Stornoway wellness tourism business expands

About the business

Founded by husband-and-wife team Norma and Neil MacLeod, Immerse Hebrides Ltd was established in 2021 and has been trading as Saltbox Sauna since October 2023. The business specialises in wellness tourism, offering activities such as sea swimming tours, wildlife boat excursions and the unique Saltbox Sauna experience, which offers visitors the chance to enjoy wood-fired barrel saunas by the sea.  

The business’ saunas are all situated to frame some of the best coastal views of the Hebrides and beyond. Saltbox Sauna also sells a range of wellness products to boost the overall experience, including a body scrub, an after-sauna face balm and an insulated sauna bottle.  

How Business Gateway has helped

The sauna element of the pair’s business has proved to be particularly popular with visitors and locals alike. Keen to keep up with demand and grow their business, Norma and Neil approached Business Gateway and received one-to-one support from a dedicated adviser, who was able to signpost the duo to the funding needed to expand Saltbox Sauna’s offering.  

Norma and Neil received grant support through the Outer Hebrides Young Enterprise Support Scheme, which is funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and delivered by the Comhairle’s Business Gateway team. This funding supported the purchase of a second sauna.  

The pair also accessed grant funding from the Outer Hebrides Business Development Scheme and loan funding from the Comhairle’s Revolving Loan Fund, which assisted with the purchase costs of the third sauna.  

Thanks to these additional saunas, Norma and Neil have been able to grow their business as planned, allowing them to increase their turnover and employ additional staff.  

Norma MacLeod, owner, Saltbox Sauna, said: “We believe in wellness through nature and are committed to offering one of the most accessible wellness experiences in the Outer Hebrides. Thanks to the support from Business Gateway, we’ve been able to add two more saunas, allowing us to welcome even more locals and visitors to enjoy our services.”