Let’s welcome Emma O’Kelly who is no stranger to SaunaTimes and the sauna universe.
Emma O’kelly is a British journalist and author who has become an influential voice in modern sauna culture, particularly through her writing and media work. She wrote the acclaimed book Sauna: The Power of Deep Heat, review here, in which she explores the traditions, health benefits, and cultural significance of sauna across Europe, drawing on extensive travel and research.
Emma was also featured on the Sauna Talk podcast, episode here, where she discussed her book, her journey from sauna novice to enthusiast, and why authentic sauna experiences matter to wellness and culture. Her podcast appearance helped introduce sauna traditions and health perspectives to a wider global audience. Especially here in the USA, where many are reading this in their cubes, pushing away their TPS reports and now closing their eyes to imaging cooling down in the cold Atlantic waters between rounds.
Let’s tour the Scottish shoreline with Emma O’Kelly. “The 188 km Fife Coastal Path is famed for its pretty seaside villages and harbours. It’s well worth the hike and has a long standing tidal pool tradition which has been revived by the boom in cold water swimming. Wild saunas have popped up all along the Fife coast and it’s easy to get a train to Edinburgh and then another to Leven where the coastal path begins and do the whole trip without a car.”
The tour starts in Largo, and heads East:
| Sauna | Description | Adjacency | |
| 1 | Soulwater | This horsebox sauna was one of the UK’s OGs, initially bewildering locals. Now it’s always booked and offers fantastic sea dips. | Walking along the sandy beach of the upscale neighbourhood of Portobello |
| 2 | Big Bear and Little Bear | Soulwater’s bigger sister in the up-and-coming Granton neighborhood has two saunas, cold plunges, and sea dips. | The Pitts next door offers drinks, food, and cool vibes. |
| 3 | Largo Castaway | In the village of Largo, with a sunset view over the Firth of Forth | The Crusoe Hotel – named after local resident Robinson Crusoe |
| 4 | Scottish Seaside sauna Elie | Sea swim | Post-sauna snacks at The Ship Inn the fashionable town of Elie. Swim right across the bay at high tide. |
| 5 | Cellardyke sauna | Horsebox sauna at windswept Cellardyke with nothing but seals and a trailer cafe for company. | Swim in the brilliant tidal pool renovated by local fundraisers |
| 6 | Wild Scottish Sauna Kingsbarns | Sea swims and a hike to the Cambo estate with its farm shop and famous bluebell forests | Stay near Kingsbarns in the village of Crail at The Shoregate- chic boutique hotel with a very nice gastro restaurant. |
| 7 | St Andrews Seaside Sauna | Wild Scottish Sauna St Andrews | At the East Sands beach where sunrise swims are popular |
| 8 | Wild Scottish Sauna | On the beautiful dramatic West Sands beach With its white sand | Book a thermal spa day at The Old Course Hotel nearby |
| 9 | Cupar | On the Eden Springs Loch inland near Cupar | Dive off the jetty into a fresh water lake on this wild nature reserve |
