Beach
Sea dip
At a glance
About this sauna
Driftwood Sauna Stonehaven sits at the beach end of Stonehaven Harbour, part of a paddleboarding school based there. It’s a converted horsebox, clad on the outside with driftwood collected from the beach and lined inside with Aspen panelling. The door faces straight out to sea.
The decor is all reclaimed and salvaged, old fishing nets, buoys, net-covered boxes and a pirate flag outside, with the same feel continued inside, including a bowl of essential oils hung over the stove. Everything looks gathered over time, each piece tied to the fishing village and the sea around it, giving the place real character. The harbour front stays fairly quiet, with the odd dog walker passing by. The owner mentioned it’s one of the oldest wood-fired saunas in Scotland.
I visited for a private session and wrote about my experience here.
What to expect
- Welcomed by the owner on arrival, who stays nearby during the session
- Small-group sessions for up to 6 people
- Wood-fired horsebox sauna with upper and lower benches
- Whisky barrel of fresh water for cold dipping, right outside the door
- Steps down into the barrel, with a step inside you can sit on facing the sea
- Sea view straight out through the sauna door
- Seating area just along from the sauna, where local chip shops will deliver
Additional experiences and sessions
- Private hire available
- Mobile sauna bookings for events, birthdays and corporate sessions
- Seasonal road trips combining the sauna with wild swimming, paddleboarding, skiing or kayaking
Plan your visit
- Swimwear
- Two towels (one for sitting on, one for drying off)
- Flip flops or sandals
- Warm layers for afterwards
- Water bottle
- Changing robe or loose layers for getting changed outdoors
Location
What’s nearby
The harbour front has a handful of restaurants and cafés a short walk away, and local chip shops will deliver straight to the seating area next to the sauna. Stonehaven Beach and the walk up to Dunnottar Castle are both close by if you want to make a day of it.
Before you go
If you’re new to wild saunas, these quick answers might help
No — you can enjoy the sauna on its own.
Yes — you can move between the sauna, the water and breaks outside at your own pace.
From my visit
I did both and enjoyed both, but you don't have to do both — the whisky barrel outside the door is enough on its own if you'd rather skip the sea.
Not big stones, but not bare-foot friendly either — worth having something on your feet.
It's quiet most of the time, but on a warm sunny day locals and visitors will be out along the beach and harbour front too.
