OUR STORY
Elie Seaside Sauna opened on Elie Harbour in June 2022 - the first mobile sauna in Scotland to receive planning permission, and born out of Elie's sea-swimming community. It was inspired by the mobile sauna movement of Scotland's Nordic neighbours, re-establishing a connection between the two cultures that goes back a long way. From the start, it attracted public and press attention, and quickly became known as one of the best places for sauna and wild swimming in Scotland.
Judith's Journey
I grew up swimming in St Andrews' Step Rock Pool, now gone - I was first photographed there as a baby. Since then I've spent years travelling throughout the UK, Ireland and the Nordic region, swimming in outdoor pools and experiencing every kind of sauna and hot-and-cold thermal bath I could find, backed by proper research into the tradition of sauna-bathing and regular trips to Finland.
That research turned into formal training. I'm Scotland's first Accredited Sauna Master, trained by Deborah Carr - British Sauna Society Director and UK Aufguss judge - and I hold Level 2 leaf-whisking accreditation. I'm also a 200-hour qualified yoga teacher, which is why yoga and sauna sit side by side at Elie.
Where We Are Today
We're sauna operators, not just a sauna business. What started as one wood-fired sauna on the dunes at Elie has grown into three: Elie, St Andrews and Cellardyke, each built by hand, each with its own view. Alongside sessions, we now run memberships, seasonal events, yoga classes, professional sauna training courses, and Nordic Sauna Retreats to Oslo and Finland.
FAQs
Who founded Scottish Seaside Saunas?
Judith Dunlop, who opened the first sauna at Elie Harbour in June 2022.
Is Judith a qualified sauna master?
Yes - she's Scotland's first Accredited Sauna Master, trained by British Sauna Society Director Deborah Carr, and also holds Level 2 leaf-whisking accreditation.
How many locations do you have?
Currently three — Elie, St Andrews and Cellardyke, all on the Fife coast.