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. Wild Swimming in Argyll and the Isles. Backed by the cliffs of Treryn Dinas, this sandy beach has clear waters and fantastic rock formations . If youre not sure whether a beach is suitable for swimming, its best to avoid it. Wild swimming, sometimes known as outdoor or open water swimming, is an extra special watersport in Scotland. Whether its the Isle of Mull, Oban, or Loch Fyne in Inverary you ventured upon, there will also be a luxurious hotel to coorie up after your cold, rejuvenating dip. St Andrews sounds lovely though Ive not had the best of weather there so far maybe next time . Depending on how hardy you are, the water and air temperatures, and how long you want to stay in the water, you can wear a swim suit or a full wet suit. Milarrochy Bay takes up part of the 71 km lochs eastern shore and is an idyllic place for an open water paddle. Here, she takes us through the best swimming spots in the wilds of Scotland. One City Place, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3BQ, United Kingdom. From munros, waterfalls, forests, and gardens, to glens, moors and rivers where you can carry out your wild swimming, surrounded by picturesque landscapes. 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. A forum for sharing information on the best wild swim places and for organising swim outings and summer missions. Will swimming has never been more popular, with plenty of people taking up the often-bracing activity . Basically, its any form of swimming in places without infrastructure like changing rooms or safety features Maybe thats a British thing! Continue along the woodland trail, with the Spey River flowing to your right. There are also variables such as currents and tides which can pull you under and away from shore. 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. Suitable for:Families. I totally dont think of swimming when I think of Scotland. In the New Forest National Park, 566 km2 of picturesque woodlands, quaint villages, and a 40-mile coastline await. Stunning gorge with rapids above and deep pools, Waterfall or Gorge and sandy cove below. Nearby, the Glenbrittle Campsite & Caf offers a handy WC for you to freshen up in, as well as an array of post-swimming snacks. Im a writer, blogger and podcaster based in Glasgow. I havent been swimming in Scotland yet, I need to build my courage up and give it a try I think! where to wild swim. Glen Etive is a winding ravine situated near the picturesque village of Glencoe. When it comes to places with amazing waterfalls, Scotland is hard to beat! 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. After a steep climb up the Devils Staircase and a long descent to Kinlochleven, we were exhausted and sweaty and really needed something to cool us down. This is one you should plan in advance, and only for the more courageous and strong swimmer. Bring a towel and a flask with a good warm drink for after your swim. Admittedly, a hot day in Scotland might still make some of you reach for your jackets, but if you are the adventurous kind, you might want to reconsider. This 13.3km loch is surprisingly safe, despite its imposing size. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can 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. The archipelago is pretty flat, so you can see water for miles when travelling around. *Calls to this number will incur a charge. Download my FREE Trip Planning Checklist. This willl take you alongside River Etive until you eventually from Fort Augustus, take A82 that goes west of loch ness. Sunday 26th March 1000 Groyn 5, Portobello. 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. 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. Suitable for:Adults. 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. 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. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. 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. Higher Glen Etive, Glencoe These are part of Wild Swim Scotlands Membership Programme. Some nice spots!! I just ordered a wet-suits for future adventures , I hadnt thought about Scotland this way before, thanks for sharing some great notes! 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. Learn more about responsible tourism and "treading lightly" in nature on the Visit Scotland website. If you want to turn your swim into a watersports affair, the freshwater reservoir is also great for SUPs and kayaking. It isnt far from the main road, and as such is popular with campers and other swimmers. In this wild swimming in Scotland guide, Loch Leven is one of the most stunning sights! The large space means there are many opportunities to master open water swimming before trying the harder wild swimming spots in Scotland. However, I would be concerned about eels, mainly in the lochs. So, you can easily enjoy a relaxing swim here. You can swim across the 1km Gulf of Corryvreckan in slack water between the tides. 2 hours, 56.9593, -4.5677. I need nice warm water to even think about going in. The craze of wild swimming, or as others call it simply swimming outside, has made a huge splash across . To see information on water quality click here. And as an ambassador for the Outdoor Swimming Society, and crowdsourced swim map. The loch is also ideal for anyone interested in long-distance swimming as it is approximately five kilometres long. Nearest car park: Parking layby Loch Ness, A82, Inverness IV63 6XR New Cottages - Just Added To The Website! Readers can receive a 20% discount and free P&P with code calmac at Wild Things Publishing. