I tried the LUSH Spa and it was much more than just a massage
I recently visited the LUSH Spa in Bath for the city’s ReBalance Festival, which runs until February 16. Despite expecting a simple 60-minute hot stone massage, I had an experience that took me on a refreshing journey straight into the heart of the Scottish Highlands.
After driving through the torrential rain of Storm Eowyn, the moment I arrived in Bath the sky seemed to open up. Offering a serene contrast to the chaos I had just driven through, the quiet atmosphere of Bath high street on a wet Sunday afternoon already felt like a gentle reprieve for my frazzled nerves.
I was greeted at the LUSH store by Gemma, my massage therapist, whose calm presence set the tone for what was about to be a deeply intentional experience. As we descended into the spa area below the bustling shop floor, I could already feel a shift. The dimmed lighting, the soft incense scent, and the tranquil atmosphere offered instant relief from the stormy drive over.
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She led me through every step of the £150 ‘Highlands’ treatment, and the attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed. From offering a glass of cold Scottish spring water to explaining the medicinal benefits of the Scottish mugwort-infused massage bar, it became obvious that the treatment, inspired by the rugged beauty of the Highlands, is more than just a hot stone massage.
It begins with a ‘stone consultation’ using 250 million-year-old Scottish marble, carved with ancient symbols, each corresponding to different states of mind. Gemma guided me through the process, asking me to choose three stones that "spoke to me” before selecting the one that I liked the most.
I picked the river stone, its symbolism about finding ease during the ebbing and flowing of life’s unpredictabilities felt perfect for the chaos of January.
She then explained how to hold the intention of the stone whilst listening to the soundtrack for the massage. Gaelic folk music, performed by Julie Fowlis, who also sang the soundtrack for the Disney Pixar film Brave, plays in the background throughout the massage. The songs guide you through a sensory journey across rolling hills of heather and up misty mountains.
After the stone consultation I was invited into the treatment room where furze incense was burning inspired by the Celtic ritual of ‘saining’, a magical practice that involves blessing, protecting and purifying a space. I loved that the massage itself, although incredibly relaxing, didn’t feel like the main focus of this treatment. Instead it aided in relaxing my body to meditate on the guided visualisation of the highlands and the intentions of the river stone that I held in my mind.
As the treatment came to an end, I was handed a cup of Scottish tea infused with heather - a perfect touch to help ground me after the experience. I spent a few extra moments in the spa's peaceful lounge, allowing the tranquil energy to settle before re-entering the real world.
The LUSH Spa’s Highland-inspired experience is far more than a typical spa visit. It’s a chance to reconnect not just with your body, but with an ancient, almost mystical sense of place. And given how often life feels like it's moving at a hundred miles per hour, a pause like this feels essential.
If you’re looking for a moment of peace, I highly recommend visiting before the ReBalance Festival ends on February 16. You can find more details about this one-of-a-kind experience and other spa offerings in Bath here.