This year, the ‘Glorious Playground’ that is Gleneagles celebrates its centenary, commemorating its extraordinary journey from its founding in 1924 to becoming Scotland’s (and most certainly one of the UK’s) most talked-about luxury destinations.
A lot happens in a century. In the world of travel and hospitality alone, the last hundred years have transformed travel from luxury rail journeys to sleek private jets, from grand steamships to hydrogen-powered superyachts. It’s an era that witnessed the building of history-making grand dame hotels with glamorous ballrooms, the rise of conceptual boutique places to stay and a fast-paced digital revolution that has reshaped (and continues to reshape) how we explore the world.
A hundred years ago in 1924, in the lush rolling hills of Perthshire, the Gleneagles Hotel was born. Described then as ‘the eighth wonder of the world’, its opening called royals, the rich, raconteurs and the rambunctious to its champagne and socialite-gossip fueled balls, manicured croquet lawns and some puckish afterparties, in its opulent quarters, we’d imagine!
Gleneagles began as the vision of Donald Matheson – the general manager of the prominent, not to mention wealthy, Caledonian Railway Company – who dreamt of creating a ‘Palace in the Glens.’ From its inception, the hotel was designed to offer the finest in hospitality, with luxurious rooms, exquisite dining and a ‘playground’ of outdoor activities – including its world-famous golf course – that leveraged the stunning Scottish landscape.
A hundred years later, Gleneagles continues to honour its storied, distinctively Scottish past, while evolving to exceed the expectations of today’s travellers who check in to experience its warm hospitality, culturally rich offerings and unbound outdoor pursuits.
As part of its centennial celebrations, Gleneagles is a hub of festivities. There is exclusive programming throughout the year – and perhaps even into the next, due to popularity – to pay homage to the hotel’s history and highlight the influences that have shaped its identity.
Notable, is a new collaboration with Barbour, the iconic British outerwear brand, producing a limited-edition capsule collection that defines both brands’ heady sense of adventure, in style. The new Gleneagles x Barbour Centenary unisex wax jacket forms the classic silhouette of Barbour’s Bedale wax design, featuring a unique ruby corduroy collar, chunky two-way zip and exclusive Gleneagles Centenary embroidery.
In the spirit of taking the high road, Gleneagles put a 100-year twist on its Great Adventure Race earlier this year. Usually a 55km escapade, this even more arduous edition puts participants through their paces but nearly doubling to 100km – a kilometre for every year of history – comprising an 8km canoe row across a loch, a 22km trail run over two beautiful Perthshire summits, including the phenomenal Ben Vorlich and a 70km bicycle time trial through local country roads. We bet the Spa at Gleneagles came into its own after all that!
Perhaps more our pace is the upcoming (but already sold-out) ‘One Hundred Year Ball’ over two dates in September and October (but the news is that there perhaps may be more dates to come!) The ball at the hotel’s opening ceremony in 1924 was so highly regarded, that its proceedings were broadcast live on BBC radio for all the country to hear. The opulent ‘roaring twenties’ ballroom at Gleneagles has stood the test of time and the ‘One Hundred Year Ball’ promises a glamorous affair, complete with a lavish gala dinner, live music and entertainment. A little bird at the hotel (not one from the property’s falconry centre, mind) has even told us to expect fireworks and a special, private ‘Trooping the Colour’ on Gleneagle’s lawn.
Hungover party guests can emerge the next day at tea time, to try the new Centenary Afternoon Tea, hosted in the Glendevon lounge. The recipes are drawn from the hotel’s renowned 1989 ‘Taste of Gleneagles’ cookbook, with added inspiration from the Roaring Twenties. One may expect delicacies like terrine with caviar and smoked lobster sandwich – inspired by Restaurant Andrew Fairlie’s signature dish – and the talented Pastry team’s chocolate marshmallow and biscuit cake, accompanied by specially selected tea blends from the Rare Tea Company.
Another highlight of the anniversary celebrations is the launch of a Rizzoli-published commemorative coffee table book that chronicles the hotel’s history and its evolution over the past century. ‘Stories from the Glorious Playground’ is a beautifully crafted tome and a chronological treasure trove of nostalgic stories, photographs, illustrations and anecdotes, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who have walked through its doors.
It is undeniable to The Experientialist® that Gleneagles’ centennial celebration is not just a reflection on the past, its resilience, and its ability to adapt and flourish through the changing tides of history, but also of its ongoing journey. This milestone speaks to the enduring appeal of its service, the richness of its heritage, and its ongoing commitment to offering an exceptional experience that transcends generations.
Whether you’re luxury hotel aficionados like us, or history buffs, wellness junkies, fierce foodies, hardcore tri- or (try-)athletes, it is heartwarming to see this stalwart of luxury Scottish hospitality continue to invite us all to be part of its extraordinary story. Here’s to another hundred years.
Photography by Martin Perry, Uwern Jong and courtesy of Gleneagles
