Readers can receive a 20% discount and free P&P with code calmac at Wild Things Publishing. Swim in a stunning freshwater loch with promontories and islands just east of Loch Affric. GPS coordinates: 57.01214, -2.49052 Required fields are marked *. Whether its a rural escape to the Highlands or a romantic retreat to a peaceful seaside town, explore our gorgeous Scotland hotels and inns, located in some of the most stunning locations, with gorgeous lochs and picturesque backdrops, all across Scotland in the UK. But Bryher, just 2.5 miles-long and half-a-mile wide, has the best swimming. 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. Follow the stream towards the mountain and explore the numerous turquoise pools, small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch. 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. There are multiple entry points to choose from, however, the best way to access the loch is via Go Country Adventure. With many gorgeous beaches, all within a 30 minute drive, you will never run out of options to glide through the gorgeous Scottish waters with beautiful backdrops. Learn more about responsible tourism and "treading lightly" in nature on the Visit Scotland website. Head down the bank towards the island linked to the shore by a sandy beach with tree stumps. This stunning cascade rests moments away from Loch Lomond and is the perfect spot for diving. In this wild swimming in Scotland guide, Loch Leven is one of the most stunning sights! 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. 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! My favourite holiday destination in the UK has to be Suffolk, I have so many Sign up to receive exclusive offers, competitions and the latest news to your inbox, and you'll be entered into our monthly prize-draw 3 times! Trying to swim in the sea? Weve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country. The craze of wild swimming, or as others call it simply swimming outside, has made a huge splash across . Here you can pick up last-minute swimming gear before venturing southward to the glimmering loch for a scenic swim! 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). GPS coordinates: 56.35007, -4.69296 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. We tried wild swimming at Plodda Falls. All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture! Further upstream, Loch Affric is also a good location for a swim, with the whole glen providing opportunities . Our Top Spots. Wild swimming is that like wild camping? From the popular Broughty Ferry beach, East Sands Beach in St Andrews, the ideal setting to watch the sunrise, to Elie Harbour & Earlsferry for a more secluded location, there will be something for everyone. 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. 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? Another astounding spot for wild swimming in Scotland is Loch Ard, located within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Nearest car park: Kinlochard Car Park, Stirling, FK8 3TW When plunging into these waters, youll feel like youre in a fairytale, with an array of mountains and natural jacuzzis peppering the landscape. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. This summer I visited the north east and swam off every beach from by Oban to Durness. From gliding through the clear waters at Ganavan Sands, a gorgeous white sand beach, to dipping into the vibrant waters of Loch Fyne, with dramatic Scottish landscapes as a backdrop, the little seaside town of Oban is the perfect destination if youre seeking tranquillity or adventure. If you are acclimatised to the Cold Water but would like to join the Membership Support Programme, you will be required to meet with Maree for a shoreside session and a short dip to discuss your needs, prior to joining our group sessions. Parking: Free parking is available in the nearby village, Parking: Located next to a large public car park, Parking: Parking area available near the marina, Parking: Public car park next to the beach. (Unless you spot some rubbish in that case, take it home with you.). Suitable for: Families. 5 mins, 57.2832, -4.9280. Nearest car park: Conic Hill Car Park, Balmaha, Glasgow, G63 0JQ Probably the river in Kinlochleven just because it was so refreshing to jump in after a hot day on the West Highland Way! Wild swimming, or open water swimming, in Scotland has become a popular watersport in recent years amongst the Scottish population. Although it may take a while to brave the cold, after the first dip, it is said that open water swimming in Scotland is a spectacular, energising and invigorating activity that has a number of impressive health benefits. Here are some of my favourite outdoor swimming spots across Scotland. Explore Crerar Hotels & Inns for a luxurious escape, whilst exploring the best wild swimming Scotland has to offer. The second-longest loch in Scotland is perfect for well-versed swimmers due to its long and deep waters. Reached along a sign-posted path, five minutes walk from road. South facing beach reached by dirt track from Straad. Oh brrrrr I can imagine! Another astounding spot for wild swimming in Scotland is Loch Ard, located within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. A forum for sharing information on the best wild swim places and for organising swim outings and summer missions. 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. 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. Pedn Vounder Sands, near Penzance, Cornwall. 