21st Nov 2025
Meet the Member – Lucy Dawson – Lochar Mill Riverside Retreat
I am Lucy Dawson, owner and co-founder of Lochar Mill Riverside Retreat with my husband Alan. I am also a Nutritional Therapist with my own clinic in Strathaven and I use rooms in both Clarkston and East Kilbride to see clients. My husband is a Personal Trainer and together, we are passionate about helping people with their health and wellbeing. When we became absorbed in the growing sauna culture in Scotland and the benefits of both cold water and sauna therapy were consistently coming up in my research of how to benefit clients the most – we decided it would be a fantastic addition to our existing businesses.
In addition to a state of the art infrared sauna on the riverside we also have fantastic relaxation areas for events, workshops, private dining experiences, a fire pit and fantastic grounds for activities like Tai Chi and Yoga outdoors.
The Retreat was actually the hardest thing I have ever done and it was mentally and physically challenging! We opened the business in November 2024 in the grounds of our home by Strathaven, a short drive from Glasgow, and on the banks of Lochar Water. However, we were promptly closed again when Storm Eowyn blew away our infrared sauna. We came back fighting and after many setbacks we opened again in May of this year.
The only way we overcame all of this was just to keep plodding on and solving each problem as they arose. Neither of us like being in debt but in order to reopen the business we had to take finance out for a new sauna and a building to cover it so it is storm-proofed. The facilities we have our even better than before and we keep growing and improving but it is also really difficult not to feel worry and stress over meeting financial obligations and trying to grow at the same time.
I think the best piece of advice we were given was to have faith and just keep going. Easier said than done and you would think that after nearly 30 years of being self-employed you would think it would get easier, but it doesn’t – the rollercoaster is real!
Our finance will be paid off in February 2026 and we want to make this the best year yet. We want to make a profit, grow the Community Interest Company – Lochar Mill Wellness C.I.C – that we operate alongside the Retreat; grow our audience, increase awareness, launch corporate retreat days, and grow the schedule of events and workshops.
The GGC membership can really help me learn the skills I need to make my businesses a success. I want to bounce ideas of other women in business, find people to collaborate with, and most of all be part of a community for support.
The dream is a business model that works – both profitable and enjoyable without me burning out – and no more sleepless nights worrying about paying the bills.
