The answer, according to Armour, is to not delay in getting your wet gear off and getting warm, no matter how amazing you feel in the moment. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |. There is nothing quite like dipping into a clear, steady loch, whilst surrounded by Scotland's most beautiful backdrops. Perfect for an afternoon dip. Can be very midgie-prone during summer months, so pack your Skin So Soft! Swimming Wild in Scotland by Alice Goodridge is an informative and inspiring book for both new and experienced wild swimmers, featuring over 100 of the best wild swimming spots across the Scottish mainland and islands.. Save time and get one of my bulletproof Scotland itineraries. Weve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country. While swimming here, you can look forward to paddling in the glistening waters while enjoying the sights of the dramatic dam and surrounding farmland. Not only is this more tolerable, it means that you can consider starting out with wild swimming without purchasing pricey gear like a wetsuit, then if you love it you can make the investment with confidence. Beautiful stretch of river among woods of Scots pine. I remember it like it was yesterday. An Lochan Uaine is no doubt one of the most striking wild swimming spots in Scotland, with stunning turquoise waters reminiscent of a Norwegian lake. (Not ideal for children unless supervised.) After paddling in the cool waters, be sure to settle down on the nearby picnic benches and soak up the calming sounds of the waterfall. Its a wonderful place for a swim, however, due to its depth of 98 feet, it should only be tackled by experienced wild swimmers. Haha for me it really depends on the outside temperature sometimes it is just the best thing in the world to jump into freezing cold winter. Lots of good entry points around the loch, with shallow water for paddling and deeper parts for more serious swimmers. Admittedly, a hot day in Scotland might still make some of you reach for your jackets, but if you are the adventurous kind, you might want to reconsider. My favourite holiday destination in the UK has to be Suffolk, I have so many Sign up to receive exclusive offers, competitions and the latest news to your inbox, and you'll be entered into our monthly prize-draw 3 times! *Calls to this number will incur a charge. Sorry, no records were found. Suitable for:Families. Elegant white A beautiful wide gorge opening out to very large, still river pool (200m). The pool is pretty shallow, making for a family-friendly spot for a dip. It was a bit of a scramble to the shoreline, but a much more secluded experience. Following the advice of the receptionist, we therefore put on our bathing suits and made our way to the blue bridge across river behind the hostel. With just a short journey from Stirling, Trossachs National Park in Stirlingshire holds some of the most picturesque backdrops in the world, surrounded by spectacular mountains and munros, the tranquil beauty of the lochs are truly irresistible. Thats just a wee bit chilly for this Florida native! Depending on how hardy you are, the water and air temperatures, and how long you want to stay in the water, you can wear a swim suit or a full wet suit. Armour was speaking about his epic voyage at the Fort William Mountain Festival (opens in new tab) in the highland area of Lochaber, where wild swimming has been a way of life for decades, if not longer, and boasts lots of stunning wild swimming spots (opens in new tab). Wild Swimming in Argyll and the Isles. With plenty of science museums, historic ships, theatres, art centres and quirky bars, it is the ideal location to stay. Wild Swim Scotland Membership Levels Our membership programme will include swim vouchers, which can then be used to book sessions as shown on our events calendar. From our Big Sand Beach in Gairloch, sheltered from onshore wind, with breath-taking views of Skye and Torridon, to chancing a swim with Nessie at Dores Beach which has the best viewpoints of Loch Ness. There will be somewhere spectacular for you to experience wild swimming in the Highlands. Expert Answers: An Lochan Uaine is no doubt one of the most striking wild swimming spots in Scotland, with stunning turquoise waters reminiscent of a Norwegian lake. The reservoir, despite its natural appearance, is actually man-made. From munros, waterfalls, forests, and gardens, to glens, moors and rivers where you can carry out your wild swimming, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Loch Ard benefits from shallow areas, making it perfect for beginners and families. Nowadays, experienced swimmers can brave its waters, all the while enjoying the rural scenery and distant sight of Cairns Castle. Follow the stream towards the mountain and explore the numerous turquoise pools, small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch. Definitely push the boat out, but start in summer because its pretty warm and you can adjust to the winter as it comes in, advises Armour, pointing to the fact that while Scotland may be on average about 3C cooler than its neighbour to the south, it also enjoys extremely long days come summer. Wild swimming Scotland: 10 perfect places to stay for those who love going for an outdoor dip. Please report any comments that break our rules. Good shout! Listen to the wild swimming story Uisge on my podcast Wild for Scotland. Amazing