Hills & Mountains
Cold plunge
At a glance
About this sauna
Pentland View Outdoor Sauna Edinburgh sits at the foot of the Pentland Hills, tucked out of sight until you reach the base of the hill. Set beside a grassy embankment and a few trees, the sauna has a naturally sheltered position, facing straight up the hillside. You might even spot horses grazing nearby or a rider passing along the trails.
Sessions are kept small, adding to the quiet, secluded feel. Being on the hillside, the landscape is part of the experience itself.
What to expect
- Welcomed by a host on arrival
- Social sessions for up to 6 people
- Views across the Pentland Hills
- A choice of cold plunge baths and barrels, some kept deliberately colder than others
- Dried herbs and essential oils used over the stones during your session
- Orange slices offered with 15 minutes left to go
- An area of grass set aside for lying down or walking barefoot between rounds
- Outdoor seating and fire pit area beside the sauna
Additional experiences and sessions
- Private hire available
- Guided Aufguss sauna rituals with essential oils
- Sound bath and yoga sessions available
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
Walking routes through the Pentland Hills begin close to the sauna, with open countryside and hillside views surrounding the area. Despite the rural setting, it’s still only a short drive from Edinburgh.
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
Yes, there's a sign for parking, and from there you can already see the sauna in the distance at the base of the hill.
There's a choice between the regular water, which is still cold, and a chilled option at around 7°C. The chilled one is properly cold, my feet especially felt it, so I didn't stay in long, but you don't need to. A quick dip is enough.
During my visit, the host poured water with essential oils over the stones, then waved bunches of dried lavender around the sauna. Little touches like these made the session feel more thoughtful than a standard sauna visit. The host was very attentive throughout."
