Finnish Summerhouse Rules

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finnish summer house rules

The cottage is a sacred place for Finns and the summertime rituals associated with it touch the very essence of the Finnish soul.

Whether located on a remote isle in the Archipelago Sea or by a lake in the woods, the cottage is where you go to connect with nature, listen to the sounds of silence and let the outside world fall away.

There are over half a million cottages in Finland that range from basic cabins to summer villas. For most Finns, however, the quintessential experience is found in simplicity. The traditional Finnish cottage or kesämökki has few modern amenities and yet all you really need to nourish mind and body. While running water, indoor plumbing and electricity are all optional, the sauna is a vital element in almost every summer dwelling and will ensure your immersion in Finnish culture and Nordic wellness.

At its core, cottage life, known as mökkielämä in Finnish, is equated with slow living and treading softly on the land. If you have the opportunity to visit one, there are a few things you should know. Call them “The Finnish Summerhouse Rules”, if you like.

1. Let Nature be your guide

Finland is covered in a vast arctic forest, interspersed with marine wetlands. The Taiga, which is made up of birch, pine and spruce trees,
produces an abundance of fruit and wild herbs, a result of the short but intense growing season. However it also contains a fragile ecosystem of low-lying shrubs, mosses and lichen which are easily disturbed and slow to replenish themselves.

Finns consider themselves guests in the wilderness. Respect for wildlife and the environment is deeply ingrained and allows for a harmonious co- existence. Follow the Finns’ lead as an eco tourist and help preserve Finland’s natural habitats and unspoilt nature.

In early summer, birds are nesting and at their most vulnerable. If threatened, they may abandon their nests or attack — defensive displays of winged aggression are not uncommon – so take care not to venture too close. Encounters with wild animals are always best experienced on their terms and from a safe distance.

Ancient rocky seasides along coastal areas, some of which date as far back as the Ice Age, are also easily eroded. Minimise your ecological footprint by being sensitive to your surroundings, sticking to the trails and observing any rules and regulations you see posted along the way.

2. Silence, please

Ideally, the summerhouse is a place for quiet contemplation. Consider your stay a retreat and the cottage a temple of calm. Avoid excessive noise out of respect for your neighbours, both wild and human, and embrace the serenity of the countryside.

Tune into nature and find your inner zen. Keep voices and music to reasonable levels and rather than traveling by speedboat, why not be your own motor? Pick up a paddle, explore and enjoy, and get into the rhythm of the Finnish summer.

3. Water sense

Most cottages are situated near a lake or by the sea, each of which contains its own delicate ecosystem that should be treated with care. There are a few simple tips to keep waters clean and free from contamination.

Carry your water to the sauna for bathing, dishes and laundry and dispose of any grey water at least 200 metres from shore. Use eco-friendly products and be sure to check that they are certified as not all products labelled green are safe.

Bathing in the sauna also contributes to water conservation. A system of small basins for washing and rinsing followed by a swim is a lovely ritual to practice and a more sustainable alternative to showering.

If there is running water at the cottage, it often comes from a privately dug
well and there is not an endless supply. Use it wisely and as little as possible.

4. Unplug and unwind

Living simply means living with less and this includes energy consumption.

Many seasonal cottages in Finland have no electricity at all while others use renewable solar and wind energy. Regardless of whether you are on or off the grid, the long summer days provide plenty of natural light so why not switch off and take a holiday from the hum of daily life!

Try leaving devices such as phones and computers at home and unplug any appliances when not in use as electricity will continue to bleed. And as the sun finally begins to wane and fade into dusk, light a candle, or take nature’s cue, and call it a day.

5. Eat Wild

There is an extraordinary bounty of wild foods that thrive during the Finnish summer — enough to make you swoon. Everyman’s Right gives Finns and visitors alike the right to roam the Finnish countryside freely. Foraging is a favourite pastime here and it is highly recommended that you bring a pair of rubber boots to the cottage. Journey into the woods where you will discover a mouth-watering array of superfoods such as blueberries, sea buckthorn, golden chanterelles and edible plants, all for the taking.

Finland’s lakes and surrounding sea are also plentiful. Angling is free and is a lovely, meditative summertime activity. By far the most common fish found in Finnish waters is the perch. It also happens to be Finland’s national fish. Try cooking it on an open fire served up with new potatoes, foraged greens and mushroom sauce. Eating al fresco doesn’t get better than this!

6. Keep it clean

Finns like to keep their summer homes uncluttered and clean, if not spotless. This might seem over the top to some but there is a peacefulness to be found in a sparse, fresh abode that is part of the Finnish cottage experience.

As a rule, shoes are never worn indoors and there is often a pail of water outside the door to wash sandy feet.

Reduce your waste and reuse rather than bringing a lot of recyclables to the cottage. Eat the fruits of the forest and consider slow cooking with natural ingredients instead of food wrapped in excess packaging. A zero- waste approach is easier than you might think and is perfectly suited to the simplicity of cottage living.

7. love “The Pikkula”

If you are visiting a Finnish summerhouse, chances are that you will find yourself sitting on one of these! The pikkula is a dry, composting toilet, otherwise known as an outhouse. If that sounds too rustic, rest assured that not all outdoor toilets are created equally. Some of the prettiest pikkulas can found in the Finnish countryside. Finns’ generally high standards for cleanliness extend to their bathrooms and so don’t be surprised to find freshly-cut flowers, hooked rugs and other aesthetic touches when using the loo in the wild.

Pikkulas are not just beautiful – they are an essential part of an ecological Finnish summer cottage. All the plumbing and waste management work that would otherwise be needed would not usually be very nature-friendly

Outhouse etiquette usually requires a scoop of sawdust after each use to break down waste and reduce odours for the next in line. Ideally there should be no unnatural products, including paper, going into the hole. If there are no specific rules, however, use your best judgement and be an eco guest.

Advances in Finnish pikkula design have helped make the traditional outhouse not only more pleasant but greener. Many of them now separate waste, have built-in ventilation systems and are designed for easy cleaning. Some even compost household bio waste too. All of which is to say the pikkula should not be feared and in fact makes a noble contribution to sustainable living.

8. Relax and rejuvenate

The most important rule of all is to experience the restorative qualities and genuine feeling of bliss that come with summertime and cottage life in Finland. You might discover that living without modern conveniences makes for a better life.

Rules in Brief

1. You are nature’s guest. Respect wildlife and their natural habitats. Stick to the trails and observe “no go” zones where plants and animals may be vulnerable to a human footprint.

2. Embrace the stillness of the natural world and avoid loud noises.

3. Help keep Finland’s waters pristine. Use eco-friendly products and swim, don’t bath, do dishes or laundry, in the lakes and sea.

4. Conserve water by using less. Take bucket showers in the sauna, save rainwater and turn off the taps.

5. Unplug, and disconnect. Save energy and go off the grid even if you have power.

6. Eat wild, seasonal, locally-grown food.

7. Aim for zero-waste. Re-use and don’t just re-cycle. Avoid packaging and single-use products.

8. Love the Finnish “pikkula” – follow outhouse etiquette and don’t throw any unnatural products into the loo.

9. Relax and restore. Get the most out of Finnish cottage life by living slowly and sustainably.

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Article

finnish summer house rules

Finnish Summerhouse Rules

1. Let Nature be your guide

2. Silence, please

3. Water sense

4. Unplug and unwind

5. Eat Wild

6. Keep it clean

7. love “The Pikkula”

8. Relax and rejuvenate

Rules in Brief

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