Trying the newest mobile Sauna on the Isle of Mull

When I decided to have a big adventure-ful year, I knew I wanted to get started on the 1st January and hit the ground running. That’s how I found myself with an 8am alarm on New Years Day, and a faint hint of regret at deciding to book the first slot of the day at the Isle of Mull’s mobile sauna, The Island Sauna Shack.

Community sauna’s have become a thing in the last year or so, and I’m kind of here for it. 55 minuted of hot and cold therapy, looking over beautiful views of Tobermory bay, and talking to some really interesting people. Because yes, I wasn’t the only one wanting to start 2026 in a wellness way.

Why are we all obsessed with saunas?

This isn’t my first time going to a mobile sauna and sea dip, but it has confirmed to me that I need to be doing this on the reg because I always feel so good after one.

But why are we suddenly all in our sauna era? And why are there so many sauna’s popping up on the shores of our lakes and coast?

We’re in an era of chasing happiness. Trying to find more daily joy. Finding pockets of adventure into our everyday. It makes sense to look at what the countries who are regularly voted the happiest do, and one country that consistently tops the list is Finland.

Sauna is a way of life in Finland, and a key part of the culture, with many Finnish people going for sauna’s on a weekly basis. Sauna culture is considered essential for relaxation, socialising, and overall well-being, and I think this is what has drawn us in.

By booking ourselves into these sauna sessions, it’s an hour just for us. No phone, no one asking us to do anything or think. Just an hour to sit, contemplate, relax and just be.

There is also a lot of research on the health benefits of sauna. It’s been shown that regular sauna use can reduce inflammation and blood pressure, plus there’s ongoing research which shows that there could be positive effects of sauna use on respiratory health, dementia and cardiovascular health.

All about the Island Sauna Shack on the Isle of Mull

Now onto my first microadventure of the year. Whilst I did have the initial regret of a 9am sauna on New Years Day, that quickly dissipated as I slipped off my crocs and walked into the tiny sauna on the harbour of Tobermory. The heat instantly relaxed, even if it was a bit of a squeeze to fit in.

After a quick shuffle (it’s a little bit like Tetris as everyone finds their spot), we all got into a rhythm. Gentle chatter, hearing about different peoples lives, and then encouraging each other to brave it out into the cold and dip in the sea.

It’s funny when there’s a group of 7, and seeing everyone’s different approach to braving the cold. Me and mum went down the slipway to gently dip, along with another woman. One man, a local and regular polar plunger, jumped straight off the pontoon, with a gasp from the rest of us. Two guys started with the cold buckets provided, before daring to jump in on the last round.

What was lovely was how relaxing it was. How supportive it was. There was no right way to do it, no one judging anyone for how they did it, everyone congratulating each other for even daring to step outside (into hailstones at one point!)

I’m excited to book in and go again when I’m next on the island, and excited to see where it will be next! Because it’s a mobile sauna, it moves around the island with its three main locations being Tobermory, Calgary and Salen. At £16pp for a session, it’s a lovely way to relax into your stay on the island.

Mull is one of my favourite places in the world, so if you’re planning a trip I have lots of guides from where to eat, to how to spend a week on the island, and a guide to Tobermory. If you’re looking for more wellness adventures, you can find more ideas here, and make sure to follow along on instagram for daily microadventure tips!