About

Fyrhùs

{fire-house}

Introducing our sauna in nature

FYRHÙS SAUNA, based in Morayshire, is a converted vintage Rice horse box. Wood-fired and lined with alder from sustainably managed forests in Finland. The wood is both aesthetically beautiful and comfortable to the touch. This wood use is off set by planting native trees in the Caledonian forest with ‘Trees for Life’ Scotland. We are also supporting Ripple Africa by planting trees in Malawi which provides a sustainable source of timber for local people.

The heat source is a Harvia M3 woodburning stove which heats up the stones (kivia) to the required temperature to produce steam (loyly) when water is poured on them. The wood we use is locally sourced kiln dried hardwood from Speyside firewood, with a low moisture content and cut into small pieces it gives the cleanest burn posslble.

The benefits of this heat therapy together with cold water immersion are well documented.

FIRE it up
SWEAT it out
COOL it down
Repeat....

The sauna is considered a sacred space, a 'Church of Nature' where people clean their bodies and minds, embracing a sense of inner peace

Alvar Aalto, (A Finnish architect who emphasised the importance of nature and wellness in his philosophy)

WHAT'S IN A NAME - Why FYRHÙS SAUNA?

FYRHÙS is an old Norse word in ancient Viking history.

It translates as fire house.

So did you know, back in the day…….

From the 8th until the 12th centuries Moray was roamed by Vikings and Picts. Always the adventurers they came in search of new territory, resources, trade and to exert power over the Picts. Passionate about their appearance, cleanliness and wellbeing they built steam rooms, hot tubs and cooling pools where they would gather with others, hold rituals, and then relax, maybe not unlike a communal sauna of today.

Vikings held regular social events, gathering family and friends around their FYRHÙS (the name given to the area in their longhouses which held the fireplace). In this area they would tell stories (sagas), keep warm and cook food . The fyrhus was believed to provide spiritual healing and protection, these practices were passed down through generations.

So when taking a wood fired sauna in our FYRHÙS, relaxing in a social setting, telling stories, improving your wellbeing, let your imagination flow……Viking style!

Our story

Happiest in nature, whether it be in their garden, walking, cycling, wild swimming, or in their campervan usually pointing west, Jo and Malcolm head up FYRHÙS SAUNA.

After a long career in physical education and yoga teaching, Jo is passionate about gathering people together and promoting wellbeing. Over the past few years she has enhanced this by growing and selling flowers locally in a sustainable and pesticide free environment. This also contributes to the wellbeing of those who buy them or are given them by others.

Malcolm, with a background in the motor industry and campervan conversion (formerly creator and owner of Moray Firth Camper and Caravan hire) works his magic to make the seemingly impossible, possible.

Together their skills compliment each other to provide a business which merges functionality with heart and soul.

As regular sauna/wild swimming participants Jo and Malcolm became excited by the growing culture of both in Scotland in recent years. This, together with knowledge of the enormous health benefits of CONTRAST THERAPY (sweat from the sauna heat, interspersed by cold water immersion) they found, and converted a large vintage horse box into a stylish wood fired sauna. Their aim – to share their findings and enthusiasm with others in and around their community.

So FYRHÙS SAUNA, immersed in nature and the elements was born.