Once on the island there is a series of quarry pools. Suitable for:Families. Off the A816 S of Oban, follow B844 to Seil and Easdale (PA34 4TB). 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. 2 hours, 56.9593, -4.5677. Glen Etive is a winding ravine situated near the picturesque village of Glencoe. 20 mins, 57.2496, -6.2547. One of Scotlands most enchanting wild swimming spots, the crystal-clear pools lie at the foot of the dramatic Black Cuillin mountain range. 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. Pretty much its swimming in wild waters, without any infrastructure for swimmers (just like wild camping). 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. The second-longest loch in Scotland is perfect for well-versed swimmers due to its long and deep waters. Lively currents will give you a boost as you head downstream. However, swimming in both Threipmuir Reservoir and Harlaw Reservoir should be avoided during angling season. You might also like: 18 Fun Outdoor Activities to try in Scotland, There are beaches in Scotland, where the ocean looks more like the Caribbean than the North Atlantic. For people who love outdoor swimming and wild swimming in Scotland. 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. Its a wonderful place for a swim, however, due to its depth of 98 feet, it should only be tackled by experienced wild swimmers. If youre overwhelmed by all the options, check out my ready-made Scotland itineraries or book an enquiry call for my 1:1 itinerary planning services so we can work on your route together. Our membership programme will include swim vouchers, which can then be used to book sessions as shown on our events calendar. What makes Glen Etive extra special is the loch it feeds into, where a group of adorable seals and otters await! 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. 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! We tried wild swimming at Plodda Falls. With the Pentland Hills Regional Park offering a gorgeous backdrop, you can look forward to swimming amidst spectacular sights. www.wildthingspublishing.com/product/wild-guide-scotland-book/, 2011 - 2014 Wild Swimming Community Contributors, Captcha VerificationCaptcha Verification Word Verification. 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! 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. I totally dont think of swimming when I think of Scotland. A true Scottish hidden gem, Inversnaid Waterfall is a magical place for a spot of wild swimming in Scotland! To see information on water quality click here. We swam in three different A lovely waterfall right next to the visitor car park in the beautiful Glen Trool. One City Place, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3BQ, United Kingdom. Continue along the woodland trail, with the Spey River flowing to your right. GPS coordinates: 57.25034, -6.25829 Show more 10 months left to watch 28 minutes Last on Wed 4 Jan 2023 23:30. Higher Glen Etive, Glencoe I went for a swim here with open water swim coach Dan the Merman who offers group and private tuition for beginners and experienced swimmers. Browse 339 wild swimming scotland stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Suitable for:Families. It came to be in 1860 and had the original use of supplying water to local mills. Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches in Fidden & Loch Buie on the Ross of Mull peninsula. 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. Another astounding spot for wild swimming in Scotland is Loch Ard, located within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. 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). Home - SwimWild. And if you think thats a mouthful, just wait for how cold the water is! Loch Ness is another spot for outdoor swimming in Scotland that you have to try. contact the editor here. Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who arent really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse. Since we lose a lot of body heat via our heads, I recommend wearing a woollen hat unless you want to submerge your head. Are you inspired by these spots for open water swimming in Scotland? Nearest car park: Harlaw Car Park, Balerno, EH14 7AS You might also like: A practical guide for snorkelling in Scotland. Every year, people drown in Scotland because of cold water shock. Here, she takes us through the best swimming spots in the wilds of Scotland. Contact Maree at wildswimscot@gmail.com to request a Membership pack. 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. Lovely views of the Campsie Hills with Mugdock Visitor Centre providing a station for a tea or coffee after a swim. Elegant white A beautiful wide gorge opening out to very large, still river pool (200m). Located in The Trossachs, this loch is large enough to kayak, canoe and fish on, with plenty of access points for swimming. Nearest car park: Loch Leven car park, Loch Leven Heritage Trail, Kinross, KY13 8UF You can park at the same place Loch Goil is just west of Loch Lomond just over an hour from Glasgow. GPS coordinates: 57.46117, -3.22614 Suitable for:Adults. Fed from icy snowmelt and water flowing off the plateau above, it is a bracing dip, but one that is second to none in its alpine splendour. The barrier to the car park is coin-operated. Crowds depend on the time of year you visit, but if you visit in autumn and winter, you can enjoy having the place to yourself, and the zing of the cool water. These water bodies are gorgeous and so inviting headed there in October but likely no wild swimming for me. We guide swimmers through this amazing landscape and explore it from a new and very different perspective via short wild swims and weekend breaks, to full adventure . Some nice spots!! I swam Sunday evening at 5ish just at sunset and enjoyed the quiet dark and the stars coming out. Save time and get one of my bulletproof Scotland itineraries. If youre out adventuring for the day we have also provided a full list of the best walking and hiking spots in Aberdeenshire. Suitable for:Families. Rab Andes Infinium 800 Sleeping Bag review: keeping you cozy and dry in even the most extreme conditions, Wild boar attacks snowboarders and trashes their gear, Colorado rescuers follow tracks to find backcountry skiers killed in avalanche, Yosemite National Park closed for the rest of the month due to winter storm. Im aware that I am myself one of these visitors! With plenty of science museums, historic ships, theatres, art centres and quirky bars, it is the ideal location to stay. After snapping a picture or two of the tree, you can look forward to wading into the shallow waters of the bay and enjoying a refreshing dip. Its shallow parts provide a great place for beginners to paddle the day away. As long as the conditions are right, anywhere is a fantastic place for wild swimming in Scotland. There are two main areas to wild swim in Edinburgh. You can reach these gorgeous cascades and their pools by walking from the village towards Aberlour Distillery. Another astounding spot for wild swimming in Scotland is Loch Ard, located within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. I had spent New Years Eve in a small bothy in the middle of Glen Etive, surrounded by good friends and lots of stars and maybe a drink or two. 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. The beach is backed by low, grassy dunes which are ideal to picknick on. Lovers of wide-open spaces will enjoy this beach, which is located near the gorgeous seaside town of Crail. I just ordered a wet-suits for future adventures , I hadnt thought about Scotland this way before, thanks for sharing some great notes! With 188 mountains in Wales, the country is a hiking haven! Ganavan Sands is a sandy beach just outside of Oban. With powdery soft sand the beach is a treat underfoot. Wild Swimming - Scotland 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! Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Suitable for: Families. You might also like: The Benefits of Water Wellness & 7 Water Activities to Try. Nearest car park: Conic Hill Car Park, Balmaha, Glasgow, G63 0JQ It is popular when in spate Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken, Castle Douglas, DG7 4NQ. 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? Never heard about any problems with eels here I wouldnt worry about that at all! Dramatic Waterfall or Gorge gorge and numerous pools on route up to Bla Bheinn. Loch Lubnaig Loch Lubnaig, which means elbow in Gaelic, near. 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. Its a very popular spot for visitors, with the hashtag #lochness being used over 450,000 times on Instagram! There are plenty of entry and exit points around the Loch. Please see the full list of useful health and safety websites and information at the bottom of this page. When plunging into these waters, youll feel like youre in a fairytale, with an array of mountains and natural jacuzzis peppering the landscape. There are also variables such as currents and tides which can pull you under and away from shore. Nearest car park: Castlehill Reservoir Parking, A823, Dollar, FK14 7LA If you are new to Cold Water Swimming / Dipping, you will be required to take a number of 1:1 sessions to ensure you are safe to join in our group sessions. Swimming in Scotlands cold waters is a fun leisure activity, but it can also be a dangerous thing to do. Alternatively, you can purchase a one-off day pass. There will also be a weekly Mindful morning swim on a Thursday morning at 0745 at Groyn 5, Portobello Beach, this is proving to be a popular option and booking is required. The Outdoor Swimming Society 's membership grew by. Read our article on wild swimming kit to make sure you have everything you need, pick a beautiful swimming hole and dive in carefully. Wild swimming sounds like an exhilarating experience. 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. Here you can pick up last-minute swimming gear before venturing southward to the glimmering loch for a scenic swim! The cascade will come into view and youll be in awe; it has to be amidst the most beautiful of the UK waterfalls. 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.. 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. 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. Practical guide for snorkelling in Scotland is Loch Ard, located within Loch Lomond the... 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