Plenty of Water in Scotland for Hot & Cold Water Therapy
Scotland has always had one thing in abundance: water. Whether you’re travelling through the Cairngorms, the Outer Hebrides or the west coast, you’ll never be far from a loch, river or beach.
In recent years, more people have begun embracing that water in a different way. Cold-water swimming, wood-fired saunas and contrast therapy have become part of many visitors’ road trips, offering an opportunity to slow down, recover after a day spent outdoors and reconnect with nature.
If you’re interested in the wider benefits of spending time outdoors, our Wild Wellness Guide explores some of our favourite ways to slow down while travelling through Scotland.
Nowhere Sauna: A Sanctuary for Reconnection with Nature
Susie and Lauren are the owners of Nowhere Sauna based at Comrie Croft.
The Croft itself is a perfect place to overnight as part of one of our self-drive road trips through Perthshire. While I was chatting about the newness of Sauna culture in Scotland, Susie was quick to inform me that the tradition goes way back.
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of a 4000-year-old sauna on the island of Orkney. The tradition crosses cultures and continents in one form or another. Most of us will think of Scandinavia but you have onsens in Japan; the hammams in the middle east and Native American sweat lodges all using heat as a form of therapy.
Disconnect from the Modern World
For Susie and Lauren, the vision behind the Nowhere Sauna was simple. Create a space where people can disconnect from the fast-paced modern world. It’s a place to immerse yourself in a nurturing environment with others, fostering a sense of community and connection. The importance of being in nature, unplugging from technology, and giving yourself the time to pause and reflect is at the heart of the sauna experience. The heat of the sauna helps release physical and mental tension, while the cold plunge offers a rejuvenating reset.
In Scotland, sauna culture is a growing, supportive movement, focused on nature, soul connection, and digital detoxing. At Nomadic Scotland, we share these values and are proud to support this ethos. We’d like to thank Susie and Lauren for taking the time to share their insights with us.
The Power of Sauna, Cold Plunge & Digital Detox
We are also thankful to Charlie Watts, CEO and founder of Manor Gyms, a keen wild swimmer and fan of combination therapy for giving us his take on this new trend.
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, we’re constantly overwhelmed by notifications, emails, and the demands of modern life. Our screens capture our attention from morning to night, often leaving us feeling stressed and disconnected from nature. The pressures of work, family, and social obligations can make it difficult to find time for self-care or mental clarity. Many are turning to nature and Scotland’s wild places as the solution to this growing disconnection.
One of the most effective ways to restore balance is through wellness practices that promote a digital detox. Allowing both the mind and body to reset. Saunas and cold plunges are time-tested traditions that offer remarkable physical and mental health benefits. These natural wellness experiences can help you reduce stress, reclaim your health, and reconnect with both your body and the world around you.
Charlie sees plenty of enthusiastic and driven individuals coming through the doors of his gyms looking to find a moments reprieve from the daily grind. Sometimes you need to take a deeper dive into the world of digital detoxing and nature connection through a wellness retreat. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and using the time to truly reconnect with what is important to you.
Find solace in Scotland with Nomadic Scotland
Charlie knows that Nomadic Scotland is well placed to offer such experiences and sees the burgeoning Sauna scene in Scotland as an added reason to visit.
He explained that many people use contrast therapy to support recovery after exercise and find the combination of heat and cold helps them feel refreshed, more alert and mentally recharged. Research into these benefits continues to develop, but for many people the experience itself is reason enough to include it in their routine.
Combine this with nights under the stars, cooking over a fire and finding places with no phone signal to help unlock real positive mental change. From someone so heavily involved in improving people’s physical well-being, Charlie understands the importance of the mind-body connection.
Our Favourite Places for Hot & Cold Water Therapy in Scotland
These are just three of our favourite places to experience hot and cold therapy, but there are many more emerging across Scotland.
- Braan Sauna – Dunkeld
- Nowhere Sauna – Comrie Croft
- Hotbox Wild Wellness Spa – Loch Tay
If you’re planning a self-drive adventure, we can recommend experiences that fit naturally into your route.
You can also browse our Wild Wellness Guide for more ideas, including wild swimming, mindful hikes, paddleboarding and other ways to experience Scotland at a slower pace.