A New Era of Wellness at Gleneagles: Where Nature Meets Science

The spa’s grounding in the landscape is reflected in its treatments and product ranges. We’ve developed our own balms, oils and scrubs using botanicals gathered from the estate and the wider Perthshire countryside. Scottish pine scents the steam room during An Taigh-Smuide – a mud and steam ritual that draws on ancient Scottish healing traditions – while the hotel’s signature oil blends are designed to capture the beauty and vitality of the natural world just beyond the windows.

As Spa Manager Joanne Young explains: “The spa is deeply rooted in Scottish heritage. From our bespoke treatments to our signature oils, every element is inspired by this landscape. Our guests love the authenticity of that connection. They feel not only restored, but connected to Scotland in a very personal way.”

While the design and the products are distinctive, the most consistent feedback from guests is about the people. From the warm welcome of the spa hosts to the skill and intuition of the therapists, guests describe feeling truly cared for.

“There is something very special about the team here,” says Young. “Our therapists are extremely talented, and each brings their own specialist skillset. Guests often leave saying they feel deeply relaxed, restored and listened to.”

Among the team is Wellness Practitioner Anna Smilowska, whose Personalised Wellness Therapy includes cranio-sacral work, dry needling and Thai reflexology. Her approach demonstrates how the spa blends traditional therapies with specialist expertise, offering treatments that go beyond relaxation to address issues such as stress, chronic pain and emotional wellbeing.

What truly distinguishes the Spa at Gleneagles, however, is its collaborations. The hotel has deliberately sought out science-led partners whose research and innovation complement its own heritage-based philosophy.

Dr. Barbara Sturm, world-renowned for her anti-inflammatory ethos and results-driven skincare, is a central partner. Her treatments, available within the spa, are celebrated for their ability to deliver visible results while remaining gentle and restorative. 

More recently, we’ve introduced Seabody, a biotech wellness brand founded by Irish scientist Dr Helena McMahon. With a background in molecular biology, stem cell therapies and gene research, McMahon has dedicated her recent career to harnessing the extraordinary potential of marine botanicals, viewing beauty through a researcher’s eyes.

Seabody’s treatments and supplements draw on seaweed extracts rich in bioactive compounds that support cellular health, longevity and resilience. “There is a real physiological basis to wellness treatments,” McMahon explains. “Massage, touch, breathwork and lymphatic drainage all trigger complex responses in the body. With Seabody, we wanted to combine that therapeutic power with science-backed ingredients that work on a cellular level. It’s about creating real, lasting impact for the skin and the body.”

At Gleneagles, Seabody has collaborated on a treatment available nowhere else in the world. It combines the brand’s biotech facial with Gleneagles’ own restorative Long Exhale rituals. The effect is both deeply calming and visibly transformative.

The spa is not an isolated offering but part of a holistic ecosystem. Guests can extend their wellness journey across the various spaces: drinking adaptogen teas in the Spa Café, practising yoga or personal training in the health club, enjoying nourishing menus developed with leading nutritionists or walking, riding and cycling through the hills and rivers of Perthshire.

“Wellness is not one-size-fits-all,” Young emphasises. “It is about listening, paying attention, and creating personalised experiences. For some guests that means fitness and challenge; for others it is slowing down, connecting with nature, or focusing on emotional wellbeing. Gleneagles allows us to support every definition of wellness.”