Gleneagles - A Guest Article by Madelyn Miller

Dateline: 06/27/98

Madelyn Miller is back as this week's guest author after another enviable trip with stops at spas in Scotland, Mexico, Australia, and Finland. Madelyn is a food, wine and travel writer who contributes to 12 Publications with a combined circulation of several million. She is the founder of Southwest Travelwriters Association. Fondly called "The Travel Lady," she frequently gives travel tips and advice on Fox-TV KDFW and NBC in Dallas. She recently started doing National Public Radio, and is heard on the syndicated show "Sisters and Friends". And she is a frequent and welcomed contributor to the Spa Site. Last year, she took 30 trips to destinations such as India, Rio, Israel, Montreal, Australia and Hong Kong. Look for upcoming articles from Madelyn on Las Ventanas Los Cabos in Mexico, Observatory in Australia, and Coluum in Australia, among others. In this article, Madelyn shares her spa experiences at Gleneagles in Scotland.

Julie Register
Spa Guide

photos courtesy of Madelyn Miller
Gleneagles
The World's Greatest Golf Course
also has
one of the World's Greatest Spas.

by Madelyn Miller

And as a serious spa-goer with international credentials (my body has been rubbed all over the world) I must say Gleneagles is one of my favorites.

Gleneagles positions itself as a place for people to unwind. For some this means active outdoor pursuits such as golf, riding, shooting, or fishing. For others a more gentle pampering and indulgence. Please sign me up for the second group.

Every golfer dreams of playing Gleneagles in Scotland. But it is also a dream destination for spa goers. I enjoyed soothing spa treatments, falconry, clay pigeon shooting, horseback riding, whiskey tastings, and tea. I also had some memorable meals. In fact, I would rush back to Gleneagles even if they didn't have a golf course. And maybe next time I will even get around to teeing off.

But the wonderful thing about Gleneagles is it truly has something for everyone. I saw a darling 4-year-old English lass proudly wearing the ribbon she had received for riding a pony. I know she will cherish it for life, just as I will always remember certain special moments.

I would return to Gleneagles just for a Thai massage. And I am not the only one who feels that way. Doctors drive up from Edinburg to get a treatment from Ken Anderson. Ken is a former businessman who was wildly successful. He owned 2 planes, several luxury cars, a recording studio and other businesses. At one point in his life, everything collapsed, his father died, and his wife divorced him. Despondent, he did little more than drink and take depression medications for two years. Then through a quirky coincidence he had an opportunity to experience Thai Massage. It helped him so much he decided to go to Thailand and live in a monastery to learn the art.

I'm sorry for all the suffering Ken had. But his life change sure has benefited a lot of other people. If you want to be one of the lucky ones, be sure to make reservations in advance. (I mean before you even leave for Gleneagles)

The most indulgent way to experience Glen Eagles is on the Carte Blanche program. As the name implies, for a fixed daily rate, they give you the ultimate freedom and choice. You can select from the entire range of sport and leisure experiences that Gleneagles offers. You can partake in as many activities as you like, as often as you like. This is the fixed price passport to everything that Gleneagles has to offer--including all meals and facilities. (You will find me in the spa or tasting Foie gras in the dining room).

If you have the stamina of a decathlete, this is really a bargain. Think of it, get up early for a massage and a dip in the pool, after a glorious breakfast of smoked salmon and typical Scottish dishes (room service is good, but the bountiful buffet is worth trying), take a golf lesson followed by a reflexology treatment. Choose lunch at the Club and be tempted by tasty tapas or eat healthy by choosing the low calorie offerings. Don't linger because you still want to do off-road mountain biking, horseback riding, falconry and maybe another spa treatment before dinner. Or perhaps you want an early evening meal so you can fish the evening rise of trout on nearby Fordoun Loch.

Or you could just spend every single moment in the spa.

Here are a few of the treatments I would recommend:

THAI MASSAGE: This is the oldest and arguably the most powerful comprehensive form of body massage therapy. During this clothes-on therapy, gentle pressure is applied to specific areas of the body to work on the Sen lines (the body's energy lines) This pressure, combined with gentle stretching, applied yoga, acupressure, muscular massage and some reflexology. releases the body's natural healing energy. The masseuse uses hands, foot, elbows and knees, bending you a bit like a pretzel. This is a treatment where you leave your clothes on.