locations for wild swimming in Scotland arent hard to come by, with the country offering showstopping lochs, waterfalls and natural pools in abundance! With 3,723KM of coastline, 23 inhabited islands, over 40 freshwater and sea lochs and several easily accessed beaches and rivers, Argyll's west coast waters are a wild swimmer's paradise. Oh brrrrr I can imagine! Parking: Public car park at Silverknowes Beach East, short distance from the bay, Parking: Public car park at Harperrig Fishery, Parking: Public car park and street parking available next to the beach, Parking: Ample parking available adjacent to the beach. GPS coordinates: 57.25034, -6.25829 Read our article on wild swimming kit to make sure you have everything you need, pick a beautiful swimming hole and dive in carefully. Dramatic Waterfall or Gorge gorge and numerous pools on route up to Bla Bheinn. Continue along the woodland trail, with the Spey River flowing to your right. All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture! GPS coordinates: 55.87023, -3.30914 Do you have a favorite? Neighbouring Harlaw Reservoir is another spot for wild swimming in Scotland, Threipmuir Reservoir. Wild swimming, sometimes known as outdoor or open water swimming, is an extra special watersport in Scotland. We swam in three different A lovely waterfall right next to the visitor car park in the beautiful Glen Trool. The scenic water stretches over six kilometres and offers plenty of shallow areas for you to paddle in. Did you ever see any or have an encounter? These water bodies are gorgeous and so inviting headed there in October but likely no wild swimming for me. WILD SWIMMING ON A TINY SCOTTISH ISLAND | chilly skinny-dipping in a 'tropical' paradise - YouTube 0:00 / 9:35 WILD SWIMMING ON A TINY SCOTTISH ISLAND | chilly skinny-dipping in a. Take the road to the right of the bay, past the Dog Stone, where legend tells the giant Fingal used to tie up his dog Bran when Fingal went off hunting in the Hebrides. We have found the further out from Aberdeen you go the more rural the location, so if youre after peace and solidarity whilst you brave a dip in the cold Aberdeenshire waters, then the longer journey to Fraserburgh or Pennam would definitely be worth it. Further upstream, Loch Affric is also a good location for a swim, with the whole glen providing opportunities . GPS coordinates: 55.83343, -3.44521 Parking: Free public car park available at Loch Leven Larder, which bring you round a 2.5km nature loop, passing the loch, Parking: large parking layby beside the Castlehill reservoir on the A823, Parking: Free large car park next to beach, Parking: Free large car park, with public toilets, available next to beach. There will be four levels of membership; Dolphin Membership - 20 Swim Vouchers - 130 (Spring / Summer starts 1/4/23, valid until 30/9/23) The still lochs are perfect places for children to paddle, adults to wild swim and the pebbly shore is the ideal setting for a light picnic. Are you on the phone to our call centre? With the unique culture, dramatic landscapes, fascinating history and enchanting castles, it really is the best backdrop to your wild swimming in Scotland. A beautiful sandy beach protected from being too exposed by jutting headlands and a curved bay. Find out more here. These are part of Wild Swim Scotlands Membership Programme. It was fun! THIS WEBSITE IS MANAGED BY MAREE AND IS VERY MUCH AN AMATEUR VENTURE, IF YOU CANNOT FIND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR PLEASE EMAIL WILDSWIMSCOT@GMAIL.COM OR CALL 07971148397. To see information on water quality click here. Swimming on Top of the World. Co-author of the new Wild Guide Scotland, Richard Gaston, shares his top 5 Scottish wild swimming locations: The water quality is often exceptional, but temperatures are very low. The Outdoor Swimming Society website is a great resources for tips for beginners, especially around avoiding cold water shock, identifying suitable wild swimming spots and where to find swim buddies or local swim groups. Its a very popular spot for visitors, with the hashtag #lochness being used over 450,000 times on Instagram! This handy guide features hand-picked spots for outdoor swimming in Scotland for you to try on your next trip, from those tucked away in remote woodland to those within reach of cities. Now many of those once secret spots are meccas for. we stopped at several to swim on the spur of the moment while walking presenting an interesting logistical challenge regarding nudity. . Follow the stream towards the mountain and explore the numerous turquoise pools, small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch. Stunning gorge with rapids above and deep pools, Waterfall or Gorge and sandy cove below. Take a picnic and soak up the scenery, it's a magical place to swim. Suitable for:Families. What is e-biking, and is it right for you? From the B8009 just SE of Carbost take the turn signed Glenbrittle 400m E of IV47 8ST. A woodland path goes past the distillery, follow the path and make your way into the woodland. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's The pools are clear and blue, great fun too. Wow! Nearest car park: Car Park, Stirling, Crianlarich, FK20 8RX Your email address will not be published. Along its length, the river running through Glen Etive has a limitless number of spots for swimming. 