Wild Sauna Guide helps people discover wild saunas and outdoor wellness experiences across Scotland and feel confident trying them for the first time.
I created it to make these places easier to find, understand, and actually try, whether you are completely new to it or already a fan.
How it started
My first introduction to sauna and cold water was not in Scotland, but on a trip to Sweden for my partner’s 40th.
We were staying on a quiet rural estate deep in the forest, the kind of place that felt almost like a fairytale. Surrounded by trees and open space, with a huge pond at the centre, it felt calm, simple, and completely removed from everyday life.
During our stay, we noticed the owner building something down by the water. When we asked what it was, he told us it was going to be a sauna.
At that point, I had barely used saunas before, just the occasional one in a hotel or gym, and I had never come across an outdoor sauna like this.
The water beside it was freezing. My partner went in for a swim, but I did not join him.
I could not really understand the appeal of heating up in a sauna and then getting into cold water like that. It just was not something I saw myself doing.
What changed
It was not until later, back in Scotland, when I went with some friends to try my first wild sauna, that everything changed.
I still remember thinking, what am I doing, getting out of this sauna and into the freezing cold sea.
I would not have done that on a hot holiday abroad, never mind the North Sea in February.
But once I did, something shifted. The cold was not just a shock, it was energising, and strangely calming at the same time.
What I had not realised before is how varied these experiences can be. Some are by the sea, some beside lochs, others have cold plunge tubs, outdoor baths, or simple cold showers.
There is no single way to do it, and you do not have to do anything you are not comfortable with.
What once felt completely unappealing is now one of my favourite parts of the experience.
It is also not just about the heat and cold.
There is something about these experiences that brings you back into the present, being outside, feeling the elements, and sharing it with other people, even quietly.
It is simple, but it draws you back.
Why I built this site
After a couple of experiences, I wanted to discover more, but it was not always easy to find clear, useful information.
Wild Sauna Guide is a growing directory of sauna spots, experiences, and events across Scotland, designed to make those experiences easier to discover and understand.
It brings together places across the country and presents them in a clear, practical way, so you know what to expect before you go.
Some places I have visited myself, while others are part of a growing collection that I am continually researching, exploring, and adding to.
Alongside this, I share first hand experiences and insights through the journal, helping to give a clearer sense of what these places are actually like.
What you’ll find here
• A growing directory of wild saunas across Scotland, from coastal setups to lochside and woodland locations
• Clear, practical information so you know what to expect before you go, including how sessions work and what to bring
• First hand experiences and insights, showing what it actually feels like and what might surprise you
I am always exploring new places and keeping an eye on what is worth trying next.