| The Spa at The Westin Turnberry Resort, Scotland |
Prior to May, if someone had asked me to list the top 10 countries in the world I would like to go for a spa vacation, I don't think Scotland would have made the cut. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to visit five excellent spas in that country and I would definitely like to return. Scotland has moved to the top 10.
My first stop was The Westin Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire on the west coast. Turnberry is stretched along the beautiful shoreline of the Firth of Clyde that leads to the Irish Sea. It overlooks Ailsa Craig, the island of Arran, and Northern Ireland in the far distance. It is best known for its championship links golf course, but its "19th hole," at The Spa is also worth noting.
The Spa is located in its own building connected to the hotel by a glass-enclosed walkway. It was built in 1991. A new expansion, part of a $20 million resort enhancement, opened in early 2002. The spa now consists of 11 treatment rooms (five in the new addition); one consultation room; two hydrotherapy rooms; one manicure/pedicure room; one co-ed lounge in the new addition; separate women's and men's changing areas containing a locker room, showers, vanity, a relaxation room with steam and shower; a 20-meter pool with whirlpool and waterfall wall; a co-ed sauna in the pool area with window for one wall which makes it very bright and inviting rather than cave-like. All of the new treatment rooms have in-room showers and two of the original rooms do. E'SPA provided consulting services in building the spa addition as well as spa treatment menu which uses E'SPA products exclusively. These products are "deeply relaxing and anti-stressing oils, revitalising seaweeds and nourishing skincare products to help protect, hydrate, firm and purify. Holistic in origin, practical in problem solving and importantly organic in substance, E'SPA carefully combines the therapeutic benefits of spa treatments, aromatherapy and hydrotherapy."
Among the many choices on the Spa Treatment Menu are:
Jet Lag Reviver Massage - 1 hour 10 minutes. A full aromatherapy body treatment to regulate your sleep and energy patterns and restore natural vitality.
Golfer's Tonic - 1 hour 55 minutes. Pre- or post-match. Includes a Life-Saving Back Massage (a back cleansing and exfoliation treatment to help stimulate circulation and cell renewal followed by a deep tension releasing aromatherapy massage), Holistic Luxury Foot and Nail Treatment incorporating Hot Stone Therapy (gentle exfoliation, relaxing massage incorporating Hot Stone Therapy and a warm envelopment of paraffin wax to leave your feet luxuriously soft and free from aches and pains).
I had the Holistic Total Body Care with Hot Stone Treatment with Ruth. According to the Spa Treatment Menu, "this all-encompassing treatment commences with full body skin brushing and exfoliation to prepare the skin, leaving it feeling soft and smooth. This is then followed by a deep body, face and scalp massage using hot and cold stones on vital energy points and a blend of essential oils chosen to suit individual requirements. This truly holistic experience will bring harmony to both mind and body." The treatment began by Ruth asking me if I wanted a relaxing or energizing experience. I was going to have a busy afternoon so I opted for energizing plus I was feeling a bit jetlagged. Ruth then rubbed two different oils on the backs of my hands and asked me which aroma I liked best. She said the properties of the oil with the scent I preferred would best address my needs. One had a lemony scent, the other a clove. I chose the clove which turned out to be Fitness Oil containing essential oils of clove, litesa cubebea, and English peppermint. The E'SPA line has one nourishing and six massage oils ranging from very relaxing to very invigorating.
The treatment started with an exfoliating full-body dry brush to bring blood to the surface (to nourish the skin) and remove the dead skin cells (so live cells can absorb nutrients). This was followed by a body polish containing spearmint and aloe gel and small phytoplankton algae granules. Ruth then had me shower to remove the aloe so the massage oil could penetrate better. While I was in the shower, Ruth changed the sheets. I then returned and sat on the table while Ruth lined hot stones on the table. I eased down on the table, and the stones lined both sides of my spine. Ruth gave me a mini-facial and scalp massage using regenerating oil for distressed skin. My skin was very dry from three flights the prior day. (The E'SPA line contains three different facial oils: regenerating, replenishing, and balancing.) After the facial came the body massage with the Fitness Oil. Ruth had a nice technique where she massaged with her hands then slowly introduced the hot stones. She placed cool stones on the third eye and toes. I left with instructions to leave the oil on until the following morning. The result was very soft skin and, except for 20 minutes following the treatment when I felt relaxed and zoned, I had no problem with energy for the rest of the day. According to Ruth, the stones and oils work together to rebalance the body's energy.
