Gleneagles – The Glorious Playground
Gleneagles is an authentically Scottish experience, a destination of unparalleled fun and adventure in one of the most luxurious and beautiful settings imaginable.
Since opening its doors in June 1924, Gleneagles has maintained its reputation as one of Scotland's most iconic hotels and sporting estates. Its stunning position beneath the Ochil Hills in the heart of Perthshire is truly breathtaking. Beginning its life in the glamorous age of travel, when guests arrived at their very own Gleneagles train station, the 850-acre estate was a sight to behold for socialites of the day.
What to do
Gleneagles features three distinct and challenging championship courses. Its world-class reputation led to it hosting the 2014 Ryder Cup on its PGA Centenary Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Other outdoor pursuits include fly-fishing, Harris hawk, horse riding, tennis, off-road driving, gundog training and game shooting.
Gleneagles’ award-winning destination spa includes a wellness centre offering traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and physiotherapy, alongside traditional facials and massages. A new addition to the facilities includes the beauty lodge ‘Bob and Cloche’. The former gate lodge has been transformed into glamorous beauty rooms featuring golden mirrors and opulent furnishings. It has the feel of a glamorous dressing room in the 1920s. A range of treatments is on offer, as well as traditional hairdressing, manicures and pedicures.
Although it is luxurious, Gleneagles is perfect for families travelling with young children. Little Glen and The Den are well-designed adventure areas for junior guests. Little Glen's countryside theme features an indoor treehouse, toy campfire, teepees, play stables and hobby horses. It also boasts its very own Gleneagles railway carriage. The Den is an unsupervised recreation space designed for six to 15-year-olds. It features PS4s, X-boxes, a cinema, its own photo booth, arts and crafts, pool and air hockey. It also offers traditional games, such as checkers, dominoes, backgammon and charades.
If you are planning an important occasion, business meeting or get-together, Ochil House can cater for your every need. Inspired by the private members' clubs of the 1920s, it encompasses six beautiful meeting rooms. The house is furnished with French antiques and finest fabrics to create a refined country house feel.
What to eat
Gleneagles boasts Michelin-star dining, it being home to Scotland's only two-Michelin-star restaurant, featuring chef, Andrew Fairlie. In 2017, the restaurant joined the prestigious Les Grande Tables du Monde, as one of just seven establishments in the UK. There is an tempting blend of Scottish produce with classic French techniques, inspired by Andrew's training in south-west France. Andrew grows many of the ingredients in his own walled Victorian garden.
The Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland PH3 1NF
t: 01764 662231 w: www.gleneagles.com