Pip is our Health Club Manager and Outdoor Activities Coordinator. Although Pip only joined the team in 2024, she and her family have been members of the Tarland community for over 40 years!
After completing a degree in Sport Science and Human Biology, Pip joined the Army as an officer in The Adjutant Generals Corps (Education Training Services). During her 17 years of service, she served all over the UK and abroad in various locations such as Canada, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Iraq and Belize… to name a few!
After her two children were born, Pip retired to a ‘quieter’ lifestyle back in her home area of Royal Deeside and requalified as a forest therapy practitioner & open water swim coach. She is hugely passionate about snowboarding, open water wild swimming, dog walking and trail running (there aren’t many sports and activities that Pip hasn’t tried!).
Pip hopes that every guest finds time to visit the Health Club and participate in local activities. She and her team can be found in the health club and will happily show you around. If you’re lucky, she might even divulge her knowledge of secret wild swimming spots!
Guest recommendation:
It would have to be an early sunrise dip at The Cambus O’ May Suspension Bridge. It was repaired and reopened in 2021 after Storm Frank washed it away. Only a short drive from Douneside, this place is simply beautiful! A stunning white suspension bridge takes you across the river where you can walk on a lovely sandy slope into the river. Watch the wildlife from your unique river view or as you walk along the banks of the Deeside Way (the old railway track is now a lovely flat cycle route connecting the Deeside villages). We can’t guarantee it will be warm, but whatever the weather, it will take your breath away!