"WILD" SWIMMING SEASON 2010
"This summer I went swimming
this summer I might have drowned (in Loch Rog Beag on Lewis, or in the Witches Cauldron near Fort William)
but I held my breath
and I kicked my feet
and I moved my arms around
moved my arms around."
(Loudon Wainwright III, Swimming Song)
WHAT THIS PAGE ABOUT DIGGER?
Rather than update the Gazetteers every time I find a NEW "swim" in 2010, I'll put details and photos on this web page.
CLICK HERE for the bare necessities of wild swimming
CLICK HERE to go straight to the Big Gazetteer
As is"tradition " the swim season 2010 started at Easter in Scotland, the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, infact. New swims will be added very soon.
COMING SOON.....due to never-ending discoveries of fantastic swim spots the Scotland gazeteer will soon be moved out of the Non-England page to one of its own..............COMING SOON
Holy Pool (and River Fillan), nr Tyndrum, SCOTLAND
(A FOUR plus TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- tbc. Adjacent to A82 and track to Wigwam place just south of Tyndrum. It is signposted once you get away from the main road.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- According to the information sign in the old days the sick were immersed into the pool and had to perform some weird rituals. Best thing is that its adjacent to the A82 and next to the WigWam/camping site.
HAZARDS:
- Presumably on a busier day the pool is full of sick people!
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Falls with no name (*tbc*), nr Tyndrum, SCOTLAND
(A FOUR plus TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- tbc. In the WigWam place off the A82 just south of Tyndrum. Follow the signs but you will have to climb over a fence and scramble down to the swim.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Water fall in narrow gorge with sufficient water for a bit of a swim. Best thing is that its next to the WigWam/camping site.
HAZARDS:
- Probably only swimable in the summer.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Falls of Falloch, nr Crianlarich, SCOTLAND
(A FIVE plus TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- Located adjacent to the A82 c. 6km southwest of Crianlarich. There is a car park on the south side of the road but its not signposted very well. From there follow the main path to the Falls.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Large pool with easy access from south and good depth for swimming. You can (just) get behind the waterfall (at least in the summer).
HAZARDS:
- The biggest hazard for me were some lads from Glasgow jumping in from all sides!
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Falls of Leny, nr Callander, SCOTLAND
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- Located adjacent to the A84 c. 3km west of Callander. Access is best from the south bank where a former railway is a right of way. You can park c. 1km to the west or c. 2km to the southeast. The best/only/safest swim is (obviously) downstream of the Falls.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Large pool with good depth so plenty of room for a swim with the added excitement of fast flowing water nearer the Falls.
HAZARDS:
- The pool was fine in the summer when I visited but will be very different at other times of the year. The narrow nature of the river around the Falls suggests there will never be a safe time to swim in this area.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
LOCH with no name (*tbc*), nr Aberfoyle, SCOTLAND
(A THREE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- Situated in Loch Ard Forest c. 4km west of Aberfoyle. Park in the woodland car parks to the west of the village of Milton where there are information maps showing the various paths/trails.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Lovely woodland setting and shallow so pretty warm.
HAZARDS:
- In the summer the swim area is restricted to the eastern end. Watch out for underwater twigs and branches.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
River With no name (*tbc*), nr Braemar, SCOTLAND
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- Park in the car park located about 3km south of Braemar adjacent to the A93 where it passes over the first river.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Pool large enough for a quick swim this small waterfall. Although the main feature is that you can park and be in the water in seconds!
HAZARDS:
- Stones surprisingly slippery.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Downstream of LINN OF DEE, SCOTLAND
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- Park in the car park for the Linn (see below). The swim is about 500m downstream of the Linn.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Large pool with sufficient depth for reasonable swimming.
HAZARDS:
- In places narrows and shallows unexpectedly.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
LINN OF DEE, SCOTLAND
(A FIVE TRUNK plus location)
LOCATION:
- About 9km to the west of Braemar. Follow the minor road out of the latter to the only place it crosses the river. There is parking about 200m past the bridge.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- With a rock gorge with fast and slow flowing water (in August).
