Applecross Sports and Wellbeing Association has launched a new wood-fired sauna in the first of a series of projects designed to improve wellbeing, support good mental health, and reduce isolation, particularly during the darker winter months.
Located on the shore of Applecross Bay, the new community-run sauna has officially opened its doors, offering both local residents and visitors the chance to experience the restorative benefits of the northern hemisphere’s sauna culture in a spectacular Highland setting.
The volunteer group, Applecross Sports and Wellbeing Association, commissioned the sauna with support from local funding body Dòchas and the North Highland Initiative.
Additional funding was raised through a crowdfunding campaign and proceeds from the annual Applecross Duathlon, which is held each September and is also organised by the group.
Applecross Sauna offers both individual and group sessions, which can be booked online. While the sauna has a permanent home on the waterfront, it is fully mobile and will move to different locations around the peninsula to offer a variety of views and host special events.
Jess Whistance from Applecross Sports and Wellbeing Association said: “West Highland winters can be really tough. Daylight hours are short, the weather is wild, and living on a peninsula with only a few hundred people can feel isolating. We’d experienced how saunas in Scandinavia bring people together, and how they offer warmth, light and opportunity for connection in the darkness. It’s a place for gathering and community.”
She continued: “The heat of the sauna combined with a cold dip has proven benefits for calming the nervous system, easing sore muscles and clearing the head to boost positive thinking and joy. That’s why we really want everyone to give it a try, even if it’s just once.”
The community group is also planning further projects in Applecross. It currently rents the boatshed adjacent to the sauna and hopes to breathe new life into the historic building. Longer-term ambitions also include the development of a multi-use sports pitch, designed to benefit residents of all ages.
To book the sauna, visit: www.applecrosssauna.co.uk.
