Holy Cow, Getting Pampered in the Cowshed
hen The Scotsman Hotel moved into the former offices of The Scotsman, Edinburgh’s leading newspaper, the deluxe digs kept much of the character of the baronial 19th century publishing headquarters with its towers and turrets: carved walnut walls, stained glass windows, the Italian marble staircase, even the gilded lettering on the ornate sandstone facade. There are Editor and Publisher rooms, the breakfast menu is in newspaper format, and the chinaware replicates the June 24, 1953, front page story of the Queen’s historic visit.
But the vast basement, formerly the paper’s evening newsroom, took a decidedly contemporary turn; it is the unlikely home of Cowshed, the hotel’s sleek and sophisticated spa. Opened in 2004, it got its bucolic name comes from its sibling spa at Babington House, a country house hotel in Somerset, England, that is housed in, well, a former cow shed.
Several steel bridges cross the airy spaces connecting Cowshed and Escape, the two-level health club with its wide variety of fitness machines, sauna and steam rooms, Arctic and tropical showers, and stunning 53-foot stainless steel swimming pool. Along the way you pass milk pails, cow-skin rugs, bales of hay, and statues of small colorfully painted calves and large black and white Holsteins. Clearly, the spa designers were having fun with Cowshed, milking it for all it was worth.
So were the spa menu writers. A couple of weeks before arriving in Edinburgh, I studied a playful menu of offerings to book my spa
When you want a break from spa treatments, workouts in the air-conditioned gym on its sixty or so fitness machines, and exercise classes, the pleasures of old and new Edinburgh are literally outside your door.
appointment. Among the massages, I could have the Pampered Cow, a full body massage with aromatherapy oils; the Pummelled Cow, an intense massage with deep-tissue techniques; the Stoned Cow, with hot and cold volcanic stones; Double Cream, head-to-toe massage with two therapists; On the Hoof, reflexology with foot massage; Indian Cow, ancient Indian techniques applied to head, neck and shoulders.
Facials included the Cowgirl and the Cowboy, and Speedy Cow, the half-pint version. Among the appealing Wraps and Scrubs were Salt Lick, a full body brushing, exfoliation and massage; Mucky Cow, a mud wrap; and Rawhide, featuring exfoliation.
By the time I arrived in Edinburgh for my Cowgirl appointment, those playful cows were out to pasture. The treatments were all still there, but soberly renamed. No matter, I was still booked for the signature facial, now simply called the Cowshed Facial (55 minutes, 60).
Amanda, my therapist, took me into one of the five treatment rooms, and after a 15-minute skin analysis, began the facial. Here are her notes:
- Cleansed with lemongrass and aloe vera Grubby Cow Cleansing Milk.
2. Toned with rose water and lavender Poor Cow Gentle Toner. - Exfoliated with Flaky Cow Facial Cream Exfoliator, containing geranium oil and walnut shells, then steam.
- Applied Mucky Cow Facial Mask, with neroli and rose oils.
- Meanwhile, massaged with On The Hoof Hand & Foot Cream, containing lavender and grapefruit.
- Moisturized with Cheeky Cow Rejuvenating Facial Moisturizer, containing rose and benzoin.
- Finally, applied Lippy Cow Lip Balm, with rose geranium and ylang ylang oils.
Along the way Amanda included a shoulder, neck, and scalp massage, but I was too relaxed to remember exactly where it fitted in.
Despite Cowshed’s amusing names, these are serious 100 percent organic products using a combination of flower and plant oils that contain an infusion of hand-picked herbs from the walled garden at Babington House.
What clients love, said Amanda, is that the products are entirely natural.
In addition to its renamed spa menu, Cowshed had also added an appealing Cowgroom package in which two therapists work in synchronized movements, usually one on your upper body and the other on your lower half. It starts with a rose petal foot soak and peppermint salt scrub exfoliation, followed by forehead pressure-point and shoulder massages. Next is a Cowgroom session (25 minutes, 70 or 55 minutes 100), which offers a choice of procedures, among them a facial, scalp massage, manicure, pedicure, eye and nail treatments, in various configurations. All of them, along with the other forty or so massage, facial, wraps and scrubs, maintenance, and other offerings are listed on the website.
