Scotland is sweltering in another heatwave, and Taymouth Marina has just given us the perfect excuse to escape to the water. The luxury lochside resort in Highland Perthshire has launched the HotBoat Cruising Sauna – a UK-first wild wellness experience that blends hot and cold therapy with the slow, scenic magic of Loch Tay.
Part floating sauna, part luxury mini-cruise, HotBoat is designed for up to six people – so you can round up your besties, your other half, or your family and spend a day drifting across the loch with an experienced skipper at the helm. The route takes in uninterrupted views of Ben Lawers, Scotland’s highest mountain in the Breadalbane region, alongside pine-covered hillsides and the occasional curious osprey.
If you’ve ever tried Taymouth Marina’s famous HotBox Spa, you’ll know they don’t do half measures when it comes to relaxation. The HotBoat experience takes that same indulgent approach and puts it on the move, pairing the heat of a bespoke sauna with plunges into the clear, cool waters of Loch Tay.
Hot-and-cold therapy might be having its moment in the wellness world, but it’s rooted in centuries-old traditions — and modern research backs it up. A 2021 meta-analysis found that swapping between heat and cold helps reduce muscle soreness within 24 hours of exercise, thanks to improved blood flow and pain relief. Another 2024 study showed that contrast therapy — alternating warm and cold — can boost muscle elasticity, reduce tension, and speed recovery.
According to Resort Director Colin Farndon, the aim was to create something genuinely unique:
“The HotBoat Cruising Sauna is more than just a wellness experience; it’s an immersion into the heart of Highland Perthshire. We’ve crafted an offering that marries the benefits of hot and cold therapy with the tranquillity and beauty of Loch Tay. This is luxury slow wellness at its finest.”
With space for just six guests and a skipper to guide the way, the vibe is intimate and unhurried – perfect for switching off, reconnecting, and forgetting about your inbox for a while.
With the sun blazing, Scotland’s lochs are practically begging for a dip. This is your sign to swap sweaty city pavements for crisp Highland air, plunge pools straight off the boat, and sauna sessions that leave you glowing (and not just from the heat).
If you’ve been looking for a reason to escape to the Highlands this summer, this is it – sun on your skin, loch water on your toes, and a sauna that quite literally goes where the wind takes it.
The details
- Where: Taymouth Marina, Kenmore, Perthshire
- What: UK’s first cruising sauna, combining luxury, wild swimming and unbeatable Highland scenery
- Who it’s for: Small groups of up to six (friends, family, couples)
- Highlight: Alternating sauna sessions with swims in Loch Tay, surrounded by views of Ben Lawers and the Breadalbane region
Find out more and book your spot at taymouthmarina.com.
