STOBO Castle was chosen from more than 1,000 entrants to appear on the popular BBC show Scotland’s Greatest Escape which broadcast earlier this month.

The programme which is hosted by JJ Chalmers and Grado takes viewers on a journey to the very best holiday escapes that Scotland has to offer and celebrates the places that go above and beyond to bring their guests an outstanding experience.

Stobo was shortlisted as a finalist in the Mind Body and Soul category by a panel of industry experts along with Sheepy Sleepovers in Gartmore and the Roulotte Retreat near Melrose.

The elegant spa retreat situated near Peebles, was chosen by the industry panel because of the wide range of treatments available. 

The castle is over 250 years old and, having fallen into disrepair, was renovated into a spa hotel in 1975. It sits deep within the Borders countryside surrounded by a vast pine forest and beside a tranquil loch. 

Guests are invited to relax in their dressing gowns and enjoy unlimited access to saunas, steam rooms and swimming pool. And to choose from a range of 35 different treatments.

A spokesperson for Stobo said: “Scotland is home to some top class hospitality businesses so to be shortlisted from over 1,000 entrants and then being invited to appear on the show as a finalist was a huge honour and a fantastic achievement for the Stobo Team.

"We jumped at the chance to highlight not only what Stobo Castle has to offer but also to help promote Scotland as a whole as a travel destination of choice.”

The shows’ team commented “To reach this stage is a mark of excellence and reflects the positive experience the guests had when staying at Stobo.”

Father and daughter Graham and Aimee from Dumfriesshire were selected to judge the contestants on four categories: accommodation, activities on offer, customer service and overall experience.

Of Stobo Aimee said: “There is no shadow of a doubt. It’s beautiful. You can’t take that away from them, it’s gorgeous.” She marked the castle at 16 out of 20.

She added: “This was luxury but I wasn’t judging the luxury. I was judging the mind body and soul and I was trying to think how it affected me, 

Graham added: I totally feel that it’s ‘zenned’ me out if that makes sense."He gave the castle maximum points 20 out of 20 and continued: "The luxury aspect just added to it.”

And after visiting all three businesses they selected Roulotte Retreat as the winners with Stobo joint second.

In total there are seven categories, historic, mind body and soul, waterfront, camping, luxury, adventure and wild card and the overall winner is due to be announced during episode eight which is scheduled for Wednesday April 5.

The show is still available to watch on BBC iplayer.