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. THENational has compiled a list of wild swimming spots dotted around Scotland, with something for every kind of swimmer. 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 . The swimming spot can be reached by a short walk that begins at the nearby car park and takes you through trees, where you can enjoy glimpses of the River Falloch. A good path hugs the N side of the Glen, with ever-increasing views of the cliffs ahead. 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. Its a purpose-built loch with a relatively shallow depth of 1.5 metres, making it ideal for families. 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. There are a number of small plunge pools on the Grey Mares Tail Burn. Stunning gorge with rapids above and deep pools, Waterfall or Gorge and sandy cove below. There might not be a Nessy here, but this loch in the heart of the Cairngorms mountains offers a fantastic wild swim. Was it cold? GPS coordinates: 55.87023, -3.30914 This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Nearest car park: Castlehill Reservoir Parking, A823, Dollar, FK14 7LA Nearest car park: Fiddich Park & Ben Aigan Car Park, A95, Aberlour AB38 9RR Backed by the cliffs of Treryn Dinas, this sandy beach has clear waters and fantastic rock formations . I need nice warm water to even think about going in. Wild Swimming in Scotland. There was a problem. Wild swimmers are asked not to go out alone and to stay close to shore, whenever possible. The annual Monster Swim event takes place here during the summer and is where expert swimmers can partake in a five-kilometre swimming race. is an expert in exploring British waterways for sport. What makes Glen Etive extra special is the loch it feeds into, where a group of adorable seals and otters await! View Privacy Policy. 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. Suitable for:Adults. In Scotland, there are currently 85 designated bathing waters. The beach stretches for twomiles, with rocky outcrops that make a suitable place to rockpool during low tide. 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. The popularity of wild swimming has exploded in recent years, with the mental health benefits being increasingly promoted by its advocates. Loch Lubnaig Loch Lubnaig, which means elbow in Gaelic, near. Above are 100m of further A huge plunge pot under a great Waterfall or Gorge. Nowadays, experienced swimmers can brave its waters, all the while enjoying the rural scenery and distant sight of Cairns Castle. The barrier to the car park is coin-operated. There are two main areas to wild swim in Edinburgh. Loch Ard benefits from shallow areas, making it perfect for beginners and families. Whether its gliding through the vibrant waters of Loch Lomond at Milarrochy Bay or taking a dip with Largs picturesque Pencil Monument in the background, there will be a special place for you. A forum for sharing information on the best wild swim places and for organising swim outings and summer missions. Dipping, Dooking or Swimming in Scotland's Beautiful Waters. 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. The lake itself has hidden boulders, so just be careful. Suitable for: Families. Now many of those once secret spots are meccas for. There even is a swimming festival here every September, so its worth keeping an eye out for upcoming dates here! Located in the heart of Scotland, Perthshire is home to a gorgeous palace, ancient residence of Scottish monarchs and is easily accessible from all major cities. / But Glen Rosa and the emerald green pools are something else. Wild swimming sounds like an exhilarating experience. Reference information for this article and special thank you. Nature is for everybody to enjoy, so make sure you leave each site as you find it. Popular for wild camping. Next Warrior Water Women retreats coming soon Join us for a retreat in the beautiful Scottish highlands gbsct When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. 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). One of these is the gorgeous Harlaw Reservoir, where wild swims can be enjoyed amidst peaceful surroundings! Unleash your inner adventurer at one of these 14 best wild swimming Scotland spots. Gilian is currently undertaking an impressive ice swimming challenge in aid of the Islay Dog Rescue, please consider donating to her Jedi Polar Bear Challenge through her Go Fund Me page here. Are you on the phone to our call centre? This is a great collection of places to visit for a refreshing swim! Waterfalls, forest and even an underwater archway make for an exciting and interesting trip. And if you think thats a mouthful, just wait for how cold the water is! Good pub nearby in the grandeur of A long river canyon with high cliffs and deep water. 1 2 3. Interesting rock formations. To see safety information on wild swimming in reservoirs and wild swimming in rivers, click here. Nearest car park: Threipmuir Reservoir Car Park, Mansfield Rd, Balerno, EH14 7JT If youre wanting a slightly more secluded spot then venture out to the coastal beaches in North Berwick or Blackness Bay in Falkirk. If you dont mind the crowds and on lookers it is a great place to take a dip. Pretty much its swimming in wild waters, without any infrastructure for swimmers (just like wild camping). In 2013, I fell madly in love with Scotland and made it my home. Its easy to see why its so popular, as not only does it behold iconic histories, such as Urquhart Castle and the mythical Nessie, but its a stunning place for a swim. So its worth keeping an eye out for upcoming dates here, whilst exploring the best swimming... 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