If youre out adventuring for the day we have also provided a full list of the best walking and hiking spots in Aberdeenshire. is an expert in exploring British waterways for sport. Nearest car park: Loch Leven car park, Loch Leven Heritage Trail, Kinross, KY13 8UF Loch (/lx/) is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. Good pub nearby in the grandeur of A long river canyon with high cliffs and deep water. Suitable for: Families. 5 mins, 57.2832, -4.9280. The loch offers several swimming loops between 400-800 metres. Considering trying wild swimming in Scotland? 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. We arrived at our hostel in the middle of the afternoon, when the sun was still standing high, burning down. Please see the full list of useful health and safety websites and information at the bottom of this page. New Cottages - Just Added To The Website! GPS coordinates: 56.09933, -4.56248 . Lets get that debate started! Daniel Start, author of Wild Swimming, shares his tips for taking the plunge . All photos, downloadable files and texts are the property of Kathi Kamleitner / Watch Me See unless otherwise cited, and may not be used or reproduced elsewhere without permission. This willl take you alongside River Etive until you eventually from Fort Augustus, take A82 that goes west of loch ness. One of Scotland's most enchanting wild swimming spots, the crystal-clear pools lie at the foot of the dramatic Black Cuillin mountain range. The loch is also not as deep as many surrounding waters, and therefore slightly warmer than other places nearby. A beautiful sandy beach protected from being too exposed by jutting headlands and a curved bay. Take my FREE Scotland Itinerary Quiz to narrow down where to go. Please refresh the page and try again. Parking: Private car park accessible through small car parking fee. Suitable for:Adults. From conservation village Ellenabeich, where free car park is signed at N end, cross to island by ferry and walk NW to quarries, 400m. Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Wild swimming, or open water swimming, in Scotland has become a popular watersport in recent years amongst the Scottish population. Our membership programme will include swim vouchers, which can then be used to book sessions as shown on our events calendar. There are also islands within the loch including Innis Chonnell and Innishail. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, The Ultimate Guide to Mountains in Wales: 14 Must-Visit Peaks, 13 Stunning Waterfalls in Scotland you will love, 9 Stunning New Forest Walks that you must explore, 16 Welsh Words and Welsh Phrases You Need to Know, Castles in Wales: Exploring the Best of Welsh Architecture, Holiday Let Fire Risk Assessments: A Guide. *Calls to this number will incur a charge. Its a very popular spot for visitors, with the hashtag #lochness being used over 450,000 times on Instagram! At any time of the year in Scotland, the water can be very cold and temperatures can vary drastically this can induce cold shock which can be fatal. Listen to my podcast Wild for Scotland for lots of travel inspiration. GPS coordinates: 56.35007, -4.69296 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. A well-frequented lochan located a five-minute stroll from Mugdock Park, Drumbrock Loch, or Abies is the perfect place to wild swim during both winter and summer. Dramatic Waterfall or Gorge gorge and numerous pools on route up to Bla Bheinn. If youre new to wild swimming in Scotland, Knockburn Loch is the place to visit! Scotland Embued with legend and fairy tales, the famous 'Allt Coir a Mhadaidh' pools and waterfalls are tinged with jade hues due to the volcanic gabbro rocks and the mystical peaks of the Black Cuillin mountains tower . by Lola Fudger-Galvez That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with. Uncover all you need to know about wild swimming safety by reading our guide to wild swimming in the UK. To see safety information on wild swimming in reservoirs and wild swimming in rivers, click here. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). In the New Forest National Park, 566 km2 of picturesque woodlands, quaint villages, and a 40-mile coastline await. The Linn Falls are situated a stones throw away from Aberlour and are a great place for open water swimming in Scotland. Regular sessions will be held; most Monday mornings at 0745 at Groyn 5, Portobello Beach and every Monday evening at 1900, in the dusk with tow floats and lights at Wardie Bay. Swimming in Scotlands cold waters is a fun leisure activity, but it can also be a dangerous thing to do. 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). I totally dont think of swimming when I think of Scotland. 