The Scottish Highlands is one of the most picturesque locations in the world, and is usually what people imagine when they think of Scotland. 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. From our Big Sand Beach in Gairloch, sheltered from onshore wind, with breath-taking views of Skye and Torridon, to chancing a swim with Nessie at Dores Beach which has the best viewpoints of Loch Ness. Dramatic Waterfall or Gorge gorge and numerous pools on route up to Bla Bheinn. 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. Now many of those once secret spots are meccas for. Suitable for:Families. 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. One being the coastal beaches; Wardie Bay and Portobello Beach, where it would be a very rare sight to not see them swarmed with excited locals during the warmer months, the second being a series of reservoirs which have beautiful backdrops overlooking the capital and surrounding areas. Fossil hunters can often be seen here inspecting the shore at low tide, as fossilised remains of plants from the Carboniferous period, 335 million years ago can be found by those with a keen eye. (Unless you spot some rubbish in that case, take it home with you.). GPS coordinates: 56.19663, -3.3764 Nearest car park: Fiddich Park & Ben Aigan Car Park, A95, Aberlour AB38 9RR Trying to swim in the sea? The loch offers several swimming loops between 400-800 metres. 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. The loch is equally as popular as it is iconic, attracting wild swimming groups from all over the country. Dores Beach is a good spot and local swimmers meet here regularly for swimming. 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. 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. Lovely views of the Campsie Hills with Mugdock Visitor Centre providing a station for a tea or coffee after a swim. 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. I was lucky enough to see a grey Park at the Sligachan Hotel. Suitable for: Families. We tried wild swimming at Plodda Falls. Another astounding spot for wild swimming in Scotland is Loch Ard, located within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. We can coordinate day trips to East Lothian, The Pentlands and Central Scotland. It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times. If youre hiking the West Highland Way and the sun is out, this is an absolute must! Its sheltered from A beautiful burn located in an ancient woodland. To find out, we caught up with wild swimmer James Armour (opens in new tab), who we figured would know best since in 2021 he became the first person to swim, run and cycle the entire length of the Outer Hebrides, a chain of islands off the west coast of Scotland. Bring a towel and a flask with a good warm drink for after your swim. The barrier to the car park is coin-operated. There are a number of small plunge pools on the Grey Mares Tail Burn. Interesting rock formations. View Privacy Policy. The beach stretches for twomiles, with rocky outcrops that make a suitable place to rockpool during low tide. Large Waterfall or Gorge plunge pool nearby. Nearest car park: Castlehill Reservoir Parking, A823, Dollar, FK14 7LA I havent been swimming in Scotland yet, I need to build my courage up and give it a try I think! This is a question our experts keep getting from time to time. Loch Beinn a'Mheadhoin and Glen Affric. READ MORE:Wild swimming in Scotland: The life-changing practice of cold water therapy. 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? 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. The archipelago is pretty flat, so you can see water for miles when travelling around. The large space means there are many opportunities to master open water swimming before trying the harder wild swimming spots in Scotland. Nowadays, experienced swimmers can brave its waters, all the while enjoying the rural scenery and distant sight of Cairns Castle. The water is cold, but exactly what you need after the walk. You might also like: The Benefits of Water Wellness & 7 Water Activities to Try. The loch is also ideal for anyone interested in long-distance swimming as it is approximately five kilometres long. Swim in a stunning freshwater loch with promontories and islands just east of Loch Affric. A beautiful sandy beach protected from being too exposed by jutting headlands and a curved bay. 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. Wild Swimming in Scotland. From the car park at Creag Meagaidth reserve at Aberarder on the A86 (approx 4 miles SW of PH20 1BX), head out on well-constructed paths, past a whitewashed farmhouse with picnic tables outside. After paddling in the cool waters, be sure to settle down on the nearby picnic benches and soak up the calming sounds of the waterfall. / Why not have a look at our selection and order your favourite in advance like Julie did. Though wild swimming requires no memberships, clubs and swimming groups around the UK also saw a surge in interest during the pandemic. You can reach the winding reservoir from the nearby car park or via the circular walks that pass by. Looks onto the Island of Eigg. Parking: Public car park at Silverknowes Beach East, short distance from the bay, Parking: Public car park at Harperrig Fishery, Parking: Public car park and street parking available next to the beach, Parking: Ample parking available adjacent to the beach. Its shocking even to me that Ive never been to Loch Ard! Most locations will be quiet, secluded and peaceful. The glen is fairly low-lying so it makes for an easy walk up to the waterfalls. Learn more about responsible tourism and "treading lightly" in nature on the Visit Scotland website. GPS coordinates: 57.32285, -4.42438 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. 