Set beneath the Ochil Hills in Perthshire, Gleneagles (Perthshire, Scotland), an iconic hotel with its very own train station, is taking wellness outside this May with the launch of a wood-fired sauna and freshwater immersion experience at Frandy Water. As outdoor sauna rituals and cold-water swimming continue to grow in popularity, Frandy Water offers a more private, guided interpretation of the practice, firmly rooted in the Scottish landscape.
Wellness in the Wild
In signature Gleneagles style, the experience begins with a private Land Rover Defender drive off the grounds of the hotel, heading to the shores of Frandy Water, just 15 minutes away. At the water’s edge sits a wood-fired sauna accommodating up to six guests. It is designed to frame views across the water and surrounding hills. The crackle of a wood-burning stove and the scent of heated cedar mark the start of a 90 or two-hour contrast therapy ritual.
Thermal Benefits
Alternating between the dry heat of the wood-fired sauna and the refreshing chill of the water creates a powerful contrast, encouraging circulation and supporting muscle recovery at a gentle pace. Between cycles, a private deck serves as a place to pause, wrap up in blankets around a fire pit, and enjoy a host of herbal teas and refreshments.
“Moving between hot and cold can help boost circulation, speed up muscle recovery, and flush out inflammation, all while resetting the nervous system,” says Carlos Urrutigoity, director of wellness. “It improves stress resilience, mood, and mental clarity. The unique thing about this contrast is that guests don’t just feel deeply relaxed, they feel energized afterwards, too.”
Back to Nature
While the wild sauna and dip form the centerpiece of the new launch, Frandy Water also opens the reservoir for a broader program of water-based activities. Guests can venture onto the water in Canadian canoes or sit-on-top kayaks, taking in the landscape as they glide along, or fish for brown and rainbow trout. The setting is simple and elemental. Water, wind, wood, and open sky, offering a serene setting beyond the hotel.
Gleneagles Outdoor Evolution
Frandy Water marks the next chapter in Gleneagles’ evolving approach to wellbeing, one that moves fluidly between high-performance sport, restorative spa treatments, and immersion in the land itself. Following the launch of the Gleneagles Sporting Club in 2024, a state-of-the-art facility featuring indoor tennis courts, padel courts, and climbing walls, the addition of Frandy Water expands the hotel’s outdoor offerings, inviting guests to engage with Perthshire’s natural elements.
