Seaview Sauna Dunnet Bay

There's a rather eccentric sauna sitting bang on the beach at Dunnet Bay, a few miles south of Thurso. It's a proper out-there experience - the kind of thing you stumble upon in the Highlands and think, "Well, that's unusual." You get changed in a small wooden structure, then wade into the cold North Sea before or after a steam, depending on your pain threshold. The whole setup feels refreshingly unpretentious, like someone simply decided the bay needed a sauna and got on with it.

It's mainly for the hardy souls who fancy a bit of contrast bathing - that shock of heat followed by freezing seawater does something to your system, whether you believe in its benefits or not. Not one for the faint-hearted or small children, but if you're the type to embrace discomfort for the story, you'll love it. The views across the bay are genuinely grand, and there's something quite meditative about the whole ritual when the weather's cooperating.

Getting details is tricky as opening varies with seasons and weather. Best to ring ahead or check locally in Thurso. If you're camping at Little Croft Highlands nearby, this makes for an oddball afternoon excursion - it's the sort of thing that becomes a proper holiday anecdote. Allow an hour or so, bring a towel that won't get ruined, and don't expect luxury facilities. That's rather the point.