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. A dramatic glen with perfect river pools running very close to road. Located 25 miles off the coast of Land's End, all of Scilly's islands are stunning. 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 the full list of swimming safety tips here. If you dont mind the crowds and on lookers it is a great place to take a dip. 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. A hike along Glen Rosa valley is an easy alternative to huffing and puffing up Goatfell on a sunny day. You might also like: A practical guide for snorkelling in Scotland. contact the editor here. Loch Lubnaig Loch Lubnaig, which means elbow in Gaelic, near. 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! Its shallow parts provide a great place for beginners to paddle the day away. When it comes to places with amazing waterfalls, Scotland is hard to beat! Readers can receive a 20% discount and free P&P with code calmac at Wild Things Publishing. We are delighted to be able to bring you a variety of sessions which aim to accommodate all levels of Wild Swimmer. Based in Portobello, Edinburgh, we offer swimming lessons and supervised swims at locations around the Lothians. Wild Swimming - Scotland www.wildthingspublishing.com/product/wild-guide-scotland-book/, 2011 - 2014 Wild Swimming Community Contributors, Captcha VerificationCaptcha Verification Word Verification. they seem so serene! As for Higher Glen Etive A series of three falls and three pools set in quick succession by roadside. THENational has compiled a list of wild swimming spots dotted around Scotland, with something for every kind of swimmer. 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. Suitable for: Families. Soon youll come across the Linn Falls clearing, and will be met with thunderous sounds of the waterfall! What is e-biking, and is it right for you? Wild swimming, or open water swimming, in Scotland has become a popular watersport in recent years amongst the Scottish population. 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. 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! The vibrant colours and clearness of the waters may seem attractive, but the temperatures are often very low. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Isle of Skye's SECRET FAIRY POOLS - Wild Swimming Scotland (Vanlife UK) Gemma and Campbell | highlands2hammocks 25.8K subscribers 86K views 9 months ago SKYE Get Surfshark VPN at. The Linn Falls are situated a stones throw away from Aberlour and are a great place for open water swimming in Scotland. Wild swimming Scotland: 10 perfect places to stay for those who love going for an outdoor dip. The pool is pretty shallow, making for a family-friendly spot for a dip. It is popular when in spate Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken, Castle Douglas, DG7 4NQ. . 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. Perfect for an afternoon dip. Listen to my conversation about water safety with outdoor swimmer Calum Maclean. Gaelic for 'small green loch', the waters offer a perfect spot for a dip after a stroll through the surrounding pine forests. 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. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. 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. Beat the summer time beach crowds and head north with this guide to making the most of Scotlands underrated waterways. Follow the stream towards the mountain and explore the numerous turquoise pools, small waterfalls and even an underwater stone arch. With all that water, it makes sense that wild swimming in Scotland has caught on, except for the fact that the country is also notorious for challenging weather it averages 100 days of snow per year and no stranger to frigid winters and frequent gale force winds so we were curious to know if there are any special considerations to be taken when it comes to wild swimming in Scotland. This can have symptoms of varying severity from shivering to feeling unwell or even hypothermia. 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. For a short dip, I like to wear a swim suit with neoprene gloves and socks to keep my feet and hands warm. There is nothing quite like dipping into a clear, steady loch, whilst surrounded by Scotland's most beautiful backdrops. Good plunge pools above falls. A sunset dip here is unbeatable. Orkney is a veritable sweet shop for swimmers. Achmelvich is a paradise of multiple small beaches with crystal clear water and pure white sands, nestled amongst the rocky bays of Assynts coastline. She loves to explore mountains on foot, bike, skis and belay and then recover on the the yoga mat. Surrounded by the Ochil Hills in Perthshire is this amazing Scotland wild swimming spot of Castlehill Reservoir. Jump in or take a dook in the pool. Julia Clarke is a staff writer for Advnture.com and the author of the bookRestorative Yoga for Beginners. Tide goes out 0.2 miles. 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. GPS coordinates:56.18556, -4.47453 This spot is backed by the Loch Ard Forest and feels very secluded, though it is often a lively spot during the summer months. 10 of the best places for wild swimming in Scotland Wild swimming is enjoying a surge in popularity in Scotland as people seek out new experiences and the basic, invigorating joy of. 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. 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