Clach Mara Sauna : Castletown, Caithness
- K
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
With the Gaelic Clach (stone) and Mara (sea), this wood fired sauna is perfectly named for its location. Clach Mara wild sauna sits high on Castletown beach in Caithness on the North coast of Scotland. This community oriented space creates a wild and beautiful escape into nature and a chance to connect, slow down and be present in the landscape.
Our Wild Sauna Visit
We visited Clach Mara on a short trip to the wild and rugged North Coast of Scotland looking to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate nature. We joined an evening session on an overcast July Thursday at the turning point of low tide.
Stone path down to the beach K enjoying the sauna Sauna interior Hats available View of sauna from the beach Cold shower and buckets available Sauna interior Changing area Entrance area to sauna
Guide to Facilities
Parking & Directions
There is small beach car park situated a short walk along a peaceful lane to the sauna. There is space for one car in the layby at the sauna itself. For detailed directions open map link:
Changing
There is no changing space at this wild sauna so bring your dry robe or large towel for privacy. Storage boxes and hooks outside are available to keep your belongings dry and contained.
Host
Our host Caorann was friendly and knowledgeable, explaining the space and ensuring everyone was comfortable and happy. To mark the halfway point in our session, Caorunn gave us a taster Aufguss session, creating aromatic loyly with an essential oils-infused ice ball.
The Hot Bit
Sessions at Clach Mara are a generous 80 minutes, allowing plenty of time to fully relax and unwind. The wild sauna has a practical porch area with shelves for storing water bottles, before a glass door leads you into the sauna itself.
The L-shaped, two-tier seating comfortably accommodates up to six people, with everyone able to enjoy the breathtaking views through the large picture window overlooking the beach and surrounding bay. Sauna hats are provided, and a sand timer in the porch allows you to keep track of your session time.
The Cold Bit
To complement the heat, there are several options for cooling down, including a drench bucket shower operated by a pump, a range of seating areas, watering cans, buckets, and of course, the refreshing sea itself. Access across the stones and beach is made easier with thoughtfully placed stepping stones, allowing you to make your way to the water with or without sandals or sea shoes.
The sandy seabed makes getting in and out of the water easy, and checking the tide times beforehand is recommended if you would prefer a shorter walk to the shoreline.
Food/Drinks Nearby
Water and cups are provided. An orange slice is served to mark the end of your sauna session. Electrolyte sachets are also available to buy. For something more substantial head to nearby Castletown or Thurso.
Good to Know
Clach Mara has a loyalty card for repeat visits and hosts monthly yoga and community sauna sessions. Towels and sauna hats are available to buy if you forget your own or want a memento of your visit. There is a blue tooth speaker for private sessions.
Clach Mara occasionally travels to popup locations at Thurso beach, Staxigoe Harbour in Wick and Melvich harbour. Sauna goers get a discount on paddleboarding at Northcoast Watersports.
Link to website
This post is based on our own experience at the time of our visit.
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