I AM a big fan of a massage - there's nothing quite as relaxing.
And I've tried lots of different kinds from a heavy duty Thai version where the therapist stomped on my back to your more regular, soothing option where the masseuse gently eases away your troubles.
But I have never had one quite like the Highlands treatment at the new Lush 'secret' spa.
Tucked away above Glasgow's flagship store, which opened on Buchanan Street in December, the spa launched earlier this month.
And I was invited along to try their new signature treatment, which pays homage to the landscape of Scotland's rugged and beautiful north.
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The spa itself is beautiful full of calming colours and greenery and as soon as I entered one of the expert therapists, Amelia, sat me down and took me through the Highlands treatment, currently only available in Scotland.
Amelia explained that the inspiration behind the 60-minute massage are in the freezing lochs, lush heather and stunning coastline of the area - using Highland spring water and stones sourced from the islands in the treatment itself.
Then she asked me to pick up a bag that was sitting on the table between us and given it a feel before opening it and taking a look inside.
It was all feeling very mystical - and that feeling continued when I discovered beautiful stones inside, all carved with ancient Scottish symbols. I was asked to choose one and went for the community stone, which she said for me was about giving too much of myself to others and enjoying a little time for myself - as a busy mum that sounded ideal.
I was in the osprey room, which was subtly lit in natural green and scented with incense to match the stone I had chosen.
And this is where the treatment got seriously magical. Each massage at Lush has a soundtrack specially commissioned to accompany it.
Highlands' musical accompaniment includes sounds of the islands, waves lapping on stones and winds whistling along the cost, along with Gaelic songs sung by traditional Highlands-based artists, including Scottish folk singers Julie Fowlis and Ewen Henderson.
The therapist first used a silky smooth massage oil bar infused with mugwort – a Scottish-grown ingredient traditionally used medicinally to settle the nervous system - before going in with searingly hot stones. It felt almost too warm at first but soon melted away all my tensions.
And the most amazing part was the way the strokes of the massage almost felt choreographed to the music.
I normally spend my time on the treatment bed thinking about work and family life, but the combination of the massage and the music meant it was impossible to be anywhere but in the moment.
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After the full body treatment - including a stunning scalp massage and tingling toe rub -there's a shock to the system at the end when freezing cold stones, to represent the splashing of the sea, are used to massage your face.
This is the perfect, magical end to what is the most unusual and most incredible massage I think I've ever had.
- The Highlands costs £150 and launched exclusively at the brand new Lush Spa Glasgow City and Lush Spa Edinburgh on March 1, before launching in all Lush Spas nationwide in autumn 2024.