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. She then detoured west to Colorado and enjoyed 11 years teaching yoga in Vail before returning to her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in 2020 to focus on family and writing. Its a wonderful place for a swim, however, due to its depth of 98 feet, it should only be tackled by experienced wild swimmers. What is e-biking, and is it right for you? Stunning gorge with rapids above and deep pools, Waterfall or Gorge and sandy cove below. 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. Located in The Trossachs, this loch is large enough to kayak, canoe and fish on, with plenty of access points for swimming. GPS coordinates: 56.24785, -4.68796 An enchanting sight, the waterfall cascades into Loch Lomond. Enter with caution around the slippery slate. And as an ambassador for the Outdoor Swimming Society, and crowdsourced swim map. Loch Ness is another spot for outdoor swimming in Scotland that you have to try. Steep wooded rocky loch sides lead down to Rob A large calm pool beneath Waterfall or Gorge on River Pattack in Strathmashie community forest next to car park. A perfect, if small, plunge pool in open countryside with a fun rock slide. Here are some of my favourite outdoor swimming spots across Scotland. Nearest car park: Fiddich Park & Ben Aigan Car Park, A95, Aberlour AB38 9RR Take your pick of incredible wild swimming spots on Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest freshwater loch. I swam from Urquhart Castle, just outside the grounds. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Near Goat Fell, the highest mountain on Arran, on a good day the views are wonderful. The waters of Scotland be in the North Atlantic sea or the rivers and lakes fed by mountain springs, rain water and snow melt can be freezing cold. For a short dip, I like to wear a swim suit with neoprene gloves and socks to keep my feet and hands warm. where to wild swim. Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches in Fidden & Loch Buie on the Ross of Mull peninsula. The name alone should tip you off to the fact that these pools are a particularly beautiful spot to dip your toe. Oh, I need to add that to my list! A gentle, but beautiful walk leads to the stunning An Lochan Uaine, known as the Green Loch. T&Cs apply. A true Scottish hidden gem, Inversnaid Waterfall is a magical place for a spot of wild swimming in Scotland! Make sure you have a special base to experience these from by booking one of these Scotland Holiday Cottages! While swimming here, you can look forward to paddling in the glistening waters while enjoying the sights of the dramatic dam and surrounding farmland. 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. Editors' Code of Practice. The Benefits of Water Wellness & 7 Water Activities to Try, 18 Fun Outdoor Activities to try in Scotland, A practical guide for snorkelling in Scotland, A Scotland Weekend Getaway: The Isle of Mull | Watch Me See, 5 Reasons to Fly with Go Ape Aberfoyle | Watch Me See. Lovely views of the Campsie Hills with Mugdock Visitor Centre providing a station for a tea or coffee after a swim. Now many of those once secret spots are meccas for. Find local news and events in your area, water campaigns that might interest you or join a group or a meeting of like-minded people. This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. Isle of Skye's SECRET FAIRY POOLS - Wild Swimming Scotland (Vanlife UK) Gemma and Campbell | highlands2hammocks 25.8K subscribers 86K views 9 months ago SKYE Get Surfshark VPN at. Whilst Loch Lomond can count as a spot for wild swimming in Scotland on its own, its so large that its best to explore it in parts! / Please adjust your search criteria and try again. BBC Scotland - Jules' and Greg's Wild Swim Home Watch now Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill go wild swimming. Perhaps nowhere was this more visible than in Scotland, which houses 90% of the UKs freshwater in its rivers and lochs in addition to a hefty 7,330 miles of coastline. 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. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. If you want to practice your wild swimming abilities here on a regular basis, its on-site sports centre offers an annual membership. 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. A Gannett Company. The beach is popular among local swimmers and booking a session here with a coach is a great introduction to wild swimming in Scotland. There might not be a Nessy here, but this loch in the heart of the Cairngorms mountains offers a fantastic wild swim. 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. Bracklinn Falls, Callandar in Perthshire This stretch of water is crystal clear and full of waterfalls and large rock pools that are perfect to spend a day dipping in and out of. There are plenty of great spots on the foreshore to camp and swim from, including a romantic sandy beach dotted with ancient tree stumps, which make great seats for sitting on around your campfire. 