Gleneagles Hotel launches exclusive Sporting Club
Scotland's Gleneagles Hotel has marked its centennial anniversary with the launch of a deluxe sporting club, complete with padel courts and a climbing and bouldering wall. Olivia Palamountain reports
Launched in August, 2024, the new Gleneagles Sporting Club represents a contemporary evolution of the estate's 100 years of sporting heritage.
Set beneath Perthshire's Ochil Hills, the club features upgraded equestrian facilities, indoor tennis courts, padel courts, and a climbing and bouldering wall. The development adds to the estate's existing portfolio of more than 50 country pursuits, which includes horse riding, fishing, golf and archery.
"This marks a real moment for Gleneagles, especially as we celebrate our 100th year," says Colin Farndon, director of Leisure. "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." The facility's design pays homage to 20th-century heritage tennis and polo clubs, featuring mid-century modern furniture, dark timber panelling, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
A spacious lounge area offers a relaxed environment for post-match relaxation or catching up on emails, complete with a self-serve kitchen pantry and leather detailing that references the estate's equestrian heritage.
The climbing facilities are particularly impressive, featuring a seven-metre high, 27-metre wide climbing and bouldering wall with over 40 routes of varying difficulty.
Speed climbing, recently announced as an Olympic sport, will be available for competitive guests. The club's specialist instructors will be on hand to guide beginners through the basics of bouldering and climbing techniques.The club has installed three padel courts - two doubles and a singles academy court - all featuring Mondo Supercourt XN artificial turf. Two indoor hard surface tennis courts complement the estate's five existing outdoor courts, enabling year-round play.
The equestrian facilities have received a significant upgrade, including a refurbished indoor arena and spacious individual changing rooms, plus an elegant new Boot and Hat Room, which combines traditional elements such as rustic wood panelling and wrought iron with contemporary accents. Expert instructors offer tailored riding lessons for all abilities, from dressage to showjumping and gentle hacks.
A courtside members' lounge, inspired by classic vintage tennis clubs, features cabana stripes and crisp whites. The dedicated boutique within the club offers an exclusive lifestyle range, featuring retro-inspired sportswear and accessories bearing the new Sporting Club logo, available only on site.Rates at The Gleneagles Hotel start from £550 per night for two people, including breakfast, with sporting activities priced separately. The club will offer both standalone memberships and add-on options for existing members.