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. 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!? What makes Glen Etive extra special is the loch it feeds into, where a group of adorable seals and otters await! 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! Popular for wild camping. Weve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country. 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. In response, your blood leaves your core which is still surrounded by a layer of cold skin and muscle, and as a result, youll actually be at your coldest about 10 minutes after you exit the water. The River Orchy is a beautiful river in Glen Orchy east of Dalmally. Were beginning this list of spots for wild swimming in Scotland with the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye. Head down the bank towards the island linked to the shore by a sandy beach with tree stumps. Reference information for this article and special thank you. The water is cold, but exactly what you need after the walk. During summer the water is a lovely temperature. Loch Ard benefits from shallow areas, making it perfect for beginners and families. Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches in Fidden & Loch Buie on the Ross of Mull peninsula. Loch Ard benefits from shallow areas, making it perfect for beginners and families. Required fields are marked *. From Cannich on the A381 take the road signed Glen Affric past IV4 7NB. Though wild swimming requires no memberships, clubs and swimming groups around the UK also saw a surge in interest during the pandemic. 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. Its sheltered from A beautiful burn located in an ancient woodland. 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. Aka normal swimming/camping before there were tons of people everywhere No but seriously these places look stunning and I love your costume! Stunning Wild Swimming Locations in Scotland. 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. However, I would be concerned about eels, mainly in the lochs. On Watch Me See I share travel guides, itineraries and tons of practical tips for visiting Scotland. Useful information on the health & safety of Wild Swimming Scotland. A mixture of sand and rock, Seamill Beach can be reached in a train ride from Glasgow. The pool is pretty shallow, making for a family-friendly spot for a dip. Parking: Large free car park directly next to wild swimming spot, Parking: Large car park, with public toilets, available in Balmaha, beautiful walk along the West Highland Way alongside Loch Lomond towards the bay, Parking: Public car parking available at Luss South car park, Parking: Free large car park next to the beach, Parking: Parking available at Largs marina, Parking: Public car park in Prestwick centre, 6 minute walk from beach, Parking: Car park, with direct access to the beach, can be found at the end of Hyndman Road in Seamill, Parking: Parking, with toilets can be found near the Council offices on South Beach Road. There is a beautiful bay about 500m to the north of the Achmelvich campsite in Assynt. 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. Theres even a cafe on the shore to warm up in, should the water be slightly on the chilly side. Forget about the Faerie Pools on the Isle of Skye on a sunny day in summer, I bet you they are too crowded for a more or less elegant dip in the water. 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. Unleash your inner adventurer at one of these 14 best wild swimming Scotland spots. Wild swimming is that like wild camping? 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. What is wild swimming and why do it? Good shout! The force and currents can be strong after heavy rainfall or snowmelt, but otherwise, its a great spot for a picnic. Available to pre-order soon. Wow! Though no official membership is required to participate, the Wild Swimming Scotland Facebook group has over 70.9k members - with dozens of pictures and videos uploaded every day of people swimming in the rain, wind, and snow. Love the waterfalls and wild swimming that Scotland has to offer. With 188 mountains in Wales, the country is a hiking haven! You can reach these gorgeous cascades and their pools by walking from the village towards Aberlour Distillery. If youre brave enough, you will be rewarded with a relaxing bath in one of the many pools formed by the river flowing through the valley! Nearest car park: On-site parking 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. If you do decide to keep diving in once winter arrives, make sure to read our article on how to choose a wetsuit. In Scotland, all waters are accessible as long as swimmers uphold the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which states that people must respect the interests of others, care for the environment and. Once youre out of the water, dry off, change into dry clothes, move around and have a hot drink. These water bodies are gorgeous and so inviting headed there in October but likely no wild swimming for me. Swimming Wild in Scotland by Alice Goodridge is an informative and inspiring book for both new and experienced wild swimmers, featuring over 100 of the best wild swimming spots across the Scottish mainland and islands.. 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 also islands within the loch including Innis Chonnell and Innishail. Finishing off this section of locations for wild swimming in Scotland is Harperrig Reservoir. Can you swim in lochan? Continue along the woodland trail, with the Spey River flowing to your right. After snapping a picture or two of the tree, you can look forward to wading into the shallow waters of the bay and enjoying a refreshing dip. 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. READ MORE:Wild swimming in Scotland: The life-changing practice of cold water therapy. 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. THENational has compiled a list of wild swimming spots dotted around Scotland, with something for every kind of swimmer. Britains longest lake and home to the Loch Ness Monster. Afterwards, be sure to head to the close-by St Mocha Coffee Shop in Balmaha for a delicious treat. You can reach the winding reservoir from the nearby car park or via the circular walks that pass by. Wild Swimming in Argyll and the Isles. GPS coordinates: 57.46117, -3.22614 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. You can reach the waterfall by venturing a short distance from the hamlet of Inversnaid. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. You will receive a verification email shortly. 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. With lots of plunge pools and smooth rocks for lounging on, this is a great place to spend a whole day or night, if youre a keen camper. Discover the best wild swim locations in Scotland, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall. 20 mins, 57.2496, -6.2547. One of the most enticing beaches in the north of the country and theres a fair amount of competition. 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. Achmelvich is a paradise of multiple small beaches with crystal clear water and pure white sands, nestled amongst the rocky bays of Assynts coastline. We arrived at our hostel in the middle of the afternoon, when the sun was still standing high, burning down. This is a great collection of places to visit for a refreshing swim! 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. Here are some of my favourite outdoor swimming spots across Scotland. 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). . Another astounding spot for wild swimming in Scotland is Loch Ard, located within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi, Im Kathi! 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. These are part of Wild Swim Scotlands Membership Programme. Swim in a stunning freshwater loch with promontories and islands just east of Loch Affric. When it comes to spots for open water swimming in Scotland, youll be surprised to find a few surrounding the bustling city of Edinburgh. Make trip planning easier with my Scotland Resource Library. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. Even this morning with the air temp at 2 degrees centigrade it had several hardy souls before 9. This is a large pool beneath a waterfall on the River Pattack, in the depths of the forest, accessible by an enjoyable beach walk. 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. Nearest car park: Castlehill Reservoir Parking, A823, Dollar, FK14 7LA 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. Out of the Achmelvich campsite in Assynt Etive extra special is the loch Ness Monster information. Concerned about eels, mainly in the north of the Achmelvich campsite Assynt... 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