Taylor who are all actively involved in the business today.

The story of Stobo Castle begins long before its days as a luxury spa. The land surrounding the castle dates back thousands of years when the original building would have been used a defensive fortress to protect the Scottish Borders from invading forces. Despite changing hands many times over the years, and falling into disrepair before the purchase by the Winyard family, much of the history still shapes the castle and the estate today.

The estate’s picturesque setting, overlooking tranquil lochs and surrounded by lush woodlands, adds to its charm, making it a real symbol of the grandeur, beauty and opulence of the Scottish Borders but like many grand estates, Stobo Castle faced a period of uncertainty in the 20th century. Following World War II, the upkeep of such vast properties became increasingly difficult, and many Scottish estates either fell into disrepair or were sold off. By the 1970s, Stobo Castle’s future was in question and it was unclear what would become of this once-great property.

As Stephen explains, “During the war my father Robert was a RAF pilot instructor and during the early days of his relationship with my mother, Gaynor, she visited him in Errol where he was based and this is where her love of Scotland undoubtedly began. My father then had a number of postings overseas so they travelled together and during their travels my mother began her training in beauty therapy which became a real passion.”

“I was pursuing my own career and was working in the casino industry in the Bahamas when I got a call to say that my mother had bought a derelict castle in Scotland! She had always wanted to run a business in the field of beauty therapy and had been looking for a property to base the venture and her vision was to create the first health farm in Scotland,” continues Stephen.

“It seemed like a great opportunity to be involved in something truly innovative and the lure of being part of the ‘health farm’ revolution proved too hard to resist,” he continues, “so I returned to Scotland to pursue the dream and am to this day probably the only person who has ever purchased a one-way ticket from Nassau to Peebles!”

At the time, the concept of a luxury spa hotel was relatively new in the UK, and the idea of turning an ancient Scottish castle into a modern wellness retreat was ambitious.

But the Winyards were committed to blending the historical beauty of the castle with the comforts of a modern spa. They began extensive renovations to transform the interior into a space that would offer guests both relaxation and indulgence, while preserving the historic charm that made the castle so special.

As Stephen continues, “We worked really hard to transform the castle but we did what we set out to do and in 1978, three years after the purchase, Stobo Castle opened its doors as Scotland’s first health farm. The transformation resulted in opening with sixteen bedrooms as a place for health and relaxation. It was also a place for treatments and my mother was the pioneer of the spa industry in Scotland, entrepreneurial and driven to fulfil her ambition. Guests would arrive and be given a consultation, their medical history noted and a diet agreed with the aim for every guest to leave Stobo utterly relaxed, looking trim, feeling vibrantly alive and radiating good health,” he continues.

“Once the consultation was concluded, a programme of treatments was agreed with each guest having a minimum of five hours treatments a day including massage, steam and sauna baths, yoga sessions, aromatherapy and a range of other health-promoting activities.”

The early success of Stobo Castle as a destination spa was due in large part to its innovative offerings. From the beginning, the spa focused on combining the latest in health and beauty treatments with traditional Scottish hospitality.

Guests could relax in opulent surroundings while enjoying treatments designed to promote both physical and mental well-being, an idea that was revolutionary at the time, all set in the beautiful and tranquil setting of the Scottish Borders.

Like many families in business, the Winyards had a long-term vision for Stobo Castle and the business from day one has been built on three pillars:

1. Continuous reinvestment in guest facilities

2. Continuous training and development of staff

3. Continuous promotion of the brand

These pillars continue to be the drivers of the business.

Stephen Winyard, took over the management of the hotel in the early 1990s and continued to build on his parents’ legacy. Under his leadership, Stobo Castle underwent a new phase of expansion, solidifying its position as one of the leading destination spas in the UK.

Stobo Castle remains very much a family business with Stephen and Mandy at the helm today.

As Mandy explains, “Stephen and I lived in a cottage here in Stobo and I initially worked from the age of 16 as a spa assistant, trained and qualified as a beauty therapist and now am responsible for the retail side of the business.”

The business further evolved in 2000 with the passing of both Stephen’s parents and the decision was taken to remove the consultations that all guests had previously had upon arrival and Stephen networked at spas around the country, capturing ideas and innovations to bring back to Stobo, resulting in continuous improvement and the evolution of the business from a health farm to a destination spa.

As Stephen continues, “We need to constantly invest in the business, the facilities and the brand and in 2003 we built a new spa which was vital for us to maintain our place as a destination spa.”