The spa has a small retail area in the reception area. Over a year ago, I had been given an E'SPA candle that was my favorite until it burned down. I restocked in both the Soothing (Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Lavendar and Patchouli) and Energising (Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Lemon and Lime) choices. I also bought a rather large jar of Invigorating Salt Scrub that leaves my skin smooth and revitalized. Needless to say, my luggage was quite a bit heavier when I left the resort, but I'm happy I did it.
The Spa Building also houses the Terrace Brasserie restaurant which serves healthy menu options as well as regular fare. Guests are welcomed to come to the restaurant in their spa robes. Some of the healthy options available on the menu at the time of my visit were:
- Traditional Nicoise salad with tomatoes, peppers, green beans, fresh tuna, olives and anchovies
- Caribbean Salad with mango, papaya, avocado and fresh pineapple
- Wild Mushroom Soup with truffle oil
- Fresh Linguine pasta with marinated vegetables and spring onion scented tomato vinaigrette
During various points in my visit, I exercised in the fitness center, swam in the pool, and tried my hand at a number of sports at the Activity Centre. Be sure to take a look at the spa photos, resort photos, and activity photos.
As we were leaving Turnberry to head for Gleneagles, I noticed a road sign that said "Haste Ye Back." I found out that it means "Resume Speed" but I like to think it means "Come Back Soon."
Haste Ye Back!
More information
The Westin Turnberry Resort, Scotland is a member of Connoisseurs Scotland, an elite collection of Scotland's finest properties and travel experiences. Featuring a small number of luxury hotels, each with a quality and character of its own, set in unique locations throughout Scotland. In addition to the hotels there is the Royal Scotsman, an exclusive train which revives the romance and elegance of times past. There is also a ship, The Hebridean Princess, that can transport guests to a hidden Scotland in total luxury.
 Gorse, a thorny plant that grows wild, is used in one of the original Bach Flower Remedies, according to About's guide to Holistic Healing, Phylameana lila Desy. It is a restorative remedy that helps lift dark and depressive personalities into a brighter and lighter experience. Good for anyone at times when they feel life is weighing them down. Positive Qualities include optimism, hope, perseverance, endurance, and illumination. Bell Heather, another plant found in abundance in Scotland, is another original Bach Flower Remedy. This flower remedy is beneficial to those who are consumed with self interests, self indulgence, or overly concerned with one's own problems. It helps one to move away from their unbalanced inward focus. It offers a better perspective, so that a person can learn to use their own suffering as a resource well that can be drawn from to offer compassion and caring to others. Positive qualities include, selflessness, self-discipline, inner calm, and compassion for others. Other species native to Scotland used in Bach Flower Remedy production include apple, broom, daisy, elder, harebell, hazel, navelwort, lady's mantle, mallow, ragged robin, Scots pine, Scottish primrose, sea pink, sea rocket, silverweed, snowdrop, spotted orchid, stonecrop, thistle, valerian, watercress, wild pansy and willowherb.1 Additionally, some plant species used in aromatherapy are native to Scotland e.g. yarrow, wild celery, mugwort, borage, juniper, corn mint, and valerian.1 With all the current interest in creating spa treatments using indigenous plants, resources and traditions, it is surprising that these plants have not found their way into the spa treatment menus in Scotland. 1"FLORA CELTICA: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF SCOTTISH PLANTS," Chapter 3 Medicinal and aromatic plants by William Milliken and Sam Bridgewater, Edinburgh Development Consultants, and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh |
Photos copyright 2002, Julie
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