HAZARDS:
- I guess you would die if you tried to swim here in the winter.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Quite simply, river swimming at its best. >
LUI WATER, SCOTLAND
(A THREE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- About 8km to the west of Braemar but you have to follow minor road out of the latter all the way round the valley. Follow the path which starts from the minor road about 1km east of the Linn of Dee (where there is good parking).
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Several small (in August) waterfalls with pools in great setting.
HAZARDS:
- Not quite enough water (in August) for a proper swim.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
The Punch Bowl. LINN OF QUOICH, SCOTLAND
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- About 3km to the west of Braemar but you have to follow minor road out of the latter all the way round the valley (or you could cut through Mar Lodge if you are on foot). Park in the car park and follow the east side of the river and pick your spot.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Several fantastic pools in woodland setting with one in a mini-gorge.
HAZARDS:
- In places was quite fast flowing and we visited in August.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
STAFFORDSHIRE
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- TBC (but its near a pub!)
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Lovely valley setting, steam railway, canal and did I mention the pub. Could you ask for more?!!
HAZARDS:
- TBC (someone said something about a weir).
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Blea Tarn, near Langdale, The Lakes
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- Situated to south of Langdale and east of Wrynose Fell. Small car park or Parking on typical Lake District tiny windy road.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Fabulous setting with easy woodland access from the west side of lake and grassland to the south. The photo above was taken from the south with a four-year old prospective outdoor swimmer (that the person on the right!).
HAZARDS:
- Watch out for weeds and more importantly branches at bottom of lake.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
CLICK HERE to see this swim in the gazeteer
Sheriff Muir, Nr Dunblane (near Stirling)
(A FOUR TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- Best to follow instructions in Daniel Starts book as although not far from Dunblane or Stirling does involve little roads. But note there is now no "no litter" sign, but there are "no swimming" signs to let you know you have found the right spot!!
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- This is an excellent plunge pool i.e good fun but not much good for swimming. You can slide down the small waterfall and your backside is protected by moss!
HAZARDS:
- None really, although there are signs warning of Lyme disease!
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
The Witches Cauldron, Nr Spean Bridge (just north of Fort William)
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- This is a handy stop off if you are driving up the A82 north of Fort William. Turn off just after the Commando Monument onto the B8004 then turn left along the B8005, after 3km there is a bridge and adjacent car park. Just follow the signs..
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- I guess the main thing to say is that you can park and be in the water in a matter of seconds. The waterfalls are impressive and there is plenty of room for swimming.
HAZARDS:
- There were a few submerged trees/branches so watch out (although they are quite handy for standing on if you want a rest- see below). When I went in the current was quite strong inevitably increasing near the waterfall.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Loch Rog Beag, Isle of Lewis
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- If you are staying in Scaliscro house (as we were) this is literally at the bottome of the garden. Otherwise just park somewhere on the narrow road to Scaliscro and cross the fields to the loch.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Plenty deep enough for a real swim and Well, if you are staying in Scaliscro house (as we were), you have an excellent entry ramp. Once in the setting is ideallic and we even had a boat to swim round/rescue us.
HAZARDS:
- None really, although someone told us to hug the land but I think that was a sailing term!
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Caolas an Scarp, near Huisinis, Isle of Harris
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
LOCATION:
- Park at the car park with the loos by Bagh Huisinis and follow coastal path northwards to the secret beach.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Ok this is really the sea, well a channel between Harris and Scarp, but what a setting. Not just fabulous beaches but its the scene of the infamous rocket mail that was an experimental postal service for the Island of Scarp!!
HAZARDS:
- When the tide is coming in the currents can be a little difficult (because they are coming from two different directions)
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Abhainn Dhubh Bheag, near Carnai, Isle of Lewis
(A TWO TRUNK location due to limited extent of swim)
LOCATION:
- Park at the car park with the loos on Traigh Uige beach. The river is to the north and east. You can't miss it.
GRID REF:
FEATURES:
- Great setting next to the world class Uige Beach. The lower part of the river becomes part of the sea at high tide.
HAZARDS:
- Depending on where you go in its not great for swimming but still a fantastic setting.
DATE OF MOST RECENT VISIT:
Wild swimming season 2010 started badly with lots of snow and some ponds frozen over. As indicated by the photo below these conditions are not great for swimming.
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