Jupiter Artland Sound Bath & Brunch: A Relaxing Morning Near Edinburgh

There are some places around Edinburgh that I can happily visit more than once, and Jupiter Artland is definitely one of them.

I’d been to Jupiter Artland before, but when I spotted one of their morning Soundbath Experiences in the Glasshouse, with brunch included afterwards, it sounded like a rather lovely way to spend a morning with my husband. A bit of relaxation, some good food and, of course, the chance to have another wander around the sculpture park.

Sound Bath, Jupiter Artland

We arrived at Jupiter Artland before the park was open for the 10am session. The park was still and quiet, so perfect for getting into the zone for an hour of stillness and soundbathing. On arrival, we were greeted by Michelle from The Reiki Love Club, who was running the session. She asked us to pick an affirmation card for the session and to relax until it was time to start.

We got ourselves settled for the soundbath, and it was so peaceful lying under the glass of the Glasshouse with the sun shining in, cosy rugs and blankets keeping us comfortable. This wasn’t my first soundbath, so I knew roughly what to expect, but I always find that they’re slightly different depending on the setting and the person leading the session.

There’s something particularly relaxing about lying down, listening to the singing bowls and allowing yourself to properly switch off for a while. For the next hour or so, there was nowhere we needed to be and nothing we needed to do other than lie back and listen.

Michelle used Crystal Tones Alchemy Singing Bowls to create layers of sound that seemed to fill the entire space. The gentle vibrations and changing tones encouraged everyone to simply switch off for an hour and focus on being present.

Sound Bath Singing Bowls, Jupiter Artland

And, for someone whose brain is usually busy thinking about the next thing on the list, that’s quite a luxury.

Whether you believe in the wellness benefits of sound healing or simply enjoy having a quiet space away from the constant noise of everyday life, there was something undeniably calming about the experience. I lost track of time completely, which is probably the highest compliment I can give.

The Glasshouse is a beautiful setting for a soundbath, surrounded by greenery and natural light. As the sounds filled the space, it was surprisingly easy to forget that we were only a short drive from Edinburgh, except for the odd noise from a plane overhead as it approached or took off from Edinburgh Airport.

Once the soundbath finished and we’d all had a very good rest (there was definitely some snoring coming from various corners of the room!), it was time for brunch. The Glasshouse had been set up with tables along one wall, so we could continue to enjoy the serenity and the views while we ate. Brunch in the Glasshouse was a lovely way to come back down to earth after the soundbath.

Glasshouse Brunch, Jupiter Artland

We were offered tea, coffee and fresh juice, along with a choice of hot dishes. My husband opted for Eggs Benedict, while I went for smashed avocado on toast with a poached egg. Nothing too complicated, but exactly what I fancied after lying around doing very little for the previous hour.

There was something quite nice about the whole combination. Rather than rushing off as soon as the soundbath finished, we could sit down, have something to eat and enjoy the setting before heading outside.

And then we spent a long time walking around the grounds.

Although I’ve visited Jupiter Artland before, I don’t think you can ever really see everything in one visit. The sculpture park covers a huge area, with artworks dotted through woodland, meadow and landscaped areas. Some are immediately obvious, while others are much easier to miss if you’re not paying attention.

That’s one of the things I like about Jupiter Artland. It isn’t just a case of walking around looking at sculptures. You have to explore a little, follow the paths and see what you come across.

We took our time, stopping at the artworks along the way and enjoying the grounds. After the stillness of the soundbath and the leisurely brunch, there was no particular reason to hurry, so we didn’t.

In fact, we stayed for so long that by the time we were heading back towards the courtyard, we’d worked up an appetite again.

So, naturally, we treated ourselves to an epic sausage roll and a pasty from the Airstream in the courtyard. Because apparently a morning involving brunch wasn’t enough food for us. It turned out to be the perfect ending to the day.

If you’re planning your own visit, Jupiter Artland is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm, with last entry to the park at 3.30pm. The Soundbath Experience can be booked through the events section of the Jupiter Artland website, and the ticket for the soundbath also includes entry to the sculpture park.

Our soundbath lasted for an hour, followed by around another hour for brunch, although we then spent considerably longer wandering around the grounds – clearly we weren’t in any hurry to get home!

Jupiter Artland is easy to reach from Edinburgh by public transport, with the X27 or X40 buses running from the city centre. The stop is at the end of the drive, so it’s an easy walk into the park. If you’re driving, there’s free parking on site.

There’s something quite satisfying about having a day out where the itinerary isn’t packed from beginning to end. We had time to properly switch off, enjoy a leisurely brunch and then spend hours wandering around the grounds at our own pace.

Jupiter Artland is close enough to Edinburgh to make it an easy day out, but once you’re wandering through the grounds it feels much further away from the city.

I’d been to Jupiter Artland many times before, but this felt like a completely different way of experiencing it – and one I’d happily repeat.

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