Latest news with #Lithgow
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Inside luxury Scottish hotel's epic new spa, which includes the country's largest outdoor sauna
As wellness travel demand continues to grow, the four-star Gleddoch Golf & Spa Resort - situated on a 350 acre estate near Glasgow - has just unveiled its vast new Imperia Spa. The glamorous multi-million-pound addition has been inspired by the hotel's history, as it was the former home, built in 1926, of shipbuilding magnate Baron Lithgow. This has translated into bling interiors that are inspired by the golden age of travel, with luxury materials including black marble and crystal. They even have a swimming pool that's finished in shades of antique gold and obsidian black. It's flanked by sun loungers, with golden tables that look like they've been designed for the deck of a cruise ship. The pool may be impressive, but the piece de resistance at this new attraction, which is open to hotel residents or guests, must be their Scandinavian dream of an outdoor sauna. It's the biggest in Scotland and, they say, probably the largest in the UK. It sits 18 people, so you could probably get a rugby team in there, without it turning into a game of sweaty sardines. While you toast in here, you can take in the soothing green views down to Ben Lomond. And, whenever you're ready to cool down, there's a cold plunge pool nearby, as well as an al-fresco Jacuzzi. In addition, guests can benefit from other immersive thermal experiences inside the spa. Highlights include the aroma steam room and sinus-clearing salt steam room alongside a pink Himalayan salt sauna. On the terrace, the heated loungers, on a checkered tile floor, offer views across the estate to the estuary. Their other new attractions include a plush and flatteringly low-lit changing rooms, an ice fountain, sensory showers and a boutique-y wellbeing studio, which offers various classes including Pilates and yoga, plus a gym with Peloton bike and free weights, among other things. In the seven treatment rooms, you can experience therapies from beauty brands Natura Bissé, Elemis, Temple Spa, and Ayurvedic specialists, Tri-Dosha. These range from a Natura Bissé Quiro Golf Massage (£120) to the Samvahana Synchronised Four-Hand Ayurvedic Massage (£185), which involves a pair of therapists working their magic. Gleddoch Spa's current entry level packages include a Twilight Spa Experience, from 7-9pm daily. It incorporates use of their new facilities, plus a one-course dinner, for £75. Or the top-of-the-range Signature Spa Day is £299 and includes two 60 minute treatments, a two-course lunch and use of the facilities all day from 9.30am until 4.30pm. You can also experience the new Palm Room orangery, which is filled with the eponymous plant, and The Veranda lounge, where Chopin plays and the air is scented with Persian jasmine. Both are inspired by the destinations that were visited by Lithgow's ships. As spa resort general manager, James Anderson, says 'Every detail of Imperia has been designed to surprise and delight, creating an escape unlike anything else in Scotland. This is not just a spa; it's an experience where indulgence, heritage, and contemporary wellness meet'.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Sydney, Melbourne weather: How cold it will get as high-pressure system strikes
A powerful high-pressure system parked over southeastern Australia has triggered a week of icy temperatures, just ahead of the year's shortest and darkest day of the year. Clear skies have spread across New South Wales and Victoria, with the system expected to keep clouds away into the weekend. While the days are sunny and mild, the nights have turned bitterly cold, leading to widespread frost and sub-zero temperatures. The Bureau of Meteorology's Jonathon How explained the system can cause cool mornings. 'We've got high pressure sitting on top of us which basically means sinking air, sinking air generally clears skies, number one,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'Number two, it brings dry air down to the surface and that can mean cold nights.' Dry air, which contains less water vapor, traps less heat, allowing temperatures to plunge overnight. On Thursday morning, regions along the Great Dividing Range - from Victoria to Queensland - recorded temperatures below -4C. Marrangaroo, west of Lithgow in NSW, saw the coldest reading at a bone-chilling -7.7C. Frosts are forecast to continue across NSW, Victoria, Tasmania's highlands, eastern South Australia, and parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory, including Roma and Alice Springs. The cold snap is expected to ease slightly over the weekend as the high-pressure system begins to move offshore. 