Cairndale Spa

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Cairndale Spa is Scotland’s newest adult-only destination spa, located within a family-owned hotel in centre of Dumfries, just a short drive from the Scottish Border and only an hour-and-a-half from Glasgow Airport. At the back of the hotel, you’ll find the beautifully designed two-storey spa with the hydropool at its heart, an excellent selection of thermals, a dedicated café and a juice bar.

WHAT’S ON OFFER?

Park at the back of the hotel and walk around the front to enter through the imposing door. You’ll find the spa reception through the back on your right – a calming space with a wooden slatted reception desk at the helm; three stylish glass pendant lights hang from the ceiling above, while shelves of Voya, Gaia and Tribe 517 products are ready for perusal. We were warmly welcomed by Katie - in her serene green spa uniform - and led a few steps through to the spa café to complete consultation forms and pre-select lunch from our personalised menus. A mango smoothie shot and sweet-orange-scented hot towel awaited us, along with a canvas Cairndale bag containing a towel and generously-sized robe in a gorgeous sage green with gold piping, plus matching slippers that can be taken home post spa-ing.

The corridor behind reception leads to the changing rooms, accessed via a key coded door. The noteworthy design pairs neutral wood and white with a charming and colourful artists’ palette-inspired wallpaper. Banks of half-size, code-operated lockers line the walls with cushioned benches below in which to change. There’s one private changing room, two loos and two square rainforest showers containing La Eva shampoo, conditioner and face and body wash. The vanity area has two round wooden mirrors and three hairdryer-cum-straightener combos. Help yourself to the complimentary Tribe 517 Face & Body Oil and cotton pads.

On this floor you’ll also find the six treatment rooms – two adjoined by sliding doors that open to become a double – and the post-treatment relaxation room with four comfy electric beds operated by remote control. Dried herbs and flowers hang on a rack on one wall, scenting the room.

Robes donned, our spa butler, Lewis, met us back in reception and led us down the spiral staircase for a tour of the facilities. On your immediate left: four water beds dressed in plum covers; behind here, the pool lounge with its sofas and wicker chairs with stone-coloured comfy cushions. You’ll find a gently heated herbal lounge with swinging wooden bench seats and - tucked in the corner - the petit juice bar serving smoothies, soft drinks, Prosecco, Bollinger and hot beverages. This whole area is separated from the thermal facilities by a glass wall, keeping it delightfully cool and quiet.

A door to the right leads through to the thermal area where the hydropool takes centre stage with its mermaid tiles and reflective ceiling. Pummel tired shoulders under one of three swan neck jets, relax on the two jet benches or jet beds, or bubble away in the Jacuzzi at the far end. Frosted glass windows line one whole wall with two woven egg chairs in the middle to curl up in. Around the outside are plenty of grey curved woven loungers with stripy towels rolled up on each, and round tables containing drinks menus and magazines.

Make sure you carve out enough time to explore the thermal rooms which line the perimeter. The Infra-red sauna – with back rest grids – can comfortably seat four to six people; the large Herbal Steam was super-hot and scented, with head-clearing Alaskan mint. The Aroma Steam - with its two curved mermaid tile benches - offers a gentler heat. In the corner, you’ll find an enormous Himalayan Salt Sauna complete with orange salt bricks and a star prickled ceiling; big enough for 18 people to toast in comfort and heated to 85 degrees on our visit. Hang towels on conveniently positioned gold hooks between toasting.

Couples can get hot and muddy in the rasul; soak in side-by-side black tubs in the Bathing Suite or get lathered up in the hammam – the only two-bed hammam in Scotland, apparently – all of which can be booked privately.

Cool down in the experience shower, the blue-glowing ice fountain or brave a dunk in the Brass Monkey Ice Bath - suitably chilled at 2 degrees with ice shards floating on the top.

TELL US ABOUT THE TREATMENTS

We tried the Lowland Surrender (75 minutes, £139).

Our therapists, Katie and Eve, met us in the pool lounge and led us up the spiral stairs to the double treatment room. Taking a seat, Katie soaked my feet in a copper bowl and applied Cairndale x Annandale Collection Reborn Smoothing Scrub; created from locally distilled Annandale whisky and vanilla balm with added brown sugar it smelt good enough to eat. She talked me through the treatment – a spa ritual for body, face, and scalp - asking about any areas of concern, before leaving me to disrobe and lay face down on the heated bed.

