So why not, treat yourself to a retreat at one of our luxurious hotels & inns, go wild swimming Scotland to boost your circulation, improve your immunity and release a rush of endorphins, with an out-of-this-world therapeutic experience. The River Orchy is a beautiful river in Glen Orchy east of Dalmally. The pools are clear and blue, great fun too. So, next time you plan a trip to or day out in Scotland, grab your bathing suit, make it to one of these spots and jump right in! Next to a large grassy embankment which is ideal for picnics or playing sports. The loch is also not as deep as many surrounding waters, and therefore slightly warmer than other places nearby. Take an island day trip, get involved in whale watching and explore the enchanting waterfalls on the Isle of Mull, whilst youre out seeking the perfect tranquilising wild swim. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. 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. Nearest car park: Loch Leven car park, Loch Leven Heritage Trail, Kinross, KY13 8UF GPS coordinates: 56.35007, -4.69296 I went to Mull in April and it was definitely not a time for swimming haha but if wed been lucky maybe I would have tried! contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Scotland has no shortage of gorgeous wild swimming spots to choose from. Julia graduated with a degree in journalism in 2004 and spent eight years working as a radio presenter in Kansas City, Vermont, Boston and New York City before discovering the joys of the Rocky Mountains. The craze of wild swimming, or as others call it simply swimming outside, has made a huge splash across . Ha ha I dont know what warmth you are talking about Im sure the water is warmer then than in the Spring! There might not be a Nessy here, but this loch in the heart of the Cairngorms mountains offers a fantastic wild swim. Whether its the Isle of Mull, Oban, or Loch Fyne in Inverary you ventured upon, there will also be a luxurious hotel to coorie up after your cold, rejuvenating dip. In the summer they are incredibly popular, as the route to the river and pools is delightful. After the success of last years Wild Swim, Galloway Activity Centre is delighted to host the annual Loch Ken Southwesterly facing beach of firm sand. The pool is pretty shallow, making for a family-friendly spot for a dip. The archipelago is pretty flat, so you can see water for miles when travelling around. It's the longest loch in Scotland at 25 miles. Listen to the wild swimming story Uisge on my podcast Wild for Scotland. This can have symptoms of varying severity from shivering to feeling unwell or even hypothermia. Elegant white A beautiful wide gorge opening out to very large, still river pool (200m). This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. Orkney is a veritable sweet shop for swimmers. READ MORE:Wild swimming in Scotland: The life-changing practice of cold water therapy. 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. Never heard about any problems with eels here I wouldnt worry about that at all! 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. Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin and Glen Affric. Here, she takes us through the best swimming spots in the wilds of Scotland. St Andrews sounds lovely though Ive not had the best of weather there so far maybe next time . Considering trying wild swimming in Scotland? Did you ever see any or have an encounter? Once youve arrived at the waterfall, look forward to diving into the depths of its pool and paddling about in this quiet, tucked-away spot. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). Pedn Vounder Sands, near Penzance, Cornwall. 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. I just got back from a 2 week road trip through Scotland and loved it. Bring a towel and a flask with a good warm drink for after your swim. There is nothing quite like dipping into a clear, steady loch, whilst surrounded by Scotland's most beautiful backdrops. It isnt far from the main road, and as such is popular with campers and other swimmers. 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. Is th. Basically, its any form of swimming in places without infrastructure like changing rooms or safety features Maybe thats a British thing! www.wildthingspublishing.com/product/wild-guide-scotland-book/, 2011 - 2014 Wild Swimming Community Contributors, Captcha VerificationCaptcha Verification Word Verification. You can reach the waterfall by venturing a short distance from the hamlet of Inversnaid. Park at nearby Loch Morlich and take the 45-minute walk to the lochan. 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. Edinburgh is famous for its gorgeous castles, vibrant festivals, romantic architecture and general buzzing atmosphere, but what most visitors dont know is its also a spectacular spot for wild swimming. 1. Magical place The first in the video is above the waterfall just before you get to Glenco. The vibrant colours and clearness of the waters may seem attractive, but the temperatures are often very low. I just ordered a wet-suits for future adventures , I hadnt thought about Scotland this way before, thanks for sharing some great notes! We managed to beat the hiking crowds and had the pool to ourselves for quite a while , Wow, those are some cool swimming spots! Since we lose a lot of body heat via our heads, I recommend wearing a woollen hat unless you want to submerge your head. James Armour is 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, Scotland is notorious for challenging weather it averages 100 days of snow per year and is no stranger to frigid winters and frequent gale force winds, Not only is summer more tolerable, it means that you can consider starting out with wild swimming without purchasing pricey gear like a wetsuit, Afterdrop is the name given to a phenomenon where youll actually be at your coldest about 10 minutes after you exit the water, You can drastically reduce the risks of wild swimming by ensuring there is someone with you who can assist you if you get into trouble, Scotland has an abundance of gorgeous wild swimming spots to choose from. 