Take your pick of incredible wild swimming spots on Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest freshwater loch. Magical old steep-sided slate quarries are now filled with Mediterranean-blue sea water, and offer a more sheltered swim on the beautiful car-free Easdale. Located 25 miles off the coast of Land's End, all of Scilly's islands are stunning. 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. A mixture of sand and rock, Seamill Beach can be reached in a train ride from Glasgow. This 13.3km loch is surprisingly safe, despite its imposing size. 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. GPS coordinates: 56.56664, -5.05008 Julia graduated with a degree in journalism in 2004 and spent eight years working as a radio presenter in Kansas City, Vermont, Boston and New York City before discovering the joys of the Rocky Mountains. There will be four levels of membership; Dolphin Membership - 20 Swim Vouchers - 130 (Spring / Summer starts 1/4/23, valid until 30/9/23) Weve only been to Loch Ard on this list but it was a little chilly for a dip. Black sand beach with breathtaking views of the mountains. Expert Answers: 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. Swimming on Top of the World. Jemma Martin, Wild Swimming Scotland member This means that in popular swimming spots like Loch Lomond, you can enjoy water temperatures of around 15C/59F in the middle of summer and slowly adapt to the cooling temperatures which will fall to a chilly 11C/52F in the autumn before reaching a frigid 5C/41F come winter. 2 hours, 56.9593, -4.5677. But Bryher, just 2.5 miles-long and half-a-mile wide, has the best swimming. I guess I mostly just thought about wilderness and hiking. Nearest car park: Glenbrittle, Isle of Skye IV47 8TA The beach is backed by low, grassy dunes which are ideal to picknick on. Oh, I need to add that to my list! Discover the best wild swim locations in Scotland, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall. So thats why weve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. Escape the hustle and bustle of Scotlands largest city, to these stunning, secluded loch side locations for your wild swimming Glasgow. To see information on water quality click here. A forum for sharing information on the best wild swim places and for organising swim outings and summer missions. Now, we have got the complete detailed explanation and . When it comes to spots for open water swimming in Scotland, youll be surprised to find a few surrounding the bustling city of Edinburgh. The large space means there are many opportunities to master open water swimming before trying the harder wild swimming spots in Scotland. This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. 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. Other pretty spots for wild swimming on Mull are the beaches in Fidden & Loch Buie on the Ross of Mull peninsula. Nearest car park: Harlaw Car Park, Balerno, EH14 7AS But there is nothing better than a jump in some fresh cold water after a long day of hiking and these spots look perfect! 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! Alternatively, you can purchase a one-off day pass. 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. where to wild swim. Looking west onto the Island of Barra, this beach offers the signature Caribbean-blue waters of Scotlands north-west coast. Tide goes out 0.2 miles. Follow the stream towards the mountain and explore the numerous turquoise pools, small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch. 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. If you are new to Cold Water Swimming / Dipping, you will be required to take a number of 1:1 sessions to ensure you are safe to join in our group sessions. If you want to turn your swim into a watersports affair, the freshwater reservoir is also great for SUPs and kayaking. The water is clear and will give you a boost with lively currents you head downstream. Its good fun and basically only way to do it outdoors in Scotland! 5 mins, 58.1703, -5.3069. With Scotland's right to roam access, you legally have your pick of swimming spots, as long as you do so responsibly. 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 answer, according to Armour, is to not delay in getting your wet gear off and getting warm, no matter how amazing you feel in the moment. 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 . 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. 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. Suitable for: Families. 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. The Tayside city is a vibrant and compact city that is slowly becoming a modern wonder. Above are 100m of further A huge plunge pot under a great Waterfall or Gorge. Next Warrior Water Women retreats coming soon Join us for a retreat in the beautiful Scottish highlands gbsct When plunging into these waters, youll feel like youre in a fairytale, with an array of mountains and natural jacuzzis peppering the landscape. (Not ideal for children unless supervised.) Click, best walking and hiking spots in Aberdeenshire. Head down the bank towards the island linked to the shore by a sandy beach with tree stumps. Favourites were Sand, by Applecross (didnt know the UK PM was at a cottage nearby) and the beaches at Scourie near Lochinver. Wild swimmers are asked not to go out alone and to stay close to shore, whenever possible. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The force and currents can be strong after heavy rainfall or snowmelt, but otherwise, its a great spot for a picnic. Higher Glen Etive, Glencoe These shimmering pools have made this list due to being open all year round and being a beautiful area for a wild swim. Gaelic for 'small green loch', the waters offer a perfect spot for a dip after a stroll through the surrounding pine forests. This is a great collection of places to visit for a refreshing swim! Achmelvich is a paradise of multiple small beaches with crystal clear water and pure white sands, nestled amongst the rocky bays of Assynts coastline. Browse 339 wild swimming scotland stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. One notable swimming group is the Loch Leven (Glencoe) Open Water Swimmers; if youre a beginner, why not join them for a swim? You can find similar conditions in a beautiful glen much closer to Glasgow (and Edinburgh) on the Isle of Arran! You might also like: A practical guide for snorkelling in Scotland. Despite its peaceful surroundings, Glen Etive does have very deep parts in it, meaning you should take extra care here. 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. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to Take a picnic and soak up the scenery, it's a magical place to swim. Discover the best wild swim locations in Scotland, whether a river swim, a lake or even a waterfall. There are also some From the A82 take a narrow single track road. The Isle of Mull has a plethora of these beaches and one is prettier than the next. 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. 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. A hike along Glen Rosa valley is an easy alternative to huffing and puffing up Goatfell on a sunny day. You can reach the waterfall by venturing a short distance from the hamlet of Inversnaid. On Watch Me See I share travel guides, itineraries and tons of practical tips for visiting Scotland. Paddleboarders can often be seen here. That said, after the initial shock of plunging in, wild swimming in Scotland provides an incredibly invigorating and therapeutic experience all set against a backdrop of jaw-dropping scenery; plunge into a deep highland river pool, bathe in calm island seas or enjoy a slow swim across a still, wild loch fringed with ancient Scots pine. Please adjust your search criteria and try again. Readers can receive a 20% discount and free P&P with code calmac at Wild Things Publishing. 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. Listen to my podcast Wild for Scotland for lots of travel inspiration. 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. Im aware that I am myself one of these visitors! 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