Are Edinburgh residents choosing steam time over screen time?

As winter’s darker afternoons and crisper temperatures continue, many of us are less inclined to head outside, and may lack inspiration for outdoor activities that are actually enjoyable. 

However, some Edinburgh residents are combatting the cold by heading to an outdoor sauna. Inside, temperatures may exceed 70 degrees Celsius, increasing heart rate, blood flow to the skin and causing a sweat. When they can no longer handle the heat, some choose to follow up with a cold plunge that shocks the senses.

While saunas are nothing new, their popularity is on the rise, as Max Schilling, founder and owner of the recently opened Puffin Sauna, observes: “The sauna culture in the UK is really ramping up and new saunas are constantly opening. Edinburgh is seeing the same growth.”

Max, who first discovered his love of sauna while on holiday in Bulgaria, has turned it into a business by opening the six-seater, wood-fired sauna at Leith Community Croft, on Leith Links.  The screened-off area offers cold-plunge barrels and a shower, providing the opportunity to chill out, in one of the city’s most vibrant areas.  

Considering why sauna is appealing to locals, Max explains: “Edinburgh feels like a very active city with a balanced lifestyle. The city’s small size and the nature on your doorstep here draws people who enjoy the outdoors, which extends to experiences like sauna and cold plunge. Also, the Scottish elements make a lovely warm sauna seem all the more appealing.”

Healthier habits 

The growing popularity of the sauna may be a symptom of a movement towards healthier lifestyle habits like reduced alcohol consumption, or the impact of internet inspirations like Wim Hof and wellness influencers. It may even signal a yearning to get away from screens – an opportunity to be social away from social media. 

 Adam Fisher, founder and co-owner of Spear Sauna at Lost Shore Surf Resort, says: 

 “Regulars get to know each other quickly, and we’ve seen friendships form, surf groups meet up and weekly sauna ‘rituals’ develop.

“There’s something about sitting in the heat together and plunging into cold water that really bonds people.”

Here, customers can first heat up in the 18-person wood-fired sauna and then cool off under back-lit bucket showers or by dipping in the open-water cove next to the sauna: “Around 30-40 per cent of customers are regulars, with many coming weekly or multiple times per month,” he adds.

He also believes that sauna and cold-plunge culture in Edinburgh is increasing: “It has grown massively,” he observes: “People are more aware of the physical and mental-health benefits, through research and experience. Outdoor culture in Edinburgh has exploded.

“The combination of the Scottish climate, wellness trends and a growing community spirit makes sauna and cold water an appealing lifestyle choice.”    

Adam lists natural, outdoor-based well-being, a break from city or work stress and the social element as some of the many attractions. 

Taking the plunge

In addition to Puffin Sauna and Spear Sauna, there are multiple other locations in and around Edinburgh where you can join in on the sweat. Soul Water Sauna, in Portobello and Granton, recently added a new Dalkeith Country Park location.  

A little further afield, East Lothian also has a couple of outdoor sauna options, such as Escape Sauna in North Berwick or Hot and Bothy, behind Archerfield Walled Garden. Foxlake Adventures in Dunbar also has a ‘Hot Fox’ sauna and cold-plunge experience on offer.   

Sauna prices can vary from venue to venue, but to give an example, Spear Sauna charges £10 for a 30-minute session.

Some wellness trends may seem to be reserved for the young, the cool or for fitness fanatics, but saunas are inclusive, as Max concludes:

“Sauna is for all, everyone belongs and everyone can benefit from getting a bit of a sweat on.”  

Photography: Spear Sauna