IT is one of the most successful businesses in Peeblesshire.

And after 30 years at the helm of Stobo Castle Health Spa, Stephen Winyard is handing over control to his two sons.

The Winyard family bought the 19th century castle in the early 1970s.

Stephen's parents Robert and Gaynor undertook a major makeover of the run-down castle - opening it as one of the country's first health farms in 1978.

And a decade later Stephen took on the running of the business.

At the height of 1970s’ fashion, it featured just 16 bedrooms with shared avocado bathroom suites, medical checks for guests and calorie-controlled meals.

Since then, significant investment has taken place and a £5milion state-of-the-art spa extension in 2003 led to the creation of 36 treatment rooms, a fully-equipped gym, saunas, steam rooms, a stunning 25-metre ozone-treated infinity pool and outdoor hot tubs.

Guests are often found sipping bubbly between rejuvenating spa and beauty treatments, exploring the outdoor Japanese water garden or dining in the wood-panelled dining room.

The addition of the stunning Cashmere Suite complete with cashmere lined walls and original works of Scottish art, cashmere-covered hand-made Italian beds and an opulent bathroom with its famed £10,000 hand-carved bath for a single piece of limestone, has proved another lure. It is widely acknowledged as the most opulent guest suite in the land.

More recently, the new Ladies Restroom made the headlines as Scotland’s most luxurious loos.

Last year Stobo recorded a pre-tax profit of over £1 million.

And with planned future investment, the luxury spa resort is forecast to go from strength-to-strength.

Last week Mr Winyard officially announced that he will step aside from his managing director role to become chairman of the business.

But Stobo Castle will remain firmly in family hands with his son Elliot becoming managing director and other son Mitchell taking on the position of projects director.

Stephen’s wife Mandy will continue in her role as a director of the company.

Stephen told us: “Stobo Castle’s evolution from what was basically a derelict property, has been remarkable.

"My mother was chairman of the Society of Health and Beauty Therapists at the time. She had a vision that it could become a health farm, at a time when such places were virtually unheard of.

"Today Stobo Castle is Scotland’s only destination spa and one of many people’s ‘must visit’ places to relax and rejuvenate.

"Sadly, my parents are no longer alive to see it, however its success is testimony to their incredible vision and hard work.

"Stobo Castle’s staff have also contributed immensely to its success, many of whom have been here almost since the beginning.”