By STEPHEN RAFFERTYSWIMMERS ARE lapping up a Finnish-style
sauna after plunging into the icy waters on
Portobello beach.
Soul Water Sauna, located on the Promenade
at Bedford Street, is promoting the health benefits
of hot and cold therapy for those brave enough to
don bathing costumes, and also welcomes
community bookings from individuals.
Owner Kirsty Carver said she has been
overwhelmed by the interest in her steam room
on wheels – a custom built wood-fired sauna
constructed from storm damage rescued wood
including larch, silver birch and hazel.
Groups of eight people can book for a private
session lasting one hour (£100), while community
bookings include up to seven individuals at £
per person.
Increased interest in a healthier post-Christmas
lifestyle is credited with some of the interest while
Portobello’s reputation as a natural home to “wild
swimmers” is drawing in a large number of
people who want to mix sea swimming with the
hot coals heat benefits of a sauna.
Kirsty said: “The response since we opened
before Christmas has been amazing and we have
had all ages, from an 11-year-old girl and 12-year-
old boy with their mother, to an 84-year-old man
who came with his daughter.
“Most bookings are from sea swimmers who
want to enjoy the dual benefit of a cold swim with
the welcoming heat of our sauna. Users tend to
mix up the session with two or three dips in the
sea then returning to the sauna. With individual
bookings, some people are a bit unsure if it’s forthem, but once the cabin door is closed there is
an instant rapport and they soon start chatting
and making new friends.”
At the moment Soul Water Sauna is open on
Friday mornings and evenings, Saturday
mornings and Sunday evenings, but Kirsty is
recruiting staff and opening hours will be
extended.
She added: “It appears that a lot of people are
done with the overeating and drinking of
Christmas and are looking at healthier ways ofspending time and connecting with friends and
family that doesn’t involve the pub.
“We are located at a really nice spot at the quiet
end of the prom, which is beneficial for users as
there is a bit more space without being too much
in the public eye.”
Advice for those looking to book a sauna
session – come ready dressed with costume/
trunks under clothing; bring two towels, one to
sit on the other to dry; and take plenty of water.
http://www.soulwatersauna.comBy OLIVIA THOMASMORE THAN 11 million
passengers used Edinburgh
Airport, compared to only three
million in 2021.
Edinburgh Airport has
published its 2022 passenger
traffic statistics, signalling what it
describes as a strong recovery
compared with both the previous
year and its busiest year on
record, which was 2019.
As 11,261,873 people travelled
through the airport in 2022, this
was still 3 million passengers less
than in 2019 when Edinburgh
Airport recorded the highest
Scottish airport figures of 14.
million passengers.
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive
of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We
are encouraged by the ongoing
recovery in passenger numbers in
2022, which we hope in turnreflects more economic activity
across the country, as inbound
visitors to Scotland provide a
much-needed shot in the arm for
our tourism and hospitality
industries.
“There is little doubt that
people want to travel – both from
Scotland for holidays or businessopportunities or those
international tourists coming to
experience the best of Scotland’s
visitor attractions and beautiful
places and landmarks.
“The important challenge for
us, in partnership with the city,
the Scottish Government and
others, is to facilitate growth in aresponsible way and in a way that
protects the vast number of
high-quality jobs that airports
provide, both directly and
indirectly through airlines,
handling agents among others,
and the supply chain that
supports us all.”
http://www.edinburghairport.com15
Portobello’s Soul Water Sauna all fired up to welcome swimmers
A warm welcome
Strong recovery for Edinburgh Airport in 2022
Agnew face
arrives at IoD
By STAFF REPORTERTHE INSTITUTE of Directors has
appointed Nathalie Agnew as
its new chair of the Edinburgh &
Lothians Branch.
Nathalie is a reputation and
communications specialist who launched
Edinburgh-based PR agency Muckle
Media in 2012 following a career working
in large global comms agencies.
She said: “The IoD plays a pivotal role
in supporting and developing directors
for a better world. I am delighted to be
leading the work of the Edinburgh and
Lothians branch, building upon the
fantastic work of outgoing chair Julie
Ashworth. I look forward to engaging
with and growing the membership and
championing key themes including
diversity and inclusion and
sustainability.”
Catherine McWilliam, Nations Director
of IoD Scotland said: “We are thrilled
to welcome Nathalie as our new Chair
of the Edinburgh & Lothians branch of
IoD Scotland.
“Her diverse career and personal
experience, combined with her
commitment to connecting and
engaging with cross-sector directors
in Edinburgh makes her an excellent
fit for the role of Chair. Both our
existing members and those who
are considering joining, have a true
champion to work with as they continue
to focus on great governance and
leadership, while navigating a
complicated business landscape.”GET IN TOUCH
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reporter.co.ukBUSINESS
Laurence Winram