New Archerfield spa gets seal of approval

Archerfield Links, the world-renowned East Lothian golf club and host of last week’s Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open, has been giving the cream of ladies European golf first sight of its new luxury spa facilities – due to open later this year.

Christened ‘The Fletcher’s Cottage’, and sited on the area where bows were made for the archers of King Edward I, Archerfield invited Sian Parry Jones to help them build something truly unique within Scotland.

Sian, a renowned beauty expert, has created spa experiences around the world, including facilities in Antigua and on the Mediterranean island of Majorca.

Sian said: “We are creating something that feels like a characterful old building, using lovely reclaimed materials that already exist on the estate. After all, there is so much history on this land.

“Our objective is to offer facilities and treatments that are utterly spoiling and man-friendly too. In my experience, spas should not only be relaxing but also invigorating and welcoming. The last thing we want is something coolly minimalist or coldly clinical.”

Special treatments and decorative touches are being considered such as lights suspended on lengths of hessian for unique illumination and hot tubs in the garden that resemble deep cauldrons in which giant linen teabags of seaweed will be steeped.

Last week Archerfield Links played host to the Aberdeen Ladies Scottish Open presented by EventScotland, won by Catriona Matthew, and competitors took the opportunity to look at how the spa was taking shape, and cheekily donned SOKO robes, created by an ethical workshop near Ukunda, Kenya – garments that will form a feature of The Fletcher’s Cottage. 

Scottish Ladies European Tour player Lynn Kenny said: “It was great to be back at Archerfield Links for the second year of the Ladies Scottish Open. The facilities are amazing, really world class, and I was so proud to be able to share these with so many fellow tour players. 

“I cannot wait to be back later in the year to enjoy some treatments at The Fletcher’s Cottage spa and relax here after a round of golf. Everything at Archerfield has that little touch of luxury, from the lodges where I’m staying this week to the fantastic standard of the golf courses – I am really looking forward to seeing just what happens next with the spa.”

Archerfield Links and The Fletcher’s Cottage are based around the beautiful country retreat of Archerfield House and within an estate that is rich with ancient heritage. Named after the archers of King Edward I, who pitched their tents here during the English invasion of 1298, the estate enjoyed a period as a stately home before being taken over by the British Army shortly after the outbreak of World War II, before falling into decline in the decades that followed. 

It was then brought back to life in recent times and two courses, the 7,000-yard Fidra and 7,000-yard Dirleton courses, created by senior tour professional David J. Russell, were opened in 2004 and 2006, respectively. 

*For further information visit www.archerfieldgolfclub.com or telephone: 01620 897050.