Float away your troubles

Written by Helen Fowler

Tired by the hustle and bustle of daily life? Worn down by winter? You could escape with a trip to the Edinburgh Floatarium in Stockbridge.

You can float there for an hour in one of the womb-like flotation tanks. No need to jump up and check your email. No phones ringing. Nobody calling for you.

Automatically float

Tanks are light and sound-proof. They're filled with ten inches of water, heated to body temperature. Epsom salts and minerals mean you automatically float on the water surface.

You have the choice to float in silence or listen to music.

Stress relief

Floating on water promotes potent and lasting relief from stress, aches and pains and mental fatigue, promise the owners. Floating also helps positive and creative thinking.

Alternatively, if that doesn't take your fancy, you could try one of the other therapies available. The Floatarium offers facials, aromatherapy massage, reflexology, shiatsu, reiki and Indian head massage. It's one of my favourite places for buying candles and wind chimes.

Based in Stockbridge

Stockbridge, home to the Floatarium, is one of Edinburgh's most attractive areas. There are lots of independent cafe's and shops. And you can pick up bargains in the many charity shops there.

Just across the road from the Floatarium, in picturesque St Stephen's Street, is one of my favourite cafes, Sprio. The coffee there is among the best in the city, on a par with anything you would find in Italy. It might be just the thing after an hour's float.

McCall Smith

And, of course, as befits any Edinburgh institution, the Floatarium has featured in the pages of Alexander McCall Smith.

Edinburgh Floatarium, 29 North West Circus Place, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 6TP, tel: 0131 225 3350