Peebles Hydro is celebrating a remarkable story of lifelong friendship and tradition this year, as a group of former Dundee University students mark more than 40 years of annual visits to the hotel.
The group, primarily made up of medics and dentists who met while studying in the 1970s, first began gathering at Peebles Hydro in 1982.
What started as a small get-together between university friends each February, has since grown into a large family reunion, sometimes bringing together up to 30 people across three generations.
Among the original group were Barclay and Sheila Goudie, Ken and Karin Mackenzie, John and Mary Macpherson, Martin and Jess Wilson, Brian and Kirsten Houston, Hamish and Trish Fraser, Sean and Shirley Evans, and Paul and Jenny Raymond.
Kirkwood and Sheena Young, both now 71, originally chose Peebles Hydro because of its convenient location as a meeting point for friends travelling from Dundee, Inverness, Newcastle and Selby.
However, it was the hotel’s family-friendly atmosphere and wide range of activities that quickly cemented the annual February half-term trip as a permanent fixture in the group’s calendar.
Over the decades, the hotel has hosted countless memories for the group – from children playing football on the grounds to evenings spent dancing and attending traditional ceilidhs.
It has also played host to significant milestones, including professional reunions for members of the group working in dentistry.
The tradition has now been passed down to a third generation. Kirkwood and Sheena’s daughters, Kirsteen Deakin, 43, Alexandra Sutherland, 40 and Lorna Young, 37, who grew up meeting their friends’ children during the annual trip, now bring their own families to Peebles Hydro.
Reflecting on returning with her own children, Kirsteen said: “The girls absolutely love it. Seeing their faces as they run up the stairs and head off exploring the corridors reminds me exactly how we felt as children.
“And they’re always so sad to leave – it’s worth every penny.”
Alexandra added: “I’m just so glad we can give our children the same happiness we had growing up.”
The group say many parts of the hotel have changed over the years, including the former pool area, once known as ‘Bubbles’, which has since been transformed into the Gin 1888 distillery. But much of the magic remains the same.
One feature in particular has become part of their annual ritual – a curved table in the bar that has remained in place for four decades and continues to serve as the setting for the group’s traditional Friday night toast.
Hotels manager at Peebles Hydro, Caroline Raeburn, said: “We are thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone with such a wonderful group of guests. Stories like this are exactly what hospitality is all about – bringing people together and creating memories that last for generations.
“To welcome the same families back year after year, and now see their children and grandchildren enjoying the hotel too, is incredibly special for all of us at Peebles Hydro.”
