Latest news with #WildScottishSauna
The Courier
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Bid for seaside sauna on St Andrews common good land rejected
A bid to open a mobile sauna on St Andrews common good land has been refused. Wild Scottish Sauna received planning permission to open on land overlooking the East Sands a year ago. However, it ran into a wave of objections when it emerged the plot belongs to the community and is well-used. Once a putting green, it is now the site of the annual St Andrews Harbour Gala. North east Fife councillors opposed a separate application for use of the land earlier this year. However, they had to refer it to the cabinet committee for a final decision. Twenty-one objections were received, along with three letters in support. Objectors raised fears approval could set a precedent for other applications. They also objected to the loss of public amenity land and a common good asset, as well as the potential for anti-social behaviour. A decline in air quality and parking issues were also raised. Meanwhile, Fife Coast and Countryside Trust had concerns about the availability of public toilets, changing facilities and the disposal of barbecue waste. And St Andrews Harbour Trust objected on the grounds it would have to find a new location for its gala. However, supporters said it would increase revenue for other nearby businesses and bring in £16,000 a year for the common good fund. The area is regularly used for sea swimming and a sauna would enhance the experience, they added. Cabinet committee members backed their north east Fife colleagues by unanimously rejecting the East Sands sauna application. The outcome has been welcomed by St Andrews SNP councillor Ann Verner. She said: 'The land is held in trust for the people of St Andrews. 'It's not the council's to hand out for private ventures. 'My feeling is we'd be setting a dangerous precedent if we start allowing commercial operators to encroach on space that belongs to the community.' The Courier has contacted Wild Scottish Sauna for comment. It operates five other saunas – four in Fife and one in Angus.
The Courier
24-04-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Forbes of Kingennie launch wild swimming and sauna experience
A new wild swimming and sauna experience has been launched at a well-known country resort close to Dundee. Visitors to Forbes of Kingennie will be able to swim outdoors in a spring water-fed, heart-shaped pond converted from one of its former fishing ponds. The popular wedding venue's mobile sauna will also allow guests to cosy up with stunning views of the water and hills beyond. The sauna is available for exclusive or shared use. The resort has partnered with Fife-based Wild Scottish Sauna to create the new addition. building on existing sites at Kingsbarns and Eden Springs, near Cupar. Libby Sutherland, partner at Forbes of Kingennie, hopes the new experience will attract people near and far to the resort. 'We are so excited to have joined forces with Wild Scottish Sauna to create a visitor experience that is truly unique,' she said. 'We are located in the quiet countryside and have created an invigorating swimming space that's like no other. 'After a refreshing dip in the pond, which is fed by clean water from a spring, it feels amazing to heat up in the sauna.' She added: 'Both saunas and wild swimming have many documented benefits to health and wellbeing, so we hope the new swim and sauna offering will bring day visitors from the Dundee area as well as further afield. 'It will also add to the overall experience to our guests who travel from far and wide to stay in our lakeside and woodland lodges.' Bookings are now being taken for the sauna on Thursdays through to Sundays, but advance booking is not needed for swimming.
