NEW Wild Swims
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’s This Page About Digger?
Rather than update the Gazetteers every time I find a NEW “swim” I’ll put details and photos on this web page.
Wild Swimming Season 2012
NEWFLASH………..NEWSFLASH………… Icy and snowy conditions across Britain means season not started yet!!!!
Wild Swimming Season 2011 (new swims)
Yes. The wild swimming season 2011 started in a (very large) bath tub at Glensheil Lodge.
Only joking! It might have been a “bit wet” but as is tradition the outdoor swimming season started for me in Scotland. Not in a bath tub but in Loch Iain Oig (see details below).
Caerleon, South Wales
(A TWO TRUNK location)
Location
This swim is located in the “Lost City of the Legion” (thats just outside Caerleon Roman fortress, north of Newport). Its signposted from the M4 (thats the Roman fortress not the swim and don’t be confused by the signs to Roman baths!)
Grid ref
ST338/902
Features
Well, where else (in Britain) can you swim next to 2000 year old Roman walls?
Hazards
Without any doubt this is the safest place to swim in the tidal waters of the River Usk. Watch out for nails and strings left by 21st century archaeology students! And its a bit muddy!!
Date of swim
31st September 2011
Youlgreave, Peaks
(A TWO TRUNK location)
Location
tbc
Grid ref
tbc
Features
Hazards
Date of swim
10th July 2011
Loup of Fintry, Scotland(A THREE TRUNK location)
Location
To be honest I’m not to sure as Steve took me there. I think its the waterfall on the Endrick Water c. 4km east of Fintry (maybe 20km west of Stirling). Its signposted off the road (B818?) and only a few hundred metres walk.
Grid ref
NS660/861
Features
Lovely setting and quite unexpected view of falls after only walking 10m from the road. Only limited room for a swim but a great terrace-like setting.
Hazards
Bit of a climb to get down to and I guess when the river is in full flow it would be quite challenging to attempt a swim.
Date of swim
10th April 2011
River Shiel, Scotland
(A FIVE TRUNK PLUS location)
Location
On the south side of the A87 near the Battle of Glen Sheil sign. Park in the lay-by, cross the road and the pool should be visible immediately.
Grid ref
Ng 993/132
Features
Easy parking, lovely pool with fast and slow water, adjacent historic battlefield and wonderful setting. What more could you ask for?
Hazards
None really (well unless you count French tourists looking for the battle site, and getting quite a sight!)
Date of Last Swim
9th April 2011
Loch Coire nan Crogachan, Shiel Bridge, Scotland
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
Park off the A87 at Sheil Bridge. Walk up the “corbett” known as Sgurr Mhic Bharraich and its the biggest bit of water up there.
Grid ref
Ng 920/164
Features
You are half way up a mountain which on good days has fantastic views. What more could you ask for?
Hazards
None really! I suppose it would be cold in the winter.
Date of Last Swim
9th April 2011
Alit Undalain, Shiel Bridge, Scotland(A FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
Off the A87 at Sheil Bridge. Park on the deadend road to the old bridge near the campsite and Post Office
Grid ref
Ng 937/188
Features
Easy parking and access to the pool which is below the old Shiel Bridge.
Hazards
None really (well unless the rivers full then it tends to be fast flowing with large trees in it!)
Date of Last Swim
8th April 2011
Loch na Leitreach, nr Kintail, Scotland
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
Park near the Camus-luine bunkhouse (at end of minor road from A87 on north side of Loch Long near Dornie which has the nice castle)
Grid ref
NH 013/270
Features
Fantastic setting and not far from the Falls of Glomach.
Hazards
None really.
Date of Last Swim
8th April 2011
Loch Iain Oig, nr Kyle of Lochalsh, Scotland
(A FOUR plus TRUNK location)
Location
Take the B road off the A87 about 5km east of Kyle of Lochalsh. Go through the village called Balmacara Square (which has a nice pond-tempting!) about 400m after the junction with the minor road which goes to Sheldaig park on right and the loch is next to you.
Grid ref
NG 793/293
Features
Easy parking. Easy access. Close to Kyle of Lochalsh.
Hazards
None really.
Date of Last Swim
6th April 2011
The 2010 Wild Swimming Season (new swims)
The 2010 wild swimming season started badly with lots of snow and some ponds frozen over. These conditions, as indicated by the photo below, are not great for swimming…
As is “tradition” the swim season 2010 finally started at Easter in Scotland – the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides.
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
tbc
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 Last Swim
8th August 2010
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
tbc
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 Last Swim
8th August 2010
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
NN 338/208
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 Last Swim
8th August 2010
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
NN 595/088
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 Last Swim
7th August 2010
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
NN 484/007
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 Last Swim
5th August 2010
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
NO 156/882
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 Last Swim
5th August 2010
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
NO 067/898
Features
Large pool with sufficient depth for reasonable swimming.
Hazards
In places narrows and shallows unexpectedly.
Date of Last Swim
4th August 2010
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
NO 063/897
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 Last Swim
4th August 2010
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
NO 067/900
Features
Several small (in August) waterfalls with pools in great setting.
Hazards
Not quite enough water (in August) for a proper swim.
Date of Last Swim
3rd August 2010
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
NO 113/916
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 Last Swim
2nd August 2010
Staffordshire
(A FIVE TRUNK location)
Location
TBC (but its near a pub!)
Grid Ref
TBC
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 Last Swim
11th July 2010
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
NY 293/044
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 Last Swim
1st August
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
NN819011
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 Last Swim
11th April 2010
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
NN176/889
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 Last Swim
10th April 2010
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
NB133/272
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 Last Swim
9th April 2010
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
NA998/146
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 Last Swim
9th April 2010
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
NB045/336
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 Last Swim
4th April 2010
