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HDR image processed in Photomatix Pro 3.1 and finished in Photoshop CS4

The Peebles Hydro is an early 20th century four star country house hotel and spa resort in Peebles, in the Scottish Borders at the south of Scotland. It was opened by the Hydropathic Company in 1881 to provide water cures and hydrotherapy remedies (pain-relief and treating illness) to guests. It is also notable for serving as a hospital for injured service personnel during in World War II. Then known as the 23rd (Scottish) General Hospital T.A. with 1200 beds.

The Peebles Hydro was one of many built in Britain during the second half of the nineteenth century, although this is the second Hydro on the site. The original Hydro began building in 1878 and work was completed early in 1881 at a cost of over £70,000. This building burnt down in July 1905 and was rebuilt by 1907, a building designed by the architect James Miller FRIBA of Edinburgh, at a more moderate cost of £37,000 owing to the use of salvaged materials.

The following baths and treatments were offered at the Hydro: Russian, Turkish, peat, Nauheim, aromatic, medicated, eucalyptus, rain, pine extract, spray, vapour, brine or sulphur baths. Many associated treatments were available: vibration-massage, the Oertel or Terrain cure, the sun and air bath, a nebulor, Metchnikoff’s sour milk treatment, the Johann Schroth diet, the grape cure, the Salisbury system, a high protein weight loss diet using Salisbury Steak, or the Koumiss cure. There were outdoor recreations, from otter hunting to tennis, shooting, croquet and cycling, and a wide range of activities for inclement weather and the evenings. Guests were also encouraged to bring their musical instruments.