Soul Water Sauna : Granton, Edinburgh
Updated: Oct 14
Soul Water wild sauna sits right on the beach promenade at Granton, offering the best of both worlds. It has the buzz, energy and easy accessibility of Edinburgh on its doorstep, while its position on the Firth of Forth and wide skies offer a chance to connect with the outdoors while still being firmly part of the city.
Our Wild Sauna Visit
We visited Soul Water on a mild October afternoon and, having never experienced a sauna on this scale before, were a little apprehensive that the larger, busier setting might lack the calm and relaxation we enjoy in smaller saunas. Soul Water was busy and sociable with a lovely energy and sense of community. We found ourselves enjoying the gentle buzz while still having plenty of opportunity to relax, warm up and take in the views across the Firth of Forth.
Multiple of saunas to choose from Seating area Plunge pools Little Bear interior Water bucket and ladle Big Bear interior Changing rooms Storage area Water shoes available Sauna hats and small lock boxes Flavoured water available Herbal tea available at the end of your session Sauna treats also available M having a rinse off The Forth is also a dook option
Guide to Facilities
Parking & Directions
This Wild sauna is easily accessible by public transport, bike or on foot. There is also unrestricted parking available all along West Shore Road.
Changing
There is a large open changing space with 4 more private cubicles also available. Cubicles have a small shelf and a couple of pegs, the short saloon style doors do not lock. There are lots of hooks for hanging bags and belongings in the open changing space as well as 20 cage lockers for storing your things. For more security, Soul Water has 30 small lock boxes suitable for jewelry or phones.
Host
Our host Joe greeted us warmly with an introduction to the space and facilities. He explained the various options for cooling down, the benefits of using their sauna hats and that guests are able to move freely between the available saunas.
The Hot Bit
There are two cedar wood-fired saunas, each with its own character and atmosphere. Named Little Bear and Big Bear after the constellations, their names reflect the sauna’s connection to nature and the wild. Both have bench seating across two tiers, with the larger Big Bear arranged in a U-shape around the stove. Several picture windows offer glimpses out to the Firth of Forth, and the generous layout makes this sauna feel spacious and sociable, with room for up to 16 people. Little Bear is a more intimate experience, seating up to six around the stove near the door, creating a cosier atmosphere.
There are plenty of sauna hats available to help regulate your temperature, particularly useful when sitting on the upper benches. There are no sand timers in either sauna, encouraging you to put away the clock-watching and instead listen to your body, noticing when it is time to step outside, cool down and take a break. Joe gave out orange slices to mark the final 15 minutes of our session.
The Cold Bit
There are plenty of cushioned seats outside the saunas for those who prefer to cool down gradually, sit and chat, or simply take in the views. Sandals are a must for comfort as the area outside the saunas is pebbled with only a few stepping stones. For a quicker cool-down, there is a cold shower, as well as two two-person plunge pools. The plunge pools are quite deep, with a built-in seat that doubles as a step to help you get in and out. We’d recommend staggering your sauna rounds to avoid a rush for the cooling facilities and waiting for space in the plunge pools.
For the full wild sauna experience, head along the walkway, over the boulders and down to the rocky beach for a refreshing dook in the Firth of Forth. From the water, you have views of the bridges and across the Firth towards Burntisland. The beach is rocky rather than sandy, so sand shoes or sturdy sandals are a must. If you don't have your own, Soul Water has several pairs available to borrow.
Food/Drinks Nearby
Water and cups are provided. Complimentary herbal teas mark the end of your session. The Pit street food market is directly behind the saunas offering a variety of drinks and meals.
Good to Know
Soul Water offer all sorts of events such as quieter Sunday Slow Down sessions, Guided Aufguss with Sauna Masters, Sound Rituals and Queer Community events.
This post is based on our own experience at the time of our visit.
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