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. To view all the sessions and social opportunities available to the Membership between March and July, follow the link below. Swimming on Top of the World. www.wildthingspublishing.com/product/wild-guide-scotland-book/, 2011 - 2014 Wild Swimming Community Contributors, Captcha VerificationCaptcha Verification Word Verification. There are multiple entry points to choose from, however, the best way to access the loch is via Go Country Adventure. Nearest car park: Kinlochard Car Park, Stirling, FK8 3TW On Watch Me See I share travel guides, itineraries and tons of practical tips for visiting Scotland. Parking: Available at Tentsmuir Forest car park, near beach, Parking: Paid high street parking available near beach, Parking: Available at the Arbroath end of the beach, Parking: Free parking and toilet facilities nearby, Parking: Available next to the beach, off South Street. Suitable for:Adults. 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. This handy guide features hand-picked spots for outdoor swimming in Scotland for you to try on your next trip, from those tucked away in remote woodland to those within reach of cities. Image Credits: Nigel Corby CC BY-SA 2.0; Paul McIlroy CC BY-SA 2.0. 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. Discover the best wild swim locations in Scotland, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall. Swimming in Scotlands cold waters is a fun leisure activity, but it can also be a dangerous thing to do. We managed to beat the hiking crowds and had the pool to ourselves for quite a while , Wow, those are some cool swimming spots! The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. Which is your favourite wild swimming spot in Scotland? 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. To see information on water quality click here. 5 mins, 58.1703, -5.3069. A hike along Glen Rosa valley is an easy alternative to huffing and puffing up Goatfell on a sunny day. 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. From the B8009 just SE of Carbost take the turn signed Glenbrittle 400m E of IV47 8ST. I have to admit, I couldnt make myself to jump in it was just too cold But in the summer the water looks significantly more pleasant, and who doesnt love a quick cold refreshment to get the blood circulation going!? Black sand beach with breathtaking views of the mountains. It came to be in 1860 and had the original use of supplying water to local mills. 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! Explore some of the best minibreaks and staycations in Scotland and book today to start your adventure. Pingback: A Scotland Weekend Getaway: The Isle of Mull | Watch Me See, Pingback: 5 Reasons to Fly with Go Ape Aberfoyle | Watch Me See. There are two main areas to wild swim in Edinburgh. 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. Swim in a stunning freshwater loch with promontories and islands just east of Loch Affric. Every year, people drown in Scotland because of cold water shock. Looking west onto the Island of Barra, this beach offers the signature Caribbean-blue waters of Scotlands north-west coast. Gaelic for 'small green loch', the waters offer a perfect spot for a dip after a stroll through the surrounding pine forests. 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. In summer it just comes alive. 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. Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event. Thank you for signing up to Advnture. Nearest car park: Little Vantage car park, Unnamed Road, Kirknewton, EH27 8DJ 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 . Dores Beach is a good spot and local swimmers meet here regularly for swimming. 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. Useful information on the health & safety of Wild Swimming Scotland. The water is clear and will give you a boost with lively currents you head downstream. One City Place, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 3BQ, United Kingdom. This article wouldnt be possible without the Scottish wild swimming locations map created by Gilian Fyfe. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. 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. An Lochan Uaine is no doubt one of the most striking wild swimming spots in Scotland, with stunning turquoise waters reminiscent of a Norwegian lake. Wild swimming, sometimes known as outdoor or open water swimming, is an extra special watersport in Scotland. Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches in Fidden & Loch Buie on the Ross of Mull peninsula. There are plenty of entry and exit points around the Loch. GPS coordinates: 56.19663, -3.3764 Secluded place to access shoreline opposite dramatic Urquhart Castle, down through fields. A gently shelving section of river beach, deepening to 4m, with large flat rocks on the nearside. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im Kathi! Based in Portobello, Edinburgh, we offer swimming lessons and supervised swims at locations around the Lothians. In Scotland, there are currently 85 designated bathing waters. 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. We'll also enter you into monthly Prize draw. With the Ayrshire Coastal Path backing the beach, there are excellent views over the Firth of Clyde to the Island of Arran. However, I would be concerned about eels, mainly in the lochs. I hope youll have an epic trip to Scotland. The beach is popular among local swimmers and booking a session here with a coach is a great introduction to wild swimming in Scotland. Park at nearby Loch Morlich and take the 45-minute walk to the lochan. Suitable for: Families. Thats just a wee bit chilly for this Florida native! Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Love the waterfalls and wild swimming that Scotland has to offer. The loch is also not as deep as many surrounding waters, and therefore slightly warmer than other places nearby. Loch Ness is another spot for outdoor swimming in Scotland that you have to try. Listen to my podcast Wild for Scotland for lots of travel inspiration. Outdoor Activities. Parking: Various public car parks scattered across city, Parking: Car park, with public toilets, around a 15 minute walk from beach, Parking: Public parking available at Market Square Car Park, very close to beach, Parking: Public car park available around 5 minute walk from the beach, Parking: Public car next to Cullykhan Bay. 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. Read these three tips from Scottish ultra swimmer James Armour before you take the plunge. Wild Swim Scotland Membership Levels Our membership programme will include swim vouchers, which can then be used to book sessions as shown on our events calendar. Readers can receive a 20% discount and free P&P with code calmac at Wild Things Publishing. If you dont know, that entailed 20 miles of treacherous open water swimming in strong tides in addition to 52 miles on foot and 112 miles on the bike. 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. I love swimming and I love Scotland. There will be somewhere spectacular for you to experience wild swimming in the Highlands. Most locations will be quiet, secluded and peaceful. Here you can pick up last-minute swimming gear before venturing southward to the glimmering loch for a scenic swim! At fork, follow sign for Coire Ardair. Loch Ard benefits from shallow areas, making it perfect for beginners and families. The Tayside city is a vibrant and compact city that is slowly becoming a modern wonder. From Cannich on the A381 take the road signed Glen Affric past IV4 7NB. Please see the full list of useful health and safety websites and information at the bottom of this page. Beautiful stretch of river among woods of Scots pine. To see safety information on rip currents when wild swimming in the sea click here. Keep an eye out! Wow! Best for: Skinny dipping and sea kayaking. Considering trying wild swimming in Scotland? 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. Do you have a favorite? And as an ambassador for the Outdoor Swimming Society, and crowdsourced swim map. 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. Regular sessions will be held; most Monday mornings at 0745 at Groyn 5, Portobello Beach and every Monday evening at 1900, in the dusk with tow floats and lights at Wardie Bay. As long as the conditions are right, anywhere is a fantastic place for wild swimming in Scotland. Returned from the B8009 just SE of Carbost take the road signed Glen Affric past 7NB. 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