11 Relaxing outdoor saunas to visit in Scotland

Calm your mind, body and soul with an Outer Hebrides escape. Since 2023, this wood-fired mobile sauna has toured around Lewis & Harris bringing a relaxing wellness experience to visitors and locals alike. Once inside, coorie in and enjoy panoramic ocean views from its half-moon window. The sauna sits 4-6 people, which can be booked privately with friends and family, or mixed public sessions. If you’re feeling brave enough, cool off in the sea and book a swim session with their sister company, Immerse Hebrides. 

Watershed Sauna is a welcome addition to the shores of Moray Firth. Built in a vintage horseshoe box, get cosy by the crackling wood-fired stove, sourced directly from the sauna heartland of Finland. Take time to relax and stimulate the senses as you listen to the gentle lapping of the sea, spot incredible wildlife and watch the everchanging weather roll in. You might even be lucky enough to witness a glorious sunset on a clear day. Sauna sessions are typically one-hour long and can usually be found at Findhorn East beach, but it can also be seen elsewhere in other remote spots.  

Eyes down! For an extra bit of fun, Watershed Sauna have recently introduced bingo. If you manage to spot all nine wildlife species listed on the card, you’ll win the grand prize of a one-hour private session.

If you like to be beside the seaside, we think you’ll love the added bonus of an outdoor sauna experience. Elie Seaside Sauna has the choice of two saunas, both with incredible views across Elie beach and beyond. The Dune Sauna offers floor to ceiling glass windows lined in blonde Aspen, streaming in natural daylight over the short winter months. Meanwhile, the Shore Sauna is the newest addition to the family. Tucked behind a low-level sand dune, the sauna is lined with dark thermal-Alder which adds a more cosy and darker ambience, perfect for those seeking a gentler, less intense heat.

You might be familiar with Portobello’s sandy beach, long promenade and pretty shopfronts, but did you know it’s home to Edinburgh’s first mobile sauna? Open Thursday evenings and all-day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, take the time to pause, recharge and prioritise yourself with a 60 or 90 minute sauna session. To help cool you down, head for a mood-boosting cold plunge in the sea which will leave you feeling more energised, clear-headed and focused. 

Wild Scottish Sauna in Fife is a big advocate for the use of outdoor saunas. The wellness experience provides incredible health benefits by soothing aching muscles and relieving tension on both your physical and mental health. Enjoy the 90 minute sauna and sea experience, where you’ll reap the benefits of hot and cold therapy, or splash out on the luxury sauna and sea experience where you’re greeted with a hot drink on arrival before taking the plunge in the North Sea. You’ll be guided with lots of helpful breathing techniques when you’re in before seeking warmth in the sauna. Refuel your energy levels with a delicious breakfast or lunch after your session. 

West Coast Wellness have all the right ingredients for you to relax and unwind. Enter a warm oasis with unbeatable views overlooking Loch Fyne. Kick back and hit the reset button as you watch the changes in weather through the windows. If you’re looking for more privacy, make sure to book the private sauna. Perfect for special occasions, the sauna comfortably fits up to ten people, giving you up to three hours to chill out.   

Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal wellness retreats offering activities, including hot and cold therapy at the Lochside Sauna, yoga, meditation and walks.

For the perfect winter pick me up, The Hotbox will leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated over the festive period. Situated at Taymouth Marina, step inside and feel the warmth of the giant crackling wood burner as you soak in the views across the loch. After your sauna session, get ready for the ultimate wake up call with a cold plunge, or feel like a big kid again and make a splash down the slide. Other highlights include the steam room and the outdoor hot pool, a real remedy for those cold winter days and nights. 

Nothing is more calming than being by the sea, especially when you’re all cosy. Be cocooned in a balmy heat at Cellardyke Seaside Sauna while you admire the sea views from the full-length glass windows. With one or two hour slots available, you’ll be reaping the benefits once you’re inside helping to reduce your stress levels, improve joint movement and combat skin problems. Make sure to take a dip in the newly renovated Cellardyke Tidal Pool if you wish to incorporate some cold water therapy to your wellness experience. 

The peace and tranquillity of the Shetland islands makes it the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. This authentic wood-fired sauna can be found at St. Ninian’s Beach in Shetland and is a great way to connect with the great Scottish wilderness. Embrace Scandinavian life with hot and cold therapy, a great experience for any time of year. 

If you’re planning on heading to another Scottish island escape, make sure to visit its sister location in Orkney. 

Making its new home at Edinburgh’s Lost Shore Surf Resort, Spear Sauna is about soaking up the heat in style. Open Monday to Friday, embrace the cold while riding the waves during a surfing lesson before stepping inside the sauna. Choose from a 30 or 60 minute sauna session with two waterfall buckets outside to cool you down after your session. 

It doesn't get any more secluded than an outdoor sauna in the forest. Situated at Newton Mearns near Glasgow, this alpine forest is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with nature. Once you arrive, head to the ice water barrel to help revitalise the mind and body. You won't be cold for long though, enter the sauna where you'll sit and watch the world go by in 90 degree heat. If you're into yoga, it's a great place to meditate and release all those toxins in your body.