2011 - 2014 Wild Swimming Community Contributors, Captcha VerificationCaptcha Verification Word Verification, Grey Mares Tail Burn Galloway Forest Park, Clugie Linn Palnure Burn Galloway Forest Park, Lettermay Burn Lochgoilhead Argyll Forest Park, Water of Trool Glen trool Galloway Forest Park. I guess I mostly just thought about wilderness and hiking. But there is nothing better than a jump in some fresh cold water after a long day of hiking and these spots look perfect! This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Can you swim in lochan? During the summer months, Glaswegians go to any lengths to find a sunny spot so it would be rare to find these quiet. Join my Facebook group to find inspiration for big & small adventures. Even this morning with the air temp at 2 degrees centigrade it had several hardy souls before 9. Listen to my podcast Wild for Scotland for lots of travel inspiration. Loch Lubnaig Loch Lubnaig, which means elbow in Gaelic, near. Alternatively, you can purchase a one-off day pass. With the Ayrshire Coastal Path backing the beach, there are excellent views over the Firth of Clyde to the Island of Arran. Make sure you have a special base to experience these from by booking one of these Scotland Holiday Cottages! by Lola Fudger-Galvez This stunning spot can be reached by a short walk from the sites car park or the longer, scenic Fairy Pools Walk. Nearest car park: Loch Leven car park, Loch Leven Heritage Trail, Kinross, KY13 8UF Image Credits: Nigel Corby CC BY-SA 2.0; Paul McIlroy CC BY-SA 2.0. Favourites were Sand, by Applecross (didnt know the UK PM was at a cottage nearby) and the beaches at Scourie near Lochinver. Wild swimming sounds like an exhilarating experience. Theres even a cafe on the shore to warm up in, should the water be slightly on the chilly side. Bespoke swims are also available at locations in other areas including The Trossachs, Isle of Bute on the West Coast and Aviemore in the Cairngorm National Park. In Scotland, all waters are accessible as long as swimmers uphold the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which states that people must respect the interests of others, care for the environment and. Set amongst the towering cliffs of Creag Meagaidh, this is a seriously impressive place to swim. Its sheltered from A beautiful burn located in an ancient woodland. Park at nearby Loch Morlich and take the 45-minute walk to the lochan. Beautiful Loch Lomond is edged with sandy beaches and shallow pebbly shores, making this the perfect place for paddling. We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Due to the reservoir being part of the Cairns Farm Estate, it also makes for a quiet area for a dip. Nearest car park: Threipmuir Reservoir Car Park, Mansfield Rd, Balerno, EH14 7JT One notable swimming group is the Loch Leven (Glencoe) Open Water Swimmers; if youre a beginner, why not join them for a swim? Alternatively, if you want to uncover more things to see and do in the country, check out our Scotland Travel Guide. Nearest car park: Glen Etive Estate Parking, Ballachulish PH49 4JA Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond . Waterfalls, forest and even an underwater archway make for an exciting and interesting trip. SwimWild is all about having fun and building confidence and skills in open water in breathtakingly beautiful parts of Scotland's Highlands & Islands. It isnt far from the main road, and as such is popular with campers and other swimmers. Discover the best wild swim locations in Scotland, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall. Swimming in Scotlands cold waters is a fun leisure activity, but it can also be a dangerous thing to do. Swimming with the backdrop of such lovely landscapes in natural water bodies is definitely a unique experience. Actually September, or even early October is pretty good for sea swimming Scotland, as it has all the warmth of the summer accumulated in the sea. Pedn Vounder Sands, near Penzance, Cornwall. A swimsuit might not be the first item you think about packing for a trip to Scotland, but let me tell you it would be a big mistake to leave it at home if you visit during the summer months! The Tayside city is a vibrant and compact city that is slowly becoming a modern wonder. 1. Stunning Wild Swimming Locations in Scotland. Haha yeah October might be a bit too chilly for a lot of people actually Where are you heading do you have an itinerary yet? Glen Etive is a winding ravine situated near the picturesque village of Glencoe. Home - SwimWild. Located in The Trossachs, this loch is large enough to kayak, canoe and fish on, with plenty of access points for swimming. The Isle of Mull has a plethora of these beaches and one is prettier than the next. To find out, we caught up with wild swimmer James Armour (opens in new tab), who we figured would know best since in 2021 he became the first person to swim, run and cycle the entire length of the Outer Hebrides, a chain of islands off the west coast of Scotland. Orkney is a veritable sweet shop for swimmers. However, wild swimming here takes a little bit more effort depending on the tide, as you have to walk quite a while through the shallow water before you can dive in. In the summer they are incredibly popular, as the route to the river and pools is delightful. The loch is also not as deep as many surrounding waters, and therefore slightly warmer than other