Body treatments, for instance, include Indian Head Massage (25 min., 35). Head, neck & shoulders are massaged using ancient Indian techniques.
- Back Massage (35min., £45) for the problem areas of the back.
- Salt Scrub (35min., £45). Full body brushing followed by a complete deep exfoliation using sea salt immersed in peppermint oil and finished with conditioning contour cream.
- Reflexology (55min., £60), a foot massage promoting deep relaxation of the body.
- Cowshed Massage (55 min., £60), a full body massage using signature cowshed essential oils to soothe, invigorate or deeply relax.
- Sports Massage (55min., £65), a deep tissue massage to help alleviate specific concerns
- Synchronized Massage (65min., £110). Two therapists work in synchronized movements ensuring complete pampering and relaxation.
- Hot Stone Massage (80 min., £90). Volcanic basalt stones, bathed in warm water and anointed with spicy sensual aromas, are placed on key energy points of the body and used to massage using traditional techniques to ease pain and tension.
- Cowshed Salt Scrub and Massage (85min., £90). A full body brushing followed by deep exfoliation and a Cowshed Massage to finish.
- Cowshed Wrap (70min., 75). Full body exfoliation using either natural sea salts or organic yoghurt, coconut and honey scrub followed by a fresh body wrap of your choice. Finished with a gentle scalp massage and hair mask (optional) then full body moisturizing.
Face
- Skin Analysis (15min., Complimentary)
- Collagen Eye Treatment (25min., £38), concentrating on the delicate area of the eyes incorporating pressure point massage and a collagen eye mask. to detoxify, reduce puffiness and combat fine lines.
- Speedy Facial (25min., £35), includes facial cleansing, exfoliation, steam, customized mask and scalp massage.
- Hydrating Facial (70 min. £80) for very dry and dehydrated skins. It also includes a relaxing face, shoulder, neck and scalp massage
- Vitamin C (Anti Ageing Facial) (70min., £80). Combines Vitamin A & C so skin will look radiant, luminous, and firmer. Includes a relaxing face, shoulder, neck and scalp massage.
- Calming Facial (70min., £80) to help calm and sooth irritated skin. It also includes a relaxing face, shoulder, neck and scalp massage
- Deep Cleansing Facial (70min., £80) for oily and acne skin. Helps to reduce oil and detoxify the skin. Includes steam, extractions and a relaxing shoulder and scalp massage.
- Reviving Skin Peel (25min., 40; 55min., £70), an intense peel with vitamin boosters, leaving your skin feeling smooth, youthful and more refined. Excellent for fine lines, scarring, congested or sun damaged skin.
Various manicures and pedicures start at £25 for 25 minutes, waxings are £10 to £53, lash and brow tints from £12.
When you want a break from spa treatments, workouts in the air-conditioned gym on its sixty or so fitness machines, and exercise classes, the pleasures of old and new Edinburgh are literally outside your door. The hotel is superbly located between the Old and New Towns, one block south of the shops and museums of Princes St, and one block north of the historic Royal Mile that connects Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official Scottish residence.
The refurbished hotel has 68 handsome rooms and suites, with high speed and wireless internet access, printers, two noted restaurants, and Cowshed bathroom amenities, among them Grumpy Cow Morning Body Wash, Bullock Bracing Body Wash, Highland Cow Restorative Bath Foam, Knackered Cow Relaxing Bath Foam, Cowlick Shampoo, and Saucy Cow Softening Conditioner. Holy cow, there’s just no escaping the thundering herd.
Low season doubles from L200; see website for special packages.
The Scotsman
20 North Bridge
Edinburgh
Tel: 011-44 (0)131-556-5565
Cowshed Tel: 011-44 (0)131-622-3800
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