Wild Scottish Sauna

Starting the day at Kingsbarn Beach

The sky was painted in soft greys and blues as I approached Kingsbarns Beach. The salty tang of the North Sea carried on the wind, and the rhythmic crash of waves added a soundtrack to the otherwise still morning. I was here for my first experience at the Wild Scottish Sauna, a place I’d heard about from friends who couldn’t stop raving about its transformative powers. They spoke of stress melting away, invigorating cold dips in the sea, and an unexpected sense of community. I was dubious, but curious to see if this place was going to live up to expectations. And really, how much better could you feel in a sauna and freezing cold water?!

Located among the dunes, the sauna was a charming, hand-crafted wooden cabin, its chimney puffing gentle clouds of smoke into the brisk summer air. A small group of women was already gathered outside, chatting as they adjusted their towels. The vibe was warm and welcoming, despite the chill. As I approached, Janna, the guide for the experience, greeted me with a broad smile.

I joined the 3 others. What I hadn’t anticipated was that we, whilst we arrived as strangers, we would leave here as friends.

Janna explained the routine: sauna first, followed by optional breathing exercises, then a cold water dip. “It’s all about the balance,” she said. “The heat relaxes you, the cold invigorates you, and the breathing brings everything together.”

The sauna: A sanctuary of warmth

Stepping inside the sauna, I was greeted by a wave of warmth that instantly wrapped itself around me. The scent of cedarwood mingled with the faint saltiness of the sea air. A wood-burning stove crackled in the corner, and through a large window, I could see the waves lapping at the shore. We sat shoulder-to-shoulder on wooden benches, the heat drawing out beads of sweat as it softened our tension.

Conversation began tentatively at first - small talk about where we were from and how we’d heard of this place. But as the heat worked its magic, the words began to flow more freely. We shared stories of our recent stresses in life, where we wanted life to take us.

After about ten minutes, it was time for the first cold dip. I wasn’t sure I was ready, but there was something encouraging about the collective energy of the group. We stepped outside, the wind against our skin, and made our way to the water.

Breathing with Janna: Finding balance

Janna invited us to join her for a short breathing session. We stood on the beach, as the sea roared gently in the background and she guided us through a series of slow, deliberate breaths.

“Inhale deeply, hold for a moment, then exhale slowly,” she instructed. “Feel the rhythm of your body and the energy around you.”

As we followed her lead, I felt a sense of grounding that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. The combination of the sauna’s heat, and the intentional breathing created a harmony within me - a balance of opposites that felt both natural and profound.

Janna explained how this kind of breathwork, paired with the sauna experience, could reduce stress and anxiety while improving focus and emotional resilience. “It’s like giving your mind a chance to stretch and breathe, just like your body,” she said.

We were ready for our dip!

The cold dip: A jolt of life

The first plunge into the North Sea was nothing short of shocking. The cold hit me like a wave of electricity, forcing a gasp from my lips. For a moment, I thought I might retreat, but Janna, who was beside me, calmly instructed, “Breathe. Slow and deep. Let your body adjust.”

Following her lead, I focused on my breathing, and within moments, the cold felt less like a punishment and more like an awakening. My heart raced, my skin tingled, and a rush of endorphins flooded my body. By the time we emerged, I felt more alive than I had in months. The entire group was laughing and cheering, buoyed by the shared triumph.

Back in the sauna, the warmth felt even more luxurious. My muscles relaxed deeply, and my mind grew quiet. Janna explained the science behind it: “The heat dilates your blood vessels, improving circulation and detoxifying your body. When you plunge into the cold, it constricts them again, which strengthens your cardiovascular system. It’s a workout for your body without moving a muscle.”

A shared moment of connection

As the afternoon unfolded, the initial awkwardness of being among strangers disappeared. We cheered each other on during cold dips, exchanged more stories in the sauna, and marvelled together at the simple yet powerful rhythm of the experience. By the time we wrapped up, we were no longer strangers. We were a group of people who had shared something uniquely transformative.

Sitting on the benches afterwards, wrapped up, the owners, Jamie and Jayne came to welcome us with some hot drinks, and some protein bites. I thanked them for inviting me and they asked how my experience was. I did not expect to feel so much emotion as I answered that after what had been a hellish month, this experience had done far more for mentally than I could have imagined. We got to know these wonderful ladies who had a vision only a year earlier of creating this sanctuary for people to escape to. What a truly wonderful business. I’m sure everyone who has been will agree that they have helped hundreds of people who have had the pleasure of visiting.

Toward the end there was a shared silence - not the awkward kind, but the comfortable kind that only comes from genuine connection and appreciation for what had just happened.

As I drove home that evening, I felt lighter, clearer, and more alive than I had in months. The Wild Scottish Sauna at Kingsbarns wasn’t just about relaxation. It was about rediscovering balance, forming friendships, and finding peace in the simplest of rituals.
I knew I’d be back, not just for the sauna, but for the people and the shared magic of this wild, beautiful place.

*Thank you to Jayne and Jamie for having us along and to Pamela Erwin Photography for the stunning photos