1 2 3. Wild Swimming in Scotland. Trying to swim in the sea? Gaelic. Join my Facebook group to find inspiration for big & small adventures. READ MORE: Wild swimming Scotland - The top 10 best places to go Sites which have consistently been of excellent water quality are only sampled five times. 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. If you do decide to keep diving in once winter arrives, make sure to read our article on how to choose a wetsuit. Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches in Fidden & Loch Buie on the Ross of Mull peninsula. Beat the summer time beach crowds and head north with this guide to making the most of Scotlands underrated waterways. Another popular swimming loch in the Trossachs is Loch Lubnaig. One of these is the gorgeous Harlaw Reservoir, where wild swims can be enjoyed amidst peaceful surroundings! The Outdoor Swimming Society 's membership grew by. Good plunge pools above falls. It was a bit of a scramble to the shoreline, but a much more secluded experience. This stunning spot can be reached by a short walk from the sites car park or the longer, scenic Fairy Pools Walk. This is the Scottish Highlands at its best, with mountains on all sides, Caledonian pinewoods, islands in the middle of the loch and the chance to see some of Scotland's rarest wildlife. I was lucky enough to see a grey Park at the Sligachan Hotel. 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. Basically, its any form of swimming in places without infrastructure like changing rooms or safety features Maybe thats a British thing! We were the first ones to arrive, soon most hikers who had arrived here today, spread out across the rocky shore of the river and jumped into the icy cold water. The popularity of wild swimming has exploded in recent years, with the mental health benefits being increasingly promoted by its advocates. Make trip planning easier with my Scotland Resource Library. It is recommended to walk in slowly to reduce any chance of shock, wear brightly coloured swimming costumes, caps, or tow floats so you are easily visible to passing boaters, and to never swim under the influence of alcohol. Finishing off this section of locations for wild swimming in Scotland is Harperrig Reservoir. One notable swimming group is the Loch Leven (Glencoe) Open Water Swimmers; if youre a beginner, why not join them for a swim? Read the full list of swimming safety tips here. Did you ever see any or have an encounter? Suitable for:Families. 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. 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. Reference information for this article and special thank you. Can be very midgie-prone during summer months, so pack your Skin So Soft! The Tayside city is a vibrant and compact city that is slowly becoming a modern wonder. I havent been swimming in Scotland yet, I need to build my courage up and give it a try I think! The loch is equally as popular as it is iconic, attracting wild swimming groups from all over the country. But Bryher, just 2.5 miles-long and half-a-mile wide, has the best swimming. With options to explore the spectacular things to do in Cairngorms, including seeking the Balmoral Pyramids, or strolling along the gorgeous walks and beaches on the North-East coast, it truly is a magical part of Scotland. A very short walk to this popular waterfall and picnic spot, where the River Falloch falls in a single 10m leap. The pool is pretty shallow, making for a family-friendly spot for a dip. A medium-sized beach, with soft sand and clear water. 7 Beautiful Places for Wild Swimming in Scotland. Keep an eye out! View Privacy Policy. (Not ideal for children unless supervised.) All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture! Stunning Wild Swimming Locations in Scotland. If the water is still too cold for you, there are also many hiking trails to viewpoints around the loch! The next day, a bunch of us set out to ring in the new year in true Scottish fashion: jumping into a freezing cold lake and we drove toGualachulain to jump into Loch Etive. Looks absolutely beautiful, and Id love to visit, but I wont be jumping in those cold waters! This swim is very close to the Grey Mares Tail Burn swims. Glasgow is surrounded with a stunning array of clear, calming, freshwater lochs with breath-taking views, the ultimate backdrop for wild swimming. The Scottish Highlands is one of the most picturesque locations in the world, and is usually what people imagine when they think of Scotland. Jump in or take a dook in the pool. Readers can receive a 20% discount and free P&P with code calmac at Wild Things Publishing. It's the longest loch in Scotland at 25 miles. There was a problem. During the summer months, Glaswegians go to any lengths to find a sunny spot so it would be rare to find these quiet. 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