AN HISTORIC hotel which was named after a neighbouring sulphurous spring has had to change its name.

For generations, Gilsland Spa Hotel has been synonymous with weddings and other functions.

In more recent times however, bemused staff have been fielding calls from would-be customers enquiring about health and beauty treatments.

But Gilsland does not offer such pampering services and now bosses at the luxury venue have decided its time for a name change.

Marion Upex, company secretary for owners Gilsland Spa Ltd, said the change was a sign of the times.

She explained: “We are a very traditional hotel and we do not offer spa facilities, so we thought it would avoid any confusion if we removed the word ‘spa’.

“We acknowledge that many hotels now offer spa services and it’s understandable that people may think we do at Gilsland.”

Mrs Upex stressed that the word ‘spa’ remains in the second line of the hotel’s title.

She said: “It’s ‘Gilsland Hall, Gilsland Spa’. This area is known as Gilsland Spa and that will never change.

“There is a lot of history here and it’s important. We just feel the change is necessary for the hotel to reflect the way the title is perceived now.”

The original hotel at Gilsland Spa was called The Shaw’s Hotel, which was built in the 1740s and welcomed guests including Scottish poet Robert Burns and fellow writer Sir Walter Scott.

This burned down in 1859 and was rebuilt on a grander scale by G. G. Mounsey. It was taken over by the Gilsland Spa Hotel and Hydro Company towards the end of the 19th century.

The building was purchased by the Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1902 and run as a convalescent home.

It served as a hospital for wounded soldiers during the First World War and as a maternity hospital for expectant mothers in the Second World War.

In 1972, the property was established as the Gilsland Spa Hotel. As well as hosting functions, the hotel, which is set in 140 acres of gardens and natural woodland, is a popular venue for walkers and tourists.