Gleneagles has introduced Frandy Water, a new outdoor wellness experience combining a wood-fired sauna, freshwater immersion and water-based activities in the Perthshire countryside.

Gleneagles has expanded its wellness offering with the launch of Frandy Water, a new outdoor experience centred on contrast therapy, cold-water immersion and nature-based activities in the Perthshire countryside.

The experience is located beside Frandy Water, a reservoir set beneath the Ochil Hills around 15 minutes from the hotel. Designed to connect guests more closely with the natural landscape, Frandy Water combines a wood-fired sauna with freshwater swimming, building on growing interest in outdoor wellness and thermal therapy experiences.

Guests begin the Frandy Water experience with a private Land Rover Defender transfer from the hotel to the reservoir. On arrival, they are guided through either a 90-minute or 120-minute contrast therapy session, alternating between the heat of a panoramic wood-fired sauna and the cold waters of the reservoir.

The sauna accommodates up to six people and has been positioned to maximise views across the surrounding hills and water. Between hot and cold cycles, guests can relax on a private deck with blankets, herbal teas and refreshments beside a fire pit.

According to Gleneagles, the experience has been designed to provide a more private and guided alternative to the increasingly popular trend for public outdoor saunas and wild swimming. The setting focuses on simple natural elements including water, wood, wind and open skies rather than traditional spa facilities.

Carlos Urrutigoity, director of wellness at Gleneagles, says: "Moving between hot and cold can help boost circulation, speed up muscle recovery and flush out inflammation, all while resetting the nervous system. It improves stress resilience, mood and mental clarity. The unique thing about this contrast is that guests don't just feel deeply relaxed - they feel energised afterwards too."

Beyond the sauna experience, Frandy Water also serves as a base for a range of outdoor activities introduced by Gleneagles in 2025. Guests can explore the reservoir by Canadian canoe or sit-on-top kayak, while anglers can fish for brown and rainbow trout alongside experienced local ghillies.

The launch forms part of a broader evolution of the hotel's wellness strategy, which increasingly combines traditional spa treatments with outdoor pursuits and physical activity. Rather than confining wellbeing experiences to dedicated spa facilities, Gleneagles is expanding its offering into the surrounding landscape, encouraging guests to engage directly with Perthshire's natural environment.

Frandy Water follows the opening of the Gleneagles Sporting Club in 2024, a dedicated facility featuring indoor tennis courts, padel courts and climbing walls. Together, the developments reflect a growing focus on active and experiential wellness, a trend that continues to gain momentum across the luxury hospitality sector.

Outdoor sauna culture has grown rapidly in recent years, particularly across Northern Europe and the UK, where interest in cold-water swimming and contrast therapy has moved from niche wellness communities into the mainstream. Hotels and resorts are increasingly responding by developing nature-led experiences that combine physical benefits with access to scenic landscapes.

At Gleneagles, Frandy Water positions the Scottish countryside itself as part of the wellness offering. Whether guests choose to alternate between sauna sessions and cold-water dips, paddle across the reservoir or spend time fishing on the water, the experience is designed to encourage a slower pace and a stronger connection to the surrounding environment.

Prices for Frandy Water start from £220 for a 90-minute session for two people, with additional guests charged £80 per person. Rooms at Gleneagles start from £595 per night based on two people sharing, including breakfast.