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and . Achmelvich is a paradise of multiple small beaches with crystal clear water and pure white sands, nestled amongst the rocky bays of Assynts coastline. These water bodies are gorgeous and so inviting headed there in October but likely no wild swimming for me. In English English and Hiberno-English, the anglicised spelling lough is commonly found in place names; in Lowland Scots and Scottish English, the spelling "loch" is always used. Save Higher Glen Etive 1 review Pinpoint Add to Favorites Glencoe The Scottish Highlands is one of the most picturesque locations in the world, and is usually what people imagine when they think of Scotland. You have to take a very short passenger boat from Ellenabeich to get across to Easdale, although it is so short you could probably swim it! You can reach the waterfall by venturing a short distance from the hamlet of Inversnaid. Next to a large grassy embankment which is ideal for picnics or playing sports. All the latest inspiration, tips and guides to help you plan your next Advnture! Last Update: Jan 03, 2023. Waulkmill Bay is one of the more sheltered areas that offer a sandy bottom and stunning swim spot. GPS coordinates: 57.25034, -6.25829 And icy-cold it was nevertheless I jumped in three times from different heights and swam a few strokes to cool down. Wild swimmers are asked not to go out alone and to stay close to shore, whenever possible. Nearest car park: Little Vantage car park, Unnamed Road, Kirknewton, EH27 8DJ 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. Were beginning this list of spots for wild swimming in Scotland with the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. Nearest car park: Conic Hill Car Park, Balmaha, Glasgow, G63 0JQ Ganavan Sands is a sandy beach just outside of Oban. Camusdarach Beach, Arisaig, in the summer months, Wild swimming in Scotland: The life-changing practice of cold water therapy, Storm Corrie: Top 10 Scots words to describe stormy weather. However you choose to get there, you can look forward to dipping your toes in the blue-green waters of the cool pools. We managed to beat the hiking crowds and had the pool to ourselves for quite a while , Wow, those are some cool swimming spots! Thats just a wee bit chilly for this Florida native! There are plenty of entry and exit points around the Loch. A Gannett Company. Suitable for:Families. You might also like: The Benefits of Water Wellness & 7 Water Activities to Try. If the water is still too cold for you, there are also many hiking trails to viewpoints around the loch! Gaelic for 'small green loch', the waters offer a perfect spot for a dip after a stroll through the surrounding pine forests. Hi, I'm Lola and I joined the marketing team in 2021. / GPS coordinates:56.18556, -4.47453 In summer it just comes alive. Theres nothingmore refreshing on a hot summers day than jumping into a lake, river or even the sea and Scotland is no exception. 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). Swim in a stunning freshwater loch with promontories and islands just east of Loch Affric. Why not have a look at our selection and order your favourite in advance like Julie did. With 188 mountains in Wales, the country is a hiking haven! 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 very short walk to this popular waterfall and picnic spot, where the River Falloch falls in a single 10m leap. The second-longest loch in Scotland is perfect for well-versed swimmers due to its long and deep waters. At fork, follow sign for Coire Ardair. Discover the best wild swim locations in Scotland, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall. Ha ha I dont know what warmth you are talking about Im sure the water is warmer then than in the Spring! contact the editor here. One of Scotland's most enchanting wild swimming spots, the crystal-clear pools lie at the foot of the dramatic Black Cuillin mountain range. And finally, more important than whether you decide to take a wetsuit or a pair of water shoes, Armour advises you to always take a friend with you when you go wild swimming. Park at nearby Loch Morlich and take the 45-minute walk to the lochan. Stunning wooded gorge on mythical River Findhorn, descending to rocky headlands with access to river beaches and very large A dramatic gorge cutting down under an elegant Victorian bridge to deep pools and river beaches in open woodland. Favourites were Sand, by Applecross (didnt know the UK PM was at a cottage nearby) and the beaches at Scourie near Lochinver. Wild Swimming - Scotland . 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. If youre new to wild swimming in Scotland, Knockburn Loch is the place to visit! Deep, large, black plunge pool (30m) at base of Scotlands second highest Waterfall or Gorge. Although it may seem tempting to deep dive into the colourful waters, safety always comes first. New York, Whether its for a hike up Ben Aan or a thrilling afternoon at Go Ape, the area around Aberfoyle in the Trossachs is one of my favourites in Scotland. Forum for sharing some great notes would be concerned about eels, mainly in the lochs I just a. Plunge pool ( 30m ) at base of Scotlands second highest waterfall Gorge! Need nice warm water to even think about going in its any form of swimming I... Locations in Scotland, Knockburn loch is also great for SUPs and.. 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