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. The fast-flowing cascade has weathered away the stone beneath, creating an enticing pool for swimming and diving. Suitable for:Families. Are you on the phone to our call centre? Wild swimming is that like wild camping? Read our article on wild swimming kit to make sure you have everything you need, pick a beautiful swimming hole and dive in carefully. kofiwidget2.init('Support Me on Ko-fi', '#af4d92', 'Y8Y0OQPK');kofiwidget2.draw(); Watch Me See is an Amazon Associate and an affiliate of Booking.com and others and thus I earn from qualifying purchases you make at no extra cost to you. Waulkmill Bay is one of the more sheltered areas that offer a sandy bottom and stunning swim spot. The biggest fear to worry about here is the fear of cold water . There are a number of small plunge pools on the Grey Mares Tail Burn. GPS coordinates: 57.01214, -2.49052 Here, it means gliding into a still loch in the shadows of Munros and castles, or slipping straight into the salty seas of the Atlantic Ocean or North Sea. Black sand beach with breathtaking views of the mountains. Suitable for: Families. Please adjust your search criteria and try again. With ease of access to nearby islands, and beaches, there are endless opportunities to explore Scotland in all its glory and wild swim in Scotland. Even this morning with the air temp at 2 degrees centigrade it had several hardy souls before 9. One thing to be aware of when swimming in Loch Leven is that it contains a large number of blue-green algae, so please steer clear of these! A dramatic glen with perfect river pools running very close to road. In summer it just comes alive. Nearest car park: Little Vantage car park, Unnamed Road, Kirknewton, EH27 8DJ With all that water, it makes sense that wild swimming in Scotland has caught on, except for the fact that the country is also notorious for challenging weather it averages 100 days of snow per year and no stranger to frigid winters and frequent gale force winds so we were curious to know if there are any special considerations to be taken when it comes to wild swimming in Scotland. Wild swimmers are asked not to go out alone and to stay close to shore, whenever possible. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please Oh, I need to add that to my list! Theres even a cafe on the shore to warm up in, should the water be slightly on the chilly side. Milarrochy Bay, Loch Lomond . Lively currents will give you a boost as you head downstream. Lucy and Marees Jellyfish Sale in aid of Kidney Kids come and enjoy a swim in the sea where the only jelly fish in sight will be our beautiful, individualistic, hand crafted ones hanging on the Groyn waiting for you to choose your favourite to take home with you. One notable swimming group is the Loch Leven (Glencoe) Open Water Swimmers; if youre a beginner, why not join them for a swim? Fossil hunters can often be seen here inspecting the shore at low tide, as fossilised remains of plants from the Carboniferous period, 335 million years ago can be found by those with a keen eye. Parking: Park at Pendreich Car Park, around a 2 mile nature walk to Cockburn Reservoir, Parking: Parking at North Third Reservoir car park, around an 8 minute walk from swimming spot, Parking: Main Car Park available at Denny FK6 5JL, around a 36 minute walk along the reservoir away, Parking: Public car park available, 4 minute walk from beach, Parking: The Cabin at Loch Lubnaig is in the North Car Park, with take-away food and drink, with toilets is open 8.30 am-5.00pm, Parking: Available at Loch Ard Forest Car Park, at the start of an 1.5-2 hour long forest walking route, that will pass the loch, Parking: Around a 35 minute walk from the loch there is the Monachyle Mhor Hotel, Balquhidder, FK19 8PQ, where you can park and get refreshments. In drier months, the current is lazy in this section of the River Forth and shallow enough for kids to paddle bring swimming shoes though, as the river bottom is rocky. In 2013, I fell madly in love with Scotland and made it my home. The popularity of wild swimming has exploded in recent years, with the mental health benefits being increasingly promoted by its advocates. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? I love these spots though! One of these is the gorgeous Harlaw Reservoir, where wild swims can be enjoyed amidst peaceful surroundings! You might also like: My guide to the Ross of Mull incl. The reservoir, despite its natural appearance, is actually man-made. With over 10,000 kilometres of coastline, and endless rivers and lochs, youll discover theres a lot to appreciate and explore north of the border. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. Good shout! Alternatively, you can purchase a one-off day pass. GPS coordinates:56.18556, -4.47453 Many places to swim from shore and potential to swim out Small lake by roadside in the pointyhilled Faerie Glen. I remember it like it was yesterday. It was a bit of a scramble to the shoreline, but a much more secluded experience. If you dont know, that entailed 20 miles of treacherous open water swimming in strong tides in addition to 52 miles on foot and 112 miles on the bike. Nearest car park: Parking layby Loch Ness, A82, Inverness IV63 6XR GPS coordinates: 55.87023, -3.30914 With powdery soft sand the beach is a treat underfoot. Paddleboarders can often be seen here. There will be somewhere spectacular for you to experience wild swimming in the Highlands. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im Kathi! Follow a nature path to the gorgeous Loch Leven after having a bite to eat at Loch Leven Larder, or take a longer route to Silver Sands or Black Sands in Burntisland to experience coastal wild swimming. 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. We'll also enter you into monthly Prize draw. It is popular when in spate Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken, Castle Douglas, DG7 4NQ. Next Warrior Water Women retreats coming soon Join us for a retreat in the beautiful Scottish highlands gbsct Glasgow is surrounded with a stunning array of clear, calming, freshwater lochs with breath-taking views, the ultimate backdrop for wild swimming. The annual Monster Swim event takes place here during the summer and is where expert swimmers can partake in a five-kilometre swimming race. Suitable for: Families. If youre brave enough, you will be rewarded with a relaxing bath in one of the many pools formed by the river flowing through the valley!