After applying a heat pad to my lower back (a lovely touch), Katie commenced the massage on the left side of my body, pouring deliciously hot oil on the soles of my feet all the way up to the very tops of my legs with long smooth movements. She methodically worked on each section – feet, lower leg and upper leg – before repeating this process on my left arm. Next, she spent a good chunk of time concentrating on the tension in my lower back before moving on to the right arm and leg.

Turning on to my back, Katie readjusted the bed and placed a heat pad onto my abdomen. After a few deep breaths to ground me, the facial element began using Tribe 517’s orange-scented products. After a cleanse, Katie spritzed the air with toner and commenced a face and scalp massage; even my ears got the VIP treatment. The treatment concluded with a foot cleanse and the chime of a bell before Katie tied a small piece of orange-scented ribbon around my ring finger. She asked me to place my left hand on my heart, take a big deep breath, and think of something I was grateful for – this made me smile and left me feeling calm and content.

Katie let me slowly come back to while she fetched me a glass of water and led me along the corridor to the relaxation room where I got comfy on a bed and sipped jasmine tea; my spa partner and I agreed the ritual didn’t miss a trick.

Cairndale Spa offers a wide range of facials, massages and holistic rituals from Tribe 517, Gaia, Voya and Cairndale X Annadale. Along with private experiences including the Rasul, Hammam and Bathing Experiences.

FOOD FACTS

You can feast in your robe in the spa café which is flooded with natural light through windows; the slatted wood and gold bar - with pale pink stools - sits beneath four statement gold and glass duo pendants lights. Bottles of Bolly line the shelves tempting spa-goers to start (or end) their day in style.

Superfood salads, Beer Battered Atlantic Cod Fillet and Ramen all feature on the menu, there’s also a tempting selection of desserts, plus afternoon teas, wine and fizz.

For our two-course lunch, we feasted on slow cooked pork Bao Bun and Kimchi to start, followed by the Seared Salmon Ramen for main. Our spa partner enjoyed the Smoked Haddock and Leek Arancini, followed by the Chicken Burger. All washed down with the recommended Newby Rooibos Tiramisu tea (like a pud without the calories) served in glass teapots.

If you’re staying overnight, you can dine in the hotel’s newly-designed lounge. We loved the palette of deep greens, golds and statement lighting. Bagging a seat in the bay window, we tucked into the Panko Crusted Chicken Burger with siracha mayo and a side of Truffle and Parmesan Fries; our spa partner plumped for the Cairndale Steak Burger.

We ordered the Cairndale Eton Mess (and two spoons) to finish; the mini meringues and strawberry jelly chunks hitting the sweet spot.

WE LOVED / WE DIDN’T LOVE

We loved

The well-designed facilities: while we loved trying out all the saunas and steam rooms, a dunk in the Brass Monkey Ice Bath was a firm favourite with this cold-loving Spa Spy.

The treatments: every little detail of the ritual felt thoroughly considered, with therapists that know their stuff.

The staff: everyone we encountered was friendly and welcoming, from the spa butlers (Lewis & Jenny) and Katie in the spa, to Justin in the café.

We didn’t love

The hotel bedrooms, although comfortable - have yet to have the same high-end design as the spa (although we’re told the refurb is underway).

WHO DO YOU THINK WOULD LIKE IT?

Couples will love all the private spa-ing activities – paint each other in mud in the rasul, soak in side-by-side seaweed baths or hold hands while getting lathered up in the hammam.

Treatment afficionados can choose between interesting and carefully curated rituals and massages, using beautiful nature-inspired brands.

Besties: we saw several girlies catching up poolside with a glass of Bolly.

WHICH BUBBLE RATING DID YOU AWARD THIS SPA?

We awarded Cairndale Spa our highest Good Spa Guide Bubble Rating of 5 Bubble Luxury for its beautiful design and attention to detail; great choice of thermals; super friendly spa staff; and inventive, thoughtful treatments. Cairndale really has raised the bar for Scottish spas.

Scarlet Spy visited in March 2025 and awarded it 5 Bubble Luxury.