Spa hotel in Peebles to replace storm-damaged roof dome

Peebles Hydro Hotel to Undergo Repairs After Storm Damage

The Peebles Hydro Hotel was left “unstable and a danger to the public” after nearly half of its glass panels broke during a storm in January 2025. Repair work will also address the hotel’s entrance, where the main columns need “urgent attention.”

History of the Peebles Hydro

The hotel first opened in 1881 after three years of construction. A major fire in 1905 destroyed the building, but it was rebuilt using reclaimed materials. The category B-listed building became part of the Crieff Hydro group in 2014.

Details of the Repair Work

A supporting statement for the repairs said they should “seamlessly match” the surrounding parts of the building. The report noted that the Porte-Cochere has undergone constant maintenance throughout its use.

However, the need to keep the hotel open has led to patchwork repairs, resulting in some structural elements being affected by rot. It is clear that three or four of the main columns need urgent attention.

The storm damage during Storm Eowyn in late January 2025 severely affected the glazed lantern/cupola over the Porte-Cochere, leaving the structure unstable. Almost half of the original glass panels fell and smashed, putting the remaining panels in a dangerous position.

Repair Plans

The Porte-Cochere has been an integral part of the hotel entrance for most of its life. Repairs will use concealed steel shoes and engineered timber to match existing profiles. Once completed, the repairs will blend with the existing features and mouldings.

A new cupola will be installed on top of the existing kerb. This new cupola will have the same number of glazed panels and the same diameter as the original but will be conical instead of hemispherical.