Stobo Castle appoints new spa manager

Darren Ash has joined So Stobo at Stobo Castle as spa manager. Ash joins the So Stobo team from Hand Picked Hotels, where he was health club and spa manager.

He began his career 14 years ago as a fitness instructor in a small leisure club and spa, progressing through both health club management and spa management positions.

“I’ve been lucky enough to gain luxury experience through working at The Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh and One Spa at the Sheraton Grand,” said Ash. “It was here I completed my spa management degree-level qualification, as the industry became a passion of mine.”

So Stobo at Stobo Castle

Billed as Scotland’s sole destination spa, Stobo Castle is run by the Winyard family.

Dating back more than 1,000 years, the castle was purchased by the Winyards in 1975. It opened as one of the UK’s first health farms in 1978.

A spa-first business, the castle boats the 1,400sqm So Stobo spa. Facilities include a 25m pool, Swedish sauna, steam room and hydrospa.

There is a ladies-only aromatic steam room, crystal steam room and laconium. In 2023, the three outdoor hot tubs were upgraded.

“It’s exciting to join the Winyard family at Stobo Castle,” said Ash. “Behind the scenes I will be looking to identify gaps in the market and researching the latest new treatments and spa facilities to elevate our overall offering in what is now a very competitive market.

“Stobo has generations of families who are our repeat guests, so we must strive we look to keep things exciting while appealing to the wider consumer market.”

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