To view all the sessions and social opportunities available to the Membership between March and July, follow the link below. Find out more here. If you dont mind the crowds and on lookers it is a great place to take a dip. Its good fun and basically only way to do it outdoors in Scotland! 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. Would love to go wild swimming but think I might have missed my window now. Follow the stream towards the mountain and explore the numerous turquoise pools, small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch. 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. The water is icy cool, so pull on a wetsuit and swim out to the kelp forests which sway just beneath the surface. Good shout! Save Higher Glen Etive 1 review Pinpoint Add to Favorites Glencoe 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. The Tayside city is a vibrant and compact city that is slowly becoming a modern wonder. where to wild swim. Suitable for:Adults. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. The water is cold, but exactly what you need after the walk. This stunning cascade rests moments away from Loch Lomond and is the perfect spot for diving. GPS coordinates:56.18556, -4.47453 Why Sign up to receive discounts, exclusive offers, travel tips and guides. 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. Finishing off this section of locations for wild swimming in Scotland is Harperrig Reservoir. As long as the conditions are right, anywhere is a fantastic place for wild swimming in Scotland. These are part of Wild Swim Scotlands Membership Programme. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im Kathi! Keep an eye out! Alternatively, if you want to uncover more things to see and do in the country, check out our Scotland Travel Guide. Take a picnic and soak up the scenery, it's a magical place to swim. With the Ayrshire Coastal Path backing the beach, there are excellent views over the Firth of Clyde to the Island of Arran. There even is a swimming festival here every September, so its worth keeping an eye out for upcoming dates here! A couple of benches rest nearby, too, so you can enjoy a post-swim sit-down amongst the woodland surroundings. Near Goat Fell, the highest mountain on Arran, on a good day the views are wonderful. 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! The loch is equally as popular as it is iconic, attracting wild swimming groups from all over the country. Nearest car park: Inversnaid Upper Car Park, Stirling Fk8 3TU Loch Lubnaig Loch Lubnaig, which means elbow in Gaelic, near. The surrounding views are just as extraordinary, with the peaks of Bruach na Frthe and Sgrr nan Gillean creating a stunning backdrop. From the B8009 just SE of Carbost take the turn signed Glenbrittle 400m E of IV47 8ST. Ha ha I dont know what warmth you are talking about Im sure the water is warmer then than in the Spring! Reached along a sign-posted path, five minutes walk from road. South facing beach reached by dirt track from Straad. Wild Guide ScotlandHidden Places, Great Adventures & the Good Life Paperback by Kimberley Grant, Richard Gaston, David Cooper charts 750 of Scotland finest wild places and is published 1st May by Wild Things Publishing (16.99). It was a bit of a scramble to the shoreline, but a much more secluded experience. 5 mins, 57.2832, -4.9280. The beaches were magnificent over there I have only been to swim in St Andrews and it was really lovely! But they are also incredibly serene and who doesnt need a breath of fresh air water from time to time? It isnt far from the main road, and as such is popular with campers and other swimmers. 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. 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. Swimming in Scotlands cold waters is a fun leisure activity, but it can also be a dangerous thing to do. Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches in Fidden & Loch Buie on the Ross of Mull peninsula. Daily water quality forecasts with regular water monitoring Beautiful south facing bay with incredible views to Arran. Along its length, the river running through Glen Etive has a limitless number of spots for swimming. Its a purpose-built loch with a relatively shallow depth of 1.5 metres, making it ideal for families. Make sure you have a special base to experience these from by booking one of these Scotland Holiday Cottages! St Andrews sounds lovely though Ive not had the best of weather there so far maybe next time . Though wild swimming requires no memberships, clubs and swimming groups around the UK also saw a surge in interest during the pandemic. Looking west onto the Island of Barra, this beach offers the signature Caribbean-blue waters of Scotlands north-west coast. Next Warrior Water Women retreats coming soon Join us for a retreat in the beautiful Scottish highlands gbsct There are a number of small plunge pools on the Grey Mares Tail Burn. . Be warned, though, that the pure mountain water filling the pools can be somewhat cold. Hi, I'm Lola and I joined the marketing team in 2021. (Unless you spot some rubbish in that case, take it home with you.). . 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. The beach is popular among local swimmers and booking a session here with a coach is a great introduction to wild swimming in Scotland. Wild Swimming in Scotland. 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. I swam Sunday evening at 5ish just at sunset and enjoyed the quiet dark and the stars coming out. It is a narrow strait between the islands of Jura and Scarba, in Argyll and Bute, off the west coast of mainland Scotland, and contains the third largest natural occurring whirlpool in the world. We swam in three different A lovely waterfall right next to the visitor car park in the beautiful Glen Trool. We arrived at our hostel in the middle of the afternoon, when the sun was still standing high, burning down. Glen Etive is a winding ravine situated near the picturesque village of Glencoe. Im a writer, blogger and podcaster based in Glasgow. Beat the summer time beach crowds and head north with this guide to making the most of Scotlands underrated waterways. 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. 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. is an expert in exploring British waterways for sport. I just got back from a 2 week road trip through Scotland and loved it. Nearest car park: Conic Hill Car Park, Balmaha, Glasgow, G63 0JQ Nearest car park: Parking layby Loch Ness, A82, Inverness IV63 6XR It's the longest loch in Scotland at 25 miles. Theres nothingmore refreshing on a hot summers day than jumping into a lake, river or even the sea and Scotland is no exception. 20 mins, 56.2939, -5.6595. 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! This is a great collection of places to visit for a refreshing swim! Just not on New Years Day , Your email address will not be published. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The loch is also ideal for anyone interested in long-distance swimming as it is approximately five kilometres long. A forum for sharing information on the best wild swim places and for organising swim outings and summer missions. All within a 30 minute journey by car or bike, you could glide along the colourful waters of the east coast. Its a very popular spot for visitors, with the hashtag #lochness being used over 450,000 times on Instagram! Suitable for: Families. Lovely views of the Campsie Hills with Mugdock Visitor Centre providing a station for a tea or coffee after a swim. The force and currents can be strong after heavy rainfall or snowmelt, but otherwise, its a great spot for a picnic. This area is protected, so no wild camping is allowed, though there is a campsite located on the east side which can be booked in advance. Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Wild swimming, or open water swimming, in Scotland has become a popular watersport in recent years amongst the Scottish population. There will be somewhere spectacular for you to experience wild swimming in the Highlands. READ MORE:Storm Corrie: Top 10 Scots words to describe stormy weather. Once youre out of the water, dry off, change into dry clothes, move around and have a hot drink. contact the editor here. 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. From the A837 just N of Lochinver take the B869 NW, then turn L after passing sign for Achmelvich, past IV27 4JB to park at the road end next to the beach. With Scotland's right to roam access, you legally have your pick of swimming spots, as long as you do so responsibly. BBC Scotland - Jules' and Greg's Wild Swim Home Watch now Julie Wilson Nimmo and Greg Hemphill go wild swimming. 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. If youre wanting a slightly more secluded spot then venture out to the coastal beaches in North Berwick or Blackness Bay in Falkirk. Black sand beach with breathtaking views of the mountains. With over 10,000 kilometres of coastline, and endless rivers and lochs, you'll discover there's a lot to appreciate and explore north of the border. This spot is backed by the Loch Ard Forest and feels very secluded, though it is often a lively spot during the summer months. Suitable for:Families. Readers can receive a 20% discount and free P&P with code calmac at Wild Things Publishing. When sites do not meet the desired standard, investigative work is undertaken to eliminate or lessen pollution sources. 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. Pretty much its swimming in wild waters, without any infrastructure for swimmers (just like wild camping). 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. If you want to uncover more things to see and do in the Spring perfect, if you mind. Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches were magnificent over there I only... It is a great introduction to wild swimming requires no memberships, and! 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