This investment saw the completion of a £5 million state-of-the-art spa with 40 treatment rooms, hydrospa, experience facilities, 25 metre infinity pool and a fully equipped gym and exercise studio.

Stephen also spearheaded the access to Stobo’s Japanese Water Gardens, a stunning addition to the castle’s grounds that offer guests a serene and tranquil space to unwind. The gardens, featuring waterfalls, ponds, and traditional Japanese landscaping, add to the sense of calm and rejuvenation that permeates Stobo Castle, blending Eastern philosophy with Scottish natural beauty.

Family involvement remains very much at the heart of the Stobo experience and although difficult to let go, it was a logical step for their son Elliott to take over Stephen’s role in the business, a transition that took place gradually over the course of eighteen months with Elliott shadowing Stephen and learning on the job. As Stephen adds, “It was, and still is, important for the next generation to flourish and for them to be seen to be doing the job and to become an integral part of the brand, and the journey that Elliott and I went on during that transition was an important part of that process.”

Today, Elliott has been joined in the business by brother Mitchell who is Stobo’s archivist and has spent time collating the history and evolution of the business and is also actively involved in projects and sister Taylor who gets involved in the operational aspects of the business too.

Stobo Castle continues to deliver experiences to guest and today is regarded as one of the finest destination spas in Europe, a reputation that has been solidified by numerous awards and accolades. Over the years, Stobo has been recognised for its exceptional service, luxurious accommodations, and world-class spa treatments.

In addition to its spa facilities, Stobo Castle is celebrated for its gourmet cuisine, offering guests healthy, locally-sourced meals designed to complement the wellness experience. The combination of top-tier treatments, luxurious surroundings, and outstanding service has made Stobo a firm favourite for those wanting to experience the spa.

The past few years have seen plenty of change and it has not always been easy. As Stephen adds, “We had to completely close during the pandemic and when it came to being allowed to reopen there were so many hurdles to overcome. It was not easy but being a family business certainly helped as we worked together and shared the load, and we have a shared vision to deliver the best experiences to our guests which was always the most important concern.”

As Stobo Castle looks to the future, it continues to innovate and evolve while staying true to its roots. In recent years, Stobo has embraced more eco-friendly practices, reflecting a growing awareness of sustainability within the hospitality industry. The spa has introduced organic treatments and has committed to reducing its carbon footprint by implementing energy-saving measures and sourcing more sustainable products.

Stobo Castle remains a family-run business, with the Winyard family’s passion for wellness and hospitality still at the heart of its operations. Their continued investment in the property and its facilities ensures that Stobo will remain a leading destination for wellness and relaxation for years to come.

As Stephen continues, “Now the next generation are actively involved in running the business there is always a family presence which is so important, and we have grown to over 200 staff so are now a big business to manage and I am delighted that the family presence now continues into the next generation. I have put my stamp on Stobo Castle, built on the vision and legacy of my mother so that it lives on and ensured that we have created a delightful destination spa.”

“We really have created something very special that our guests, many of whom return time and time again, love. Reinvestment is important to keep us at the top of our game and the location that we are in really does add to the unique and unequivocal charm of Stobo Castle."

The story of Stobo Castle is one of reinvention, vision, and dedication. From its origins as a stately home to its modern incarnation as a world-class spa, Stobo Castle has retained its historical charm while continually evolving to meet the needs of contemporary guests.

Whether visitors come for a weekend of pampering or a longer wellness retreat, Stobo Castle offers an escape from the stresses of everyday life, inviting guests to relax and rejuvenate in one of Scotland’s most beautiful settings.

Steeped in history yet constantly moving forward, Stobo Castle stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of luxury, wellness, and the serene Scottish countryside, and to a family dedicated to providing high standards of service and continued reinvestment for the future.

The next generation are aware of the history that has gone before and ready for the challenges that lie ahead. “We want to be the best spa in the country,” adds Elliott.

“It is also important to maintain the legacy that has already been established and to use it to build a better business going forward,” explains Mitchell.

“We need to continue to work together, fully committed to doing what we need to do,” adds Taylor.

As Stephen concludes, “As Chairman I am delighted to say that today, Stobo stands proud, a magnificent example of Scottish Baronial architecture and an oasis of hospitality for all our guests and staff."

"In fact, Stobo has become the amalgam between history and health and something that I am proud to have helped create.”