Thaw: Loch Earn, Perthshire
Nestled on the shores of Loch Earn in the picturesque village of St Fillans, Thaw Sauna offers a memorable wild sauna experience surrounded by the dramatic beauty of the central Highlands. It’s the perfect place to reset after a day exploring the nearby hills, with the chance to warm up in the sauna before taking a refreshing plunge in the loch.
Our Wild Sauna Visit
We visited Thaw on a sunny Sunday morning in August. Its peaceful setting immediately invited us to slow down, relax into the heat and soak up the beauty of our surroundings.
Thaw Sauna View out the door M going for a dook Sauna interior All the cool down options Pine tar infused water for Löyly View out to the loch Changing tents Storage box
Guide to Facilities
Parking & Directions
Thaw wild sauna is located directly opposite the Loch Earn Bar in the village of St Fillans on the A85. There are plenty of options for on and off street parking throughout the village, all just a short walk to the sauna which sits on the bank of the loch.
Changing
Two individual changing tents are available next to the sauna with a large storage container for keeping belongings.
Host
We were greeted warmly by host and owner Kyle, alongside his young daughter Izzy (a natural little host in the making) and Ralph, the water-loving sauna dog. After an orientation of the space we were given space to enjoy the sauna at our own pace.
The Hot Bit
Kyle built this converted horsebox sauna himself creating a light and airy space, with the glass door and picture windows providing beautiful views across the loch, hills and surrounding countryside. The windows on either side let in plenty of natural light and give you the option of some people-watching as you relax in the heat.
The wood-fired sauna comfortably seats six on benches facing each other, with soft mood lighting adding a luxurious feel. Movable headrests are another thoughtful touch that make it easy to settle in and get comfortable. The löyly water is infused with pine tar. There are no sauna hats so bring your own if you prefer to use one. A sand timer allows you to manage your session. Izzy gave us a reminder near the end of our session to let us know our time was coming to an end.
The Cold Bit
Thaw offers plenty of options for cooling down after your sauna. If you prefer to take things slowly, you can relax on the wooden bench outside and soak up the stunning lochside views while your body cools naturally.
For a quicker refresh, there are several buckets of cold loch water, a whisky barrel plunge from nearby Glenturret Distillery (which still has a lovely, subtle whisky scent) and a large steel tub. For the ultimate immersion in the natural surroundings, Loch Earn is very inviting. We’d recommend bringing sandals or water shoes to make getting in and out of the loch a little easier.
Food/Drinks Nearby
A water jug is available to top up your water bottles.
For snacks or meals, there is the Loch Earn Bar & Coffee Shop and also the Village Store & Café. Kyle was happy to help with recommendations.
Good to Know
Although a mobile sauna, the plan is to make the current location in St Fillans a more permanent base.
Thaw wild sauna is available for private event hire.
Link to website
This post is based on our own experience at the time of our visit.
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