An aromatic oil massage at Cholly’s in Inverness is a full body oil massage using carefully selected essential oils blended into a warm carrier oil, applied through slow, flowing strokes designed to deeply relax the body and calm the mind. Sessions run 60 or 90 minutes, from £55. It is the most purely relaxing treatment on the menu no stretching, no deep pressure, just warmth, scent, and stillness.
About Aromatic Oil Massage
Not every massage needs to be therapeutic in the clinical sense. Sometimes what the body needs is simply to be warm, supported, and completely still while someone works slowly and intentionally across every inch of it. That is what the aromatic oil massage in Inverness at Cholly’s is for.
The treatment uses a blend of essential oils chosen for their calming, mood-lifting, or restorative properties mixed into a warm carrier oil and applied through long, smooth, flowing strokes across the full body. Unlike Thai massage or deep tissue work, there is no intense pressure, no assisted stretching, no targeted clinical goal. The intention is singular: to bring the nervous system down from its daily state of alertness into genuine, settled rest.
Essential oils have been used in therapeutic massage for centuries, and the combination of scent and touch works on two levels simultaneously the aromatic compounds act through the olfactory system to influence mood and the nervous system, while the physical strokes ease muscle tension, boost circulation, and warm the tissues. The result is a full body relaxation massage in Inverness that feels as calming to the senses as it does to the body.
In Cholly's Own Words
“The aromatic oil massage is the treatment I recommend to people who are exhausted rather than in pain there is a difference. If someone has come in carrying a lot of stress or has not slept well, their nervous system does not need to be pushed and stretched, it needs to be gentled down. I choose the oil blend based on what the client tells me about how they are feeling that day something grounding if they are anxious and scattered, something lifting if they are low and flat. The strokes are slow and deliberate, covering the whole body from feet to shoulders, and by the end most people are so relaxed they are not entirely sure where they are for a few minutes. That is exactly what the treatment is meant to do.”
– Cholly Saidoung, Thai massage therapist, Cholly’s Thai Massage & Therapy, Inverness
Benefits of Aromatic Oil Massage
- Reduces stress and anxiety through the combined effect of calming essential oils and slow, rhythmic touch
- Promotes deep, settled relaxation – one of the most effective calming massages available in Inverness
- Improves circulation through long, flowing strokes across the full body
- Eases general muscle tension without the intensity of deep tissue or Thai pressure work
- Supports better sleep when stress or a busy mind is interfering with rest
- Lifts mood through the therapeutic effect of carefully chosen essential oil blends
- Leaves skin feeling nourished and soft from the warm carrier oil
- Ideal body and mind massage in Inverness for anyone feeling burnt out, overstretched, or simply overdue a proper rest
Who Is This Treatment For?
This essential oil massage in Inverness is ideal for:
- Anyone carrying high stress or anxiety – the combination of scent and touch is particularly effective at calming a wound-up nervous system
- People struggling with sleep – a slow relaxation massage in Inverness in the evening works better than most sleep aids for stress-related insomnia
- Those new to massage – gentle, flowing oil massage is the most accessible and least intimidating introduction to bodywork
- People who do not want deep pressure – this session stays at a light-to-medium level throughout; there is no intense or targeted pressure work
- Anyone who has been under prolonged stress – chronic stress accumulates in the body as well as the mind; this treatment addresses both simultaneously
- Those wanting a full body oil massage in Inverness as a regular self-care practice rather than a one-off event
A note for those wanting deeper muscle work: if you want the calm of an oil massage but also need therapeutic pressure for tight muscles or knots, Cholly’s Combined Thai and Oil Massage blends both approaches in a single session and may suit you better.
What Essential Oils Are Used?
Cholly selects the oil blend for each session based on a brief conversation at the start of the appointment about how you are feeling and what you are hoping to get from the session. Common oils used include lavender for calm and sleep support, eucalyptus and peppermint for a more invigorating effect, frankincense for grounding during periods of anxiety, and bergamot for mood lifting. If you have a known sensitivity or allergy to any essential oil, mention this when booking and the blend will be adjusted accordingly.
What to Expect at Cholly's
Every visit starts with a warm welcome, a robe, and time to settle with tea or a cold drink plus Cholly’s signature foot-washing ritual that opens every appointment. For the aromatic oil massage, Cholly will take a few minutes to discuss how you are feeling and choose the oil blend accordingly. The session itself is done with you lying under a warm sheet, with each section of the body uncovered in turn as Cholly works with long, slow, deeply warming strokes from feet to shoulders. The room is quiet, the pace is unhurried, and the intention throughout is complete rest. Take your time after the session before heading back out into Inverness most clients need a few quiet minutes before they are ready.
Pricing & Duration
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 60 minutes | £55 |
| 90 minutes | £80 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an aromatic oil massage?
An aromatic oil massage is a full body relaxation massage using warm essential oil blends applied through long, slow, flowing strokes. It is designed to calm the nervous system, ease general tension, and lift mood the most purely relaxing treatment on Cholly’s menu.
What essential oils are used during the massage?
The oil blend is chosen at the start of each session based on how the client is feeling. Common choices include lavender for calm and sleep, frankincense for grounding anxiety, bergamot for mood lifting, and eucalyptus or peppermint for a more energising effect. Any known sensitivities should be mentioned when booking.
Is aromatherapy massage good for stress and anxiety?
Yes – it is one of the most effective treatments for stress and anxiety available. The combination of therapeutic scent working through the olfactory system and slow, rhythmic physical touch activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing the physical and mental symptoms of stress simultaneously.
What is the most relaxing massage?
For pure relaxation without any therapeutic pressure or stretching, the aromatic oil massage is the most calming treatment at Cholly’s in Inverness. If you also need muscle tension relief alongside relaxation, the Combined Thai and Oil Massage is a better fit.
Is oil massage good for sleep problems?
Yes – stress-related sleep difficulties respond well to relaxation massage. The calming effect on the nervous system, combined with essential oils like lavender, can support deeper and more settled sleep, particularly when treatments are received regularly.
How is aromatic oil massage different from Thai massage?
The Traditional Thai Massage is performed clothed, without oil, using pressure points and assisted stretching more therapeutic and active. The aromatic oil massage is done directly on the skin with warm oil, using slow, flowing strokes gentler, more sensory, and purely focused on relaxation.
How is this different from the hot stone oil massage?
The Hot Stone Oil Massage adds heated basalt stones to the oil massage, which penetrate warmth deeper into the muscle tissue. The aromatic oil massage focuses more on the essential oil element and the overall sensory experience of scent combined with touch.
Can I have an aromatic oil massage if I am pregnant?
If you are expecting, please see Cholly’s dedicated Pregnancy Massage instead – it uses adapted positioning and pressure specifically for expectant mothers. Some essential oils are also not recommended during pregnancy, so a standard aromatic oil session is not suitable.
How often should I get an aromatic oil massage?
Monthly sessions work well for ongoing stress management. If you are going through a particularly demanding period, fortnightly sessions can make a more noticeable difference to sleep and anxiety levels. Cholly can advise at your first visit.