'Overnight temperatures will gradually start to climb again and it won't be as icy,' Mr How said. Sydney's overnight lows could rise from 6C to 13C by late next week, thanks to a front bringing warmer northerly winds. The timing coincides with the winter solstice on Saturday, marking the darkest and shortest day of the year. 'You've got long nights and the longer the darkness the more that heat can leave the Earth's surface,' he said. 'And you've got less daytime to warm it up again. So we've really been approaching the coldest time of the year.' Hobart will see the least daylight of all capital cities - just nine hours and one minute. Sydney will get 9 hours and 54 minutes, while Darwin, being furthest north, will enjoy 11 hours and 24 minutes. Meanwhile, in the west, Perth braces for wet and windy weather as another cold front rolls in from the ocean, bringing rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds. Canberra Friday: Morning frost. Mostly sunny. Min -5C. Max 13C. Saturday: Morning frost. Sunny. Min -4C. Max 15C. Sunday: Morning frost. Mostly sunny. Min -4C. Max 14C. Sydney Friday: Mostly sunny. Min 6C. Max 17C. Saturday: Sunny. Min 7C. Max 18C. Sunday: Sunny. Min 8C. Max 19C. Brisbane Friday: Partly cloudy. Min 13C. Max 23C. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Min 14C. Max 23C. Sunday: Partly cloudy. Min 15C. Max 24C. Melbourne Friday: Sunny. Min 6C. Max 16C. Saturday: Sunny. Min 5C. Max 16C. Sunday: Sunny. Min 6C. Max 16C. Hobart Friday: Partly cloudy. Min 8C. Max 17C. Saturday: Mostly sunny. Min 7C. Max 17C. Sunday: Mostly sunny. Min 7C. Max 15C. Adelaide Friday: Sunny. Min 9C. Max 19C. Saturday: Sunny. Min 9C. Max 19C. Sunday: Shower or two. Min 10C. Max 22C. Darwin Friday: Sunny. Min 20C. Max 31C. Saturday: Mostly sunny. Min 21C. Max 31C. Sunday: Mostly sunny. Min 20C. Max 30C. Perth Friday: Rain increasing. Min 13C. Max 21C. Saturday: Showers. Min 8C. Max 17C. Sunday: Showers. Min 9C. Max 19C.
The Guardian
4 days ago
- Science
- The Guardian
‘Mind-blowing': inside the highest human-occupied ice age site found in Australia
When Erin Wilkins first stood inside the cavernous Dargan shelter, she was awestruck. 'You don't understand how big it is until you step inside and you're this tiny little thing inside this massive bowl,' she says. 'You just had to sit and take it in.' The Darug and Wiradjuri woman's instincts told her that this yawning cave, on a Darug songline in the upper reaches of the Blue Mountains, held ancient stories. She was right. New scientific evidence has revealed people lived in the shelter during the last ice age 20,000 years ago, when the high country was treeless, frozen and – until now – believed to be too hostile for human habitation. Archaeologists say the huge rock hollow was a camping spot 'kind of like the Hyatt of the mountains', occupied continuously until about 400 years ago. At an elevation of 1,073 metres, it is the highest human-occupied ice age site found in Australia. It also aligns the continent for the first time with global findings that icy climates did not prevent humans from travelling at high altitudes in ancient times. The groundbreaking study was a collaboration between archaeologists and Aboriginal custodians who have spent six years mapping rock shelters across the greater Blue Mountains area, spanning 1m hectares of mostly untouched wilderness west of Sydney. Some sites are known only to a handful of Aboriginal people or intrepid bushwalkers. Others have only just been rediscovered. Dargan shelter, a mysterious cave on private property near Lithgow, had long been a place of interest due to its location on a ridge line connecting east to west. In 2021 Wayne Brennan, a Gomeroi archaeologist, and Dr Amy Mosig Way, a research archaeologist at the University of Sydney and the Australian Museum, got a permit to excavate it. Working alongside six Aboriginal groups, they dug to a depth of 2.3 metres, sifting through the sandy layers to reveal the cave's secrets. They unearthed 693 artefacts. Among them was a 9,000-year-old anvil, probably used for cracking seeds and nuts. A little deeper they found a sandstone grinding slab from about 13,000 years ago, its grooves suggesting it was used to shape bone or wooden implements. Radiocarbon dating confirmed the oldest evidence of human habitation was about 20,000 years old. Way says the 'remarkable' findings show a continuous sequence of occupation from the ice age until about 400 years ago. 