Thai massage therapy accelerates the elimination of harmful toxins through the lymphatic system. This very powerful and truly holistic therapy gently relieves tension and stress and leaves you feeling physically and mentally alert. (as opposed to many massages which relax you so much you feel like napping) Thai massage improves the function of the internal organs and returns the body to its natural and energized state. 59 minutes cost 55 pounds. There is also a mini-Thai massage for 25 minutes at 35 pounds...but you definitely want the whole thing. It took them 6,000 years to develop this technique. Why rush?

E'SPA DETOXIFYING ALGAE TREATMENT: This is a balancing and detoxifying treatment involving skin brushing, exfoliation and algae, rich in minerals and enzymes. This treatment boosts the metabolism and speeds up the elimination of toxins. It includes a full scalp treatment to easy away tensions. No wonder fish always look so relaxed. 75 minutes for 55 pounds.

E'SPA AROMATHERAPY TOTAL BODY CARE: This to a aromatherapy treatment takes a holistic approach by promoting total relaxation. It is the perfect antidote to a stressful lifestyle (do you know any other kind?) It begins with skin brushing and exfoliation, followed by an aromatherapy massage of the body and scalp using essential oils to ease tension and relax body and mind. Well worth 65 pounds for 75 minutes.

DEEP CLEANSING BACK TREATMENT: An ideal treatment for problematic skin, but also a lovely treat for the much neglected hard to reach back area. The back is deep cleansed and exfoliated to help stimulate cellular renewal, then calmed and relaxed with a luxurious aromatherapy massage.. To complete this treatment an application of light moisturizing balm ensures the skin is left soft, smooth and revitalized. 45 minutes for 45 pounds.

HYDROTHERAPY MASSAGE: A therapeutic multi-jet bath with powerful water jets that concentrate on specific areas of tension. The bath is filled with a soothing blend of essential oils, seaweed and mineral sea salts. Then the underwater massage jets do their thing from the fee up the entire body. Hydrotherapy is a great way to relax the body and unwind while the massage jets relieve tension, stimulate muscle tone, the lymphatic system, circulation, soothe aching muscles and leave you felling totally relaxed yet invigorated. If I had a bathtub like this, I would never take a shower. Swimwear must be worn for this treatment. 25 minutes for 35 pounds.

THE RX FACIAL: A traditional Eastern treatment that maximizes the body's self recovery powers and helps restore health to mind and body. The unique RX massage, a special hot towel treatment and a shiatsu pressure point scalp massage are combined with the use of special care products to pamper the senses while restoring your skin. This treatment also includes a computerized skin diagnosis. Talk about combining high touch with high tech.

THERE'S MORE

I know I haven't told you about the falconry, horseback riding, off-road trails, shooting, croquet lawns, putting greens, pitch and putt, lawn bowling and jogging trails. You'll just have to discover them for yourself.

And I haven't said a word about the golf. But that is another story.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

AIRPORTS
Edinburgh and Glasgow airports are both less than 50 miles, or an hour's drive away.

Airport transfers are 70 pounds by taxi or 75 pounds for a chauffeur. Splurge, Go for the chauffeur and ask for Bernard. His father was the chief concierge there for years and he knows all the inside secrets and history.

Arrangements can also be made to land helicopters at the Hotel.

RAIL
Great North Eastern Railway service stop at Gleneagles Station which is on the main London to Inverness line. Let the hotel know which train you will be on and they will be happy to meet you

MONEY
You can use English pounds. But since everything can be charged to your room, you hardly need anything but plastic

GLENEAGLES HOTEL
FREEPOST, AUCHTERARDER, PERTHSHIRE
SCOTLAND PH3 1BR
800-223-6800 toll free
0800 704 705 free phone
in Great Britaintelephone 44(0) 1764 662231
fax 44(0)1764662231
http://www.gleneagles.com
ressales@guinness.com

SPA SPEAK

-Madelyn Miller

Reprinted with permission by Madelyn Miller,The Travel Lady
copyright 1998,
all rights reserved.

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