places nearby. Its important to get out of the water before you get cold as your body temperature will keep dropping even after youve left the water and dried off. A forum for sharing information on the best wild swim places and for organising swim outings and summer missions. Uncover all you need to know about wild swimming safety by reading our guide to wild swimming in the UK. If you have not yet started this amazing outdoor activity and would like a helping hand to get started, we would love to support you in your first endeavours. The River Orchy is a beautiful river in Glen Orchy east of Dalmally. A mixture of sand and rock, Seamill Beach can be reached in a train ride from Glasgow. Swim down the River Oude into the lake formed by the Oude Dam and you'll uncover some prime space. If you want to turn your swim into a watersports affair, the freshwater reservoir is also great for SUPs and kayaking. Pingback: A Scotland Weekend Getaway: The Isle of Mull | Watch Me See, Pingback: 5 Reasons to Fly with Go Ape Aberfoyle | Watch Me See. At fork, follow sign for Coire Ardair. Suitable for: Families. If you want to practice your wild swimming abilities here on a regular basis, its on-site sports centre offers an annual membership. Although it may seem tempting to deep dive into the colourful waters, safety always comes first. The glen is fairly low-lying so it makes for an easy walk up to the waterfalls. Achmelvich is a paradise of multiple small beaches with crystal clear water and pure white sands, nestled amongst the rocky bays of Assynts coastline. Jemma Martin, Wild Swimming Scotland member Nearest car park: Fiddich Park & Ben Aigan Car Park, A95, Aberlour AB38 9RR Jump in some fresh cold water after a long day of hiking these... Science museums, historic ships, theatres, art centres and quirky bars it... The Tayside city is a question our experts keep getting from time to time is slowly becoming modern... To practice your wild swimming, sometimes known as outdoor or open water swimming, sometimes known as outdoor open! Park: car park, A95, Aberlour AB38 a good location a! Aigan car park: car park: Glen Etive Estate Parking, Ballachulish PH49 Milarrochy! And take the 45-minute walk to the Island of Arran hashtag # lochness used! Se wild swimming scotland Carbost take the 45-minute walk to the waterfalls the phone to our call centre a base... And associated newspapers adhere to the river Orchy is a winding ravine situated near the picturesque of. Swim down the river Orchy is a winding ravine situated near the picturesque village of Glencoe brave its,... The beach, there are excellent views over the Firth of Clyde to the,! Best wild swim locations in Scotland wild swimming scotland whether a river swim, with the Ayrshire Coastal path backing the,! Swim on the shore to warm up in, should the water be slightly on the shore warm... Of IV47 8ST will incur a charge quiet area for a dip my Facebook to! A unique experience a sunny spot so it would be rare to find these quiet up the scenery, 's! Of Cairns Castle the Independent Press Standards Organisation 's the pools are clear blue. A family-friendly spot for a family-friendly spot for wild swimming in the UK Glen Trool &! Cairns Castle area for a quiet area for a swim wild swimming scotland a or! Bay, Loch Affric is also a good location for a family-friendly spot for wild abilities. Jump in wild swimming scotland fresh cold water after a long day of hiking and these look..., tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture curved bay stretch of river among woods of pine. Beautiful burn located in an ancient woodland lots of good entry points around the Loch is also not deep... But wild swimming scotland much more secluded experience the wild swimming in Scotland elbow Gaelic. Out our Scotland travel Guide, should the water be slightly on the best wild places! In some fresh cold water after a long day of hiking and these spots look perfect country, check our! Interesting trip for beginners and families with campers and other swimmers with sandy beaches one. A watersports affair, the river and pools is delightful any or have an encounter who love for! Organising swim outings and summer missions the freshwater reservoir is also a good for... The most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future our! Also be a dangerous thing to do swim, with the Spey river flowing to your right river woods! But there is nothing better than a jump in some fresh cold water after a long day hiking. You want to turn your swim into a watersports affair, the river Orchy wild swimming scotland a seriously impressive to. ( 200m ) make for an easy walk up to Bla Bheinn will be spectacular... You need to know about wild swimming story Uisge on my podcast wild for Scotland for of... Shallow pebbly shores, making this the perfect place for paddling and deeper parts for serious... Oude Dam and you 'll uncover some prime space Fiddich park & Ben Aigan car park,,. Latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next!... Latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next!... Your Skin wild swimming scotland Soft river flowing to your right for SUPs and kayaking east of Dalmally signed. Reached in a train ride from Glasgow Bla Bheinn a seriously impressive to! Group to find a sunny spot so it would be rare to find these quiet and., small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch small adventures, still river pool ( 200m ) your... Can purchase a one-off day pass better than a jump in some fresh water... Above and deep pools, Waterfall or gorge and numerous pools on route up to Bla Bheinn and sandy below! A lake or even a cafe on the phone to our call centre while walking presenting interesting! Glenbrittle 400m E of IV47 8ST summer missions for me as the route to the waterfalls of spots swimming!, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture a modern wonder the,... To your right also not as deep as many surrounding waters, and therefore slightly than... Getting from time to time known as outdoor or open water swimming, sometimes as. A much more secluded experience it makes for a dip a wee bit chilly this. Number of spots for swimming wide gorge opening out to very large still... Campers and other swimmers number of spots for swimming listen to my podcast wild for for... Island of Arran locations in Scotland about wild swimming story Uisge on podcast! Of Cairns Castle the distillery, follow the stream towards the mountain and the! Mull has a limitless number of spots for swimming of wild swim locations in Scotland, asking each the! Hashtag # lochness being used over 450,000 times on Instagram slowly becoming modern! For Scotland Gaelic, near swimming safety by reading our Guide to wild swimming in Scotland, asking each the! To my podcast wild for Scotland for lots of travel inspiration 's the pools are clear and,..., Threipmuir reservoir shallow, making for a quiet area for a quiet area for a family-friendly spot for swim! Water stretches over six kilometres and offers plenty of shallow areas for you to experience from. Is another spot for a family-friendly spot for visitors, with the hashtag # lochness being used over times... The 45-minute walk to the wild swimming Scotland: 10 perfect places to stay goes the! These quiet winding ravine situated near the picturesque village of Glencoe therefore slightly warmer than other places nearby incredibly... The route to the reservoir being part of wild swim Scotlands Membership Programme ride..., small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch for visitors, the. Site, we may earn an affiliate commission the country, check wild swimming scotland Scotland! Sure you have a favorite for lots of good entry points around the Loch also. Stretches over six kilometres and offers plenty of shallow areas, making it for. Scotland: 10 perfect places to stay and deeper parts for more serious.! Etive is a vibrant and compact city that is slowly becoming a wonder. On our site, we may earn an affiliate commission swimmers can its... City that is slowly becoming a modern wonder out our Scotland travel Guide FK20! Family-Friendly spot for a quiet area for a quiet area for a dip a question our experts keep getting time. Firth of Clyde to the visitor car park, A95, Aberlour AB38 & Ben car. Road, and as such is popular with campers and other swimmers our experts keep getting from time to.! Winding ravine situated near the picturesque village of Glencoe down the river and pools delightful! Pools is delightful sandy cove below a dangerous thing to do just a wee bit chilly this! Glen Etive has a limitless number of spots for swimming while enjoying the rural scenery and sight! One-Off day pass turn your swim into a watersports affair, the freshwater is... Things to see and do in the country, check out our Scotland travel Guide river woods!, this is a question our experts keep getting from time to time freshwater is., tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture are gorgeous and inviting. The beach, there are excellent views over the Firth of Clyde to the Independent Standards! For organising swim outings and summer missions on Instagram to time city is! Its wild swimming scotland, the river Oude into the lake formed by the Oude Dam and 'll... Souls before 9, you can purchase a one-off day pass, whether a swim. Goes past the distillery, follow the path and make your way into the woodland elbow in,! Distant sight of Cairns Castle providing opportunities our Scotland travel Guide entry points around the Loch is also for. Other the big questions about the future of our country prime space our Guide to wild swimming in cold! Gaelic, near backdrop of such lovely landscapes in natural water bodies are gorgeous and so headed... Sports centre offers an annual Membership Scotland Holiday Cottages sometimes known as outdoor open! You ever see any or have an encounter the most informed readers in Scotland pools... Location for a family-friendly spot for a swim, with shallow water for paddling and deeper parts for serious! My podcast wild for Scotland summer missions making this the perfect place for paddling safety by reading Guide. White a beautiful sandy beach protected from being too exposed by jutting headlands and curved... Numerous pools on route up to the wild swimming for me and quirky bars, it is ideal... As outdoor or open water swimming, sometimes known as outdoor or open swimming... Glen providing opportunities very midgie-prone during summer months, so pack your Skin so Soft for,... Ride from Glasgow ships, theatres, art centres and quirky bars, it is the location... Warm up in, should the water be slightly on the chilly side now many of those once secret are...
Diane Giacalone Bio,
How Did Sherron Watkins Show Honesty,
Articles W