'It's just such a kind of mind-blowing experience when you unearth an artefact that was last touched by someone 20,000 years ago,' she says. 'It's almost like the passing of the object through time from one hand to the other.' For Brennan, the findings resonate on a deeper level. The rock art expert has spent decades poking around caves in the mountains but had never seen anything like Dargan shelter. 'I sit in there and feel like I'm shaking hands with the past,' he says. Brennan discusses the findings not in terms of specific dates but in reference to 'deep time'. 'Deep time is a term that I use, in a sense, to connect the archaeology and the Tjukurpa [the creation period that underpins Aboriginal lore],' he says. 'Because with the Tjukurpa, it's timeless.' This weaving of scientific and cultural knowledge was central to helping the researchers interpret the findings and understand how the cave would have been used in ancient times. Brennan says it was probably a 'guesthouse on the way to a ceremony place'. The study has upended long-held beliefs about the way humans moved through the mountains – showing that people not only traversed the high country but stayed there for long periods. The site is now 'the most significant archaeological landscape in Australia in terms of ice age occupation', according to Way. Local Aboriginal custodians hope the research will help secure more protection for their cultural places, many of which were damaged during the 2019 bushfires. The greater Blue Mountains area holds deep significance for the Darug, Wiradjuri, Gomeroi, Dharawal, Wonnarua and Ngunnawal peoples. It was listed as a Unesco world heritage site in 2000 for its flora and fauna but this did not extend to recognise cultural heritage. Wilkins, who is also a cultural educator with the Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation, would like to see that change. 'It's important to preserve [cultural heritage] – not only for Australian history or for archaeology but for our people for generations to come,' she says. As more sites are 'reawakened', Wilkins says, there is a profound effect on her people and her country. 'It strengthens who we are and it strengthens and heals country,' she says. 'We're back listening to her stories. We're back sitting with our ancestors of yesterday.'
Scottish Sun
10-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
First look inside stunning new spa at Scots hotel after multi-million pound revamp including a jet black pool room
The new look spa features the UK's largest outdoor sauna REVITALISED First look inside stunning new spa at Scots hotel after multi-million pound revamp including a jet black pool room Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN iconic resort hotel is unveiling a revamped new spa this month after spending millions on the glow-up. And the stunning relaxation destination has some seriously cool features - including a jet black pool room. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 There's a super cool, jet black pool room 8 The spa will be a 'decadent tribute to the grandeur of a bygone age' 8 It will have the UK's largest outdoor sauna 8 The Imperia Spa opens this month Gleddoch Hotel & Spa Resort, one of Scotland's most beautiful, privately-owned estates, is poised to open the Imperia Spa. Set across 350 acres of rolling countryside, just 20 minutes from Glasgow, the multi-million-pound development will be a 'decadent tribute to the grandeur of a bygone age', according to hotel insiders. Inspired by Gleddoch's heritage as the stately home of shipbuilding magnate, Baron Lithgow, and by the majestic salons of Europe's grand imperial hotels, the Imperia Spa is all about elegance and excess. The wellness venue is drenched in gold, obsidian black and marble, and adorned with quilted upholstery and fluted crystal - giving all the hallmarks of old-world luxury. Announcing the development, Gleddoch's General Manager James Anderson said:"The Imperia Spa is the culmination of a vision: to create a destination that transcends trends and defines its own standard of luxury. "Every moment, every detail has been carefully considered and is designed to delight and transport our guests to another world. "We are proud to introduce a spa experience that will not only elevate Gleddoch but further position Scotland among the world's most distinguished spa destinations." Phase one of the development, opening this month, introduces a stunning collection of artistic features inspired by the distant shores once visited by the ships of Baron Lithgow. Highlights include a breathtaking antique gold and obsidian black indoor pool, the exotic Palm Room orangery filled with rare palms and the grand Veranda, an open-air lounge infused with the intricate elegance of Moorish design. Designed to surprise and delight at every turn, The Imperia Spa promises guests a series of curated 'moments of delight', from the soft strains of Chopin, cooling fresh mint towels and the scent of Persian jasmine on arrival, to bespoke spa rituals tailored precisely to each guest's desires. W Edinburgh Crowned Scotland's Hotel of the Year 2025 For indulgence and relaxation, Imperia Spa will feature the UK's largest outdoor sauna with panoramic views over the Clyde Estuary and rolling Renfrewshire hills to Ben Lomond. Guests will also discover a full range of thermal facilities including a pink Himalayan salt sauna, aroma steam room, salt steam room, ice fountain, heated loungers, hydrotherapy pool and cold plunge. In addition, the spa will offer a serene spa restaurant, a wellbeing studio, a state-of-the-art fitness suite, seven luxurious treatment rooms and dedicated sanctuaries for pre and post-treatment relaxation. Signature treatments will be provided using product partners including Natura Bissé, Elemis, Temple Spa and Ayurvedic specialists, Tri-Dosha. 8 Gleddoch is 20 minutes outside Glasgow 8 The pool has black and gold features 8 Gleddoch looks over the Clyde Estuary
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Camper's warning to Aussies after deadly discovery near tent: 'Holy crap'
Most Aussie adventurers will know that even the best-laid camping plans can hit a few curveballs along the way — be it equipment mishaps, road problems or wild weather. Now, outdoorsman Jamie has issued a warning to Aussies to be extra aware of their surroundings in wet conditions after making a deadly discovery near his tent on a recent trip. Jamie and his brother, from Sydney, were setting up a campsite in Turon National Park near Lithgow in NSW in the pouring rain, at night, when they came across a tiny critter. The male funnel-web spider was spotted crawling around beside the tent they had just pitched. The arachnid species, which is endemic to Australia, is widely considered the world's deadliest spider due to its "highly toxic" and "fast-acting" venom. In all of the fatalities where the gender of the spider was confirmed, the males were responsible. They're commonly found in eastern Australia, particularly throughout NSW. "We were setting up our camp and my brother spotted it," Jamie told Yahoo News. "I thought 'holy crap'." Jamie and his brother, who have been camping since childhood, have seen the spiders before and said they knew what they were looking out for. He explained that the male funnel-webs are more slender and shiny while the females are "fatter". Jamie, a personal trainer, believes it was likely a male on the move looking for a female mate. But surprisingly, he said he "wasn't too worried" about the discovery and decided against moving his campsite, arguing that they are "everywhere" in the bush. "You've just got to be aware," he urged Aussies. "Make sure your gear is in the car, don't leave your shoes out and check them before you put them on. We made sure we had our swags and tents zipped up and just guided it along to get it out of our camp, and we were fine from there," he said. "If you leave them alone, they will leave you alone." 🕷️ Venomous spider warning after 'perfect storm' of extreme weather events 🕸️ Aussie teen lucky to survive after waking up to burning pain in his arm 🥰 Millions amazed by man's 'special' encounter in rural Australia Jamie told Yahoo he sees "a lot" of different animals while out camping in Australia's bush. On his most recent three-day trip, while fishing for trout, they came across snakes, spiders, kangaroos, as well as invasive species including pigs, wild cats and even goats. "Goats are everywhere," he said. When it comes to avoiding deadly spiders, Jamie suggests Aussies looking for a good campsite should "stick to flat ground" and "try not to go out in those rainy and most environments", when spiders are most active. "You don't have to be scared of them, they're not out to get you. They're always going to be out there, and just be aware," he said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
