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News
ABOVE: Inverlochy Castle. INSET BELOW: Sheraton Hotel & Grand Spa in Edinburgh, and a display of spa products at Gleneagls. Connoisseurs Scotland spa hotels and castles celebrate Christmas in styleEDINBURGH, SCOTLAND -- The Scottish Christmas season is a time for family, celebration, relaxation and merrymaking -- and Connoisseurs Scotland is abound with special offers, group packages and deluxe accommodations to make this holiday season unforgettable. From an intimate family reunion in a quaint country house hotel to a rejuvenating spa stay in a cosmopolitan city -- or festive traditions in one of the country's finest castles-- there is a wealth of options from which to choose: Stobo Castle Health Spa -- set deep within the Scottish Borders countryside and surrounded by vast pine forests, a tranquil lake and Japanese Water Gardens -- is offering a "So Festive" break starting at £349 (US $579)* per person for two nights (Dec. 24-26). The package includes complimentary back massage, champagne reception and dinner with minced pies and mulled wine on Christmas Eve; breakfast, lunch and a traditional dinner on Christmas Day; and breakfast and buffet lunch on Boxing Day. Guests can extend their stay on December 23 or 26 for only £89 ($148) per person. Contact: reservations@stobocastle.co.uk.
Spa treatments starting at £25 ($42) include Escape at One, a series of heat and water experiences inspired by ancient Celts and Romans; chakra balancing with hot stones; and holistic facials. Contact: grandedinburgh.sheraton@sheraton.com. Inverlochy Castle, recently voted by Travel and Leisure Magazine to be the finest hotel in Europe, has a unique Christmas package (Dec. 24-27) that includes a champagne reception, entertainment featuring the Lochaber Children's Choir and piano played by resident pianist Clelland Barrie, festive meals in the Great Hall, a falconry display, a sheep dog trial and clay pigeon shooting. Rates inclusive of the three nights and most meals start at £2,772 ($4,602) for two people sharing. Contact: info@inverlochycastlehotel.com or toll free 888-424-0106. Situated on 850 acres of Perthshire countryside, the Gleneagles Hotel -- known for its three top Scottish Championship Golf Courses and the award-winning spa by ESPA -- offers a luxurious Christmas break (Dec. 24-27) with rates from £1505 ($2,498) for adults and £480 ($797) for children - under five years and under are free. Roaring log fires, all meals, daily entertainment, dancing and special events for both adults and children complement the three-night accommodations. Guests can extend their stay -- adding December 23 or 27 -- for free. Contact: resort.sales@gleneagles.com or toll free 866-881-9525. Hotel du Vin at One Devonshire Gardens, a boutique hotel set in a tree-lined Victorian terrace in Glasgow's fashionable West End, has announced holiday rates (Dec. 24-26) starting at £175 ($291) and "Winter Warmer" rates, valid December 11 to February 28 (excluding Dec. 24-26 and Feb. 12-14) starting at £150 ($249); both include full Scottish breakfast. Festive celebration menus and a special Christmas Day lunch are available from £27.50 ($46). Website: www.hotelduvin.com/edinburgh. The intimate Knockinaam Lodge is offering exclusive use of their charming property for the holiday season; with ten individually decorated rooms, elegant Scottish dining and breathtaking views, it is the perfect getaway for 20. The package includes three nights' accommodation (Dec. 24-27), festive afternoon tea on arrival, dinner, full Scottish breakfast, lunch on Christmas with a light supper and all crackers and decorations; cost is £10,000 ($16,600) for the entire lodge - the equilivant of £500 ($830) per person. Contact: reservations@knockinaamlodge.com Another important holiday in Scotland is New Year -- or Hogmanay, as it is traditionally called. The holiday evolved from pagan rituals -- smaller celebrations such as "first-footing," traditional ceilidh dances and the more recent singing of Robert Burns' "Auld Lang Syne" -- became city-wide celebrations with torchlight processions, live musical performances, fireworks and more. Whether seeking to celebrate quietly or join the ' the biggest party of the year' in Edinburgh, Connoisseurs Scotland offers a range of diverse properties from which to choose - many with holiday specials.
Information on Connoisseurs Scotland, its member resorts and special offers
can be found at
www.luxuryscotland.co.uk. Photos: Connoisseurs Scotland:
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Despite its location in the centre of bustling Edinburgh, the five-star
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa's "Christmas Break" package, available
December 1 through 29, is all about relaxation. The special includes
accommodations, full Scottish breakfast and use of One Spa's infinity swimming
pool, state-of-the-art gym and Cleopatra baths; single rooms start at £120
($199) and doubles at £140 ($232). 
Connoisseurs Scotland's 23 members include four of the world's finest golf
resorts including Gleneagles and Old Course, Inverlochy Castle (recently voted the best hotel in Europe), six
outstanding city centre properties, Edinburgh's only 5 Red Star hotel
(Prestonfield), a 19th-century castle health spa, a collection of intimate
country house hotels, the Royal Scotsman luxury train, two exclusive use
properties and three properties set in scenic coastal locations. Four properties
boast Michelin-starred restaurants. 
