Set beneath the Ochil Hills in the heart of Perthshire, Scotland, The Gleneagles Hotel has been one of the UK’s most iconic hotels and sporting estates since opening its doors in June 1924. In August, the legendary estate unveiled the brand-new Gleneagles Sporting Club, a destination that delivers contemporary athletic experiences, in a space that blends nostalgia with state-of-the-art facilities and a chic sporting vibe.
“This marks a real moment for Gleneagles, especially as we celebrate our 100th year this year. We’re known as one of the UK’s most innovative sporting estates, and are always looking at how we can continue to deliver on that expectation. With the introduction of the Gleneagles Sporting Club, we’re adding a contemporary take to our classic pursuits, and become one of the first luxury hotels in the world to offer this range of activities under one roof”, said Colin Farndon, director of leisure.
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The lounge blends mid-century modern furniture and rich dark timber paneling, with floor-to-ceiling windows, flooding the space with ample natural lighting. The cosy and comfortable seating and self-serve ideology of the kitchen pantry give a laid-back, homely feel, while the rich leather detailing throughout the lounge nods to the equestrian sports available in the club, capturing the classic equestrian style. Completing the open-plan lounge is a dedicated retail area showcasing the club’s covetable lifestyle range. Featuring retro wooden merchandising displays and bold timber paneling, the new athleisure-wear range is on display, designed exclusively for the Gleneagles Sporting Club and only available to purchase on-site.
The launch of the Gleneagles Sporting Club marks a new era of pursuits at the Glorious Playground. Moving towards the back of the club, the space features upgraded equestrian facilities, including the indoor arena and glamorous new boot room, alongside two indoor tennis courts, three padel courts and a climbing and bouldering wall, offering private tuition with some of Scotland’s finest coaches.
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Tennis and Padel
Padel is the fastest-growing racquet sport in the world due to its simplicity and is available for guests at Gleneagles Sporting Club. Featuring three courts – two doubles and a singles academy court – all with Mondo Supercourt XN artificial turf, each of the new courts can be booked for one-hour sessions, with doubles being the recommended format of this sociable sport. Gleneagles’ experts are on hand to offer guidance and tips to get you started, and there’s even bespoke padel coaching available to help guests go from complete beginner to padel pro.
The Gleneagles Sporting Club will also feature two indoor hard-surface tennis courts. Tennis has been an integral part of the Gleneagles experience for a century, and the estate already offers five of the best outdoor tennis courts Scotland has to offer. With the indoor courts, guests will be able to practise and compete all year round.
Climbing & Bouldering
With the introduction of a seven-metre high and 27-metre wide state-of-the-art indoor climbing and bouldering wall, come hail, rain or high winds, not even the weather can stop the adrenaline-filled sensation of scaling heady heights. For those new to the sport, bouldering is a form of free climbing and was initially used as a method of training for roped climbs or mountaineering at a relatively safe distance from the ground. Now, as one of the UK’s trendiest pastimes, Gleneagles’ specialist instructors will be on hand to teach beginners to move or traverse horizontally from one side of the wall to the next, focusing on the efficient movement of the body.
With over 40 routes to the top of the seven-metre wall, and with varying grades of difficulty, there’s a climbing challenge for everyone. Gleneagles’ team of instructors will get you harnessed up and clipped in and you will be scaling the heights in no time. They’ll introduce you to the skills needed to climb safely with auto-belays so whether you start with the simplest route or want to test yourself as the session progresses, you’ll be taught several techniques to help you reach the top.
To satisfy those with a competitive edge, speed climbing will also be on offer. Recently announced as an Olympic sport, speed climbing involves participants attempting to climb a matching route to reach the top of the vertical wall as fast as possible. It is a great way to introduce some healthy competition amongst friends and family and something to cheer about once everyone has set a personal best.
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When it comes to horse riding in Scotland, the Gleneagles Equestrian School stands head and shoulders above the rest. The Gleneagles Sporting Club is home to a refurbished indoor arena, spacious individual changing rooms and locker facilities, alongside a new Boot and Hat Room for guests to get fitted with before their lesson. Inspired by the traditional aesthetic of the saddler and blacksmith, the Boot and Hat Room offers a stylish spot to prepare for a ride, with rustic wood panelling, bold wrought iron and soft leather details evoking the estate’s iconic stables, with a modern design twist.
Once kitted out with boots and a hat, guests will journey through to the newly refurbished indoor arena and stable yard, where they will experience some of the best riding lessons Scotland has to offer. Tailored to meet the needs of all abilities – whether it be dressage, showjumping or a gentle hack – Gleneagles’ team of horse riding instructors will be on hand to perfect the technique of even the most accomplished riders.
Boutique
Completing The Gleneagles Sporting Club will be a stylish boutique showcasing the Club’s brand-new lifestyle range. Exclusive to Gleneagles, the collection features effortlessly chic sportswear designed with a retro feel, alongside covetable accessories including caps, water bottles and towels featuring the new Sporting Club logo. With a glamorous vintage atmosphere, the boutique’s design will be finished with bold timber paneling, retro merchandising displays and heritage-inspired leather detailing.
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Media Contact
Perowne International
Gleneaglesus@perowneinternational.com
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About Gleneagles
Since opening its doors in June 1924, Gleneagles has been one of Scotland’s most iconic hotels and sporting estates. Set beneath the Ochil Hills, in the heart of Perthshire, it has been the must-go destination for travelers for a century. Beginning its life in the glamorous age of travel when guests arrived in great style at Gleneagles’ very own train station, the 850-acre estate epitomizes the natural beauty for which Scotland is famed. With its Glorious Playground of country pursuits and activities, the hotel continues to hold pride of place on the social calendar. Further cementing its position as a global leading luxury hospitality brand, Gleneagles is number 32 in The World’s 50 Best Hotels – also receiving their inaugural Art of Hospitality award, ranked among the best hotels in the world in the 2024 Travel + Leisure ‘Top 500 Hotels’ list, and was named the 2024 ‘Hotel of the Year’, ‘Countryside Hotel of the Year’ and ‘Scottish Hotel of the Year’ by The Times and The Sunday Times. Most recently, the property was awarded 3 Michelin-keys.
