The photos and information on this page are the most recent NEW “swim spots” ie ones I haven’t been to before (over time the older ones on this page will be transferred to the main Gazetteers).
Wild Swimming Season 2023
Plenty of “swims” so far this year, but I waited till a trip to an “lido” in Glen Lyon (Scotland) for my first NEW swim spot of the year.
Loch Eas Domhain (Glen Tarken near St Fillans, Perthshire)
Location
- Its a walk! You can park on the A85 near Woodhouse on the other side of the road from Loch Earn. Follow the path/track into Glen Tarken, then come off this across Meall Reamhar and navigate to the Loch
Grid Ref
- NN6630/2907
Features
- Deep water near the short on the north side of the Loch
Hazards
- None really
Date of Last Swim
- 22nd May 2023
Lochan na Creige Ruaidhe (Glen Tarken near St Fillans, Perthshire)
Location
- Its a walk! You can park on the A85 near Woodhouse on the other side of the road from Loch Earn. Follow the path/track into Glen Tarken, then come off this across Meall Reamhar and navigate to the Loch
Grid Ref
- NN6791/2909
Features
- Plenty deep enough for a good swim
Hazards
- But not as deep as it looks (fake silty bottom!!). Surprisingly sharp stones around shoreline.
Date of Last Swim
- 22nd May 2023
Unamed Lochan (near Lochan nan Corp, Ben Ledi, Stirlingshire)
Location
- Approx 1.6km north of the summit of Ben Ledi and c. 100m north of Lochan nan Corp.
Grid Ref
- NN 5594/1179
Features
- Easy access and views to the east down to Loch Lubnaