Popular for wild camping. Good pub nearby in the grandeur of A long river canyon with high cliffs and deep water. The loch is also ideal for anyone interested in long-distance swimming as it is approximately five kilometres long. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Heres how it works. A dramatic glen with perfect river pools running very close to road. READ MORE:Wild swimming in Scotland: The life-changing practice of cold water therapy. Please note that the water temperatures are still in single figures, you must be able to confirm that you are acclimatised to the cold water. Lots of good entry points around the loch, with shallow water for paddling and deeper parts for more serious swimmers. 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. Backed by the cliffs of Treryn Dinas, this sandy beach has clear waters and fantastic rock formations . Download my FREE Trip Planning Checklist. So, take the plunge! Required fields are marked *. GPS coordinates: 57.01214, -2.49052 Swim down the River Oude into the lake formed by the Oude Dam and you'll uncover some prime space. Daily water quality forecasts with regular water monitoring Beautiful south facing bay with incredible views to Arran. 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. 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. Dramatic Waterfall or Gorge gorge and numerous pools on route up to Bla Bheinn. Explore Crerar Hotels & Inns for a luxurious escape, whilst exploring the best wild swimming Scotland has to offer. Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin and Glen Affric. Britains longest lake and home to the Loch Ness Monster. Please report any comments that break our rules. 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! I swam from Urquhart Castle, just outside the grounds. Keep an eye out! For strong swimmers, there is a large rock used for jumping off on the west side. 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. These water bodies are gorgeous and so inviting headed there in October but likely no wild swimming for me. Save Higher Glen Etive 1 review Pinpoint Add to Favorites Glencoe Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches in Fidden & Loch Buie on the Ross of Mull peninsula. Which is your favourite wild swimming spot in Scotland? The scenic water stretches over six kilometres and offers plenty of shallow areas for you to paddle in. Suitable for:Families. Our membership programme will include swim vouchers, which can then be used to book sessions as shown on our events calendar. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im Kathi! 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. 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. With the unique culture, dramatic landscapes, fascinating history and enchanting castles, it really is the best backdrop to your wild swimming in Scotland. . 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. With plenty of science museums, historic ships, theatres, art centres and quirky bars, it is the ideal location to stay. Good plunge pools above falls. Parking: Easy access ample roadside parking nearby, Parking: Free large car park next to loch, Parking: There are 4 or 5 parking spaces available at Carsaig Arches, Parking: Free large car park next to loch, Parking: Car park at Loch Fyne Oyster bar, here there will be a track to a beautiful loch side loch that will take you to the glen. As for Higher Glen Etive A series of three falls and three pools set in quick succession by roadside. Scotland has an abundance of gorgeous wild swimming spots to choose from (Image credit: scott masterton) Scotland has no shortage of gorgeous wild swimming spots to choose from. This willl take you alongside River Etive until you eventually from Fort Augustus, take A82 that goes west of loch ness. In the summer they are incredibly popular, as the route to the river and pools is delightful. 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. Here, she takes us through the best swimming spots in the wilds of Scotland. Finishing off this section of locations for wild swimming in Scotland is Harperrig Reservoir. Outdoor Activities. inaccuracy or intrusion, then please The large space means there are many opportunities to master open water swimming before trying the harder wild swimming spots in Scotland. Higher Glen Etive, Glencoe GPS coordinates: 56.24785, -4.68796 . The River Orchy is a beautiful river in Glen Orchy east of Dalmally. Can be very midgie-prone during summer months, so pack your Skin So Soft! Its shallow parts provide a great place for beginners to paddle the day away. Gaelic. Another great Scottish swimming area for families, Threipmuir Reservoir isnt too deep and is also unusually warm due to having large amounts of peat. Wild swimming is that like wild camping? Wild Swimming - Scotland 2 hours, 56.9593, -4.5677. 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. Surrounded by the Ochil Hills in Perthshire is this amazing Scotland wild swimming spot of Castlehill Reservoir. . Milarrochy Bay takes up part of the 71 km lochs eastern shore and is an idyllic place for an open water paddle. We'll also enter you into monthly Prize draw. Nearest car park: Little Vantage car park, Unnamed Road, Kirknewton, EH27 8DJ Please refresh the page and try again. Thats just a wee bit chilly for this Florida native! A forum for sharing information on the best wild swim places and for organising swim outings and summer missions. Nearest car park: Harlaw Car Park, Balerno, EH14 7AS Sorry, no records were found. Swimming with the backdrop of such lovely landscapes in natural water bodies is definitely a unique experience. Then you come out of the water, you feel amazing, you feel alive, you dry yourself off so your skin starts to feel warm and tells your core that youre warming up so the core starts releasing the blood to extremities, explains Armour. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and . These are beautiful spots! 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. 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. Here are some of my favourite outdoor swimming spots across Scotland. This swim is very close to the Grey Mares Tail Burn swims. The L-shaped pool is the usual swimming one. Interesting rock formations. Nature is for everybody to enjoy, so make sure you leave each site as you find it. So, you can easily enjoy a relaxing swim here. Every year, people drown in Scotland because of cold water shock. You can reach these gorgeous cascades and their pools by walking from the village towards Aberlour Distillery. Waterfalls, forest and even an underwater archway make for an exciting and interesting trip. The second-longest loch in Scotland is perfect for well-versed swimmers due to its long and deep waters. Learn more about responsible tourism and "treading lightly" in nature on the Visit Scotland website. Were beginning this list of spots for wild swimming in Scotland with the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. Its sheltered from A beautiful burn located in an ancient woodland. Follow the stream towards the mountain and explore the numerous turquoise pools, small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch. There will be four levels of membership; Members can use one or two vouchers for most of the swim sessions on offer as well as receiving 25% discount of any Bespoke arrangements, like 1:1 tuition, trips to other venues or Swim Parties. We are delighted to be able to bring you a variety of sessions which aim to accommodate all levels of Wild Swimmer. On Watch Me See I share travel guides, itineraries and tons of practical tips for visiting Scotland. 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! With the Ayrshire Coastal Path backing the beach, there are excellent views over the Firth of Clyde to the Island of Arran. To see safety information on rip currents when wild swimming in the sea click here. From conservation village Ellenabeich, where free car park is signed at N end, cross to island by ferry and walk NW to quarries, 400m. THE National has compiled a list of wild swimming spots dotted around Scotland, with something for every kind of swimmer. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Find out more here. 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. 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. 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. You will receive a verification email shortly. Stunning and wild backdrop. From shallow rivers perfect for children and pets to paddle in, to silver stretches of sand on windswept islands. Whether its a family day trip to the Beach Boulevard just outside the centre of Aberdeen, or an adventurous swim through the cracks of a collapsed cave at Hells Lum over Cullykhan Bay, Aberdeenshire is rich with unique rural locations, and beaches to go open water swimming. Another natural wonder in the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, the Falls of Falloch is a charming spot for outdoor swimming in Scotland. Can you swim in lochan? A forum for sharing information on the best wild swim places and for organising swim outings and summer missions. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). If you want to turn your swim into a watersports affair, the freshwater reservoir is also great for SUPs and kayaking. 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. Are you on the phone to our call centre? Its a purpose-built loch with a relatively shallow depth of 1.5 metres, making it ideal for families. Elegant white A beautiful wide gorge opening out to very large, still river pool (200m). Not only is the loch in the middle of some of the most stunning Scottish terrain about, its also suitable for windsurfing (so watch out when youre swimming). With the rising popularity, people from all over the country are seeking new secluded and peaceful locations, as the best wild swimming Scotland spots are swarmed by eager individuals. Did you ever see any or have an encounter? Suitable for: Families. Lively currents will give you a boost as you head downstream. Dipping, Dooking or Swimming in Scotland's Beautiful Waters. . Its good fun and basically only way to do it outdoors in Scotland! Perfect for an afternoon dip. 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. 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. Loch Ard benefits from shallow areas, making it perfect for beginners and families. There are also islands within the loch including Innis Chonnell and Innishail. Lets get that debate started! 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. There are also variables such as currents and tides which can pull you under and away from shore. 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). Love the waterfalls and wild swimming that Scotland has to offer. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. 5 mins, 58.1703, -5.3069. Amazing locations for wild swimming in Scotland arent hard to come by, with the country offering showstopping lochs, waterfalls and natural pools in abundance! Its a very popular spot for visitors, with the hashtag #lochness being used over 450,000 times on Instagram! Loch Ard benefits from shallow areas, making it perfect for beginners and families. 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. Why Sign up to receive discounts, exclusive offers, travel tips and guides. Wow! Make trip planning easier with my Scotland Resource Library. Due to the reservoir being part of the Cairns Farm Estate, it also makes for a quiet area for a dip. 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. Loch (/lx/) is the Scottish Gaelic, Scots and Irish word for a lake or sea inlet. Wild Swimming in Argyll and the Isles. 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. The archipelago is pretty flat, so you can see water for miles when travelling around. 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. From munros, waterfalls, forests, and gardens, to glens, moors and rivers where you can carry out your wild swimming, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Sunday 26th March 1000 Groyn 5, Portobello. Looks onto the Island of Eigg. From shallow rivers perfect for children and pets to paddle in, to silver stretches of sand on windswept islands. During summer the water is a lovely temperature. Britains longest lake and home to Nessie. This takes place between April and October, and the lakes get pretty busy with fishing boats and anglers, making it hard to go for a peaceful dip. Lovers of wide-open spaces will enjoy this beach, which is located near the gorgeous seaside town of Crail. 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. And icy-cold it was nevertheless I jumped in three times from different heights and swam a few strokes to cool down. If you do decide to keep diving in once winter arrives, make sure to read our article on how to choose a wetsuit. A hike along Glen Rosa valley is an easy alternative to huffing and puffing up Goatfell on a sunny day. 1 2 3. Looking west onto the Island of Barra, this beach offers the signature Caribbean-blue waters of Scotlands north-west coast. Next to a large grassy embankment which is ideal for picnics or playing sports. There was a problem. Your Customer ID is: Sign up to receive discounts, exclusive offers, travel tips and guides. Wild swimming, or open water swimming, in Scotland has become a popular watersport in recent years amongst the Scottish population. What is e-biking, and is it right for you? From Cannich on the A381 take the road signed Glen Affric past IV4 7NB. Aka normal swimming/camping before there were tons of people everywhere No but seriously these places look stunning and I love your costume! Escape the hustle and bustle of Scotlands largest city, to these stunning, secluded loch side locations for your wild swimming Glasgow. A true Scottish hidden gem, Inversnaid Waterfall is a magical place for a spot of wild swimming in Scotland! Editors' Code of Practice. Take your pick of incredible wild swimming spots on Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest freshwater loch. 5 mins, 57.2832, -4.9280. Theres even a cafe on the shore to warm up in, should the water be slightly on the chilly side. Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. I just ordered a wet-suits for future adventures , I hadnt thought about Scotland this way before, thanks for sharing some great notes! Drawing on her vast experience as a long-distance swimmer and open water swimming coach, Alice has hand-picked locations to help you experience Scotland at its wild and rugged . A lake or sea inlet beach, there are also islands within the loch Ness in an ancient woodland of! For everybody to enjoy, so pack your Skin so Soft just outside the grounds Swimmer. Glen Etive a series of three falls and three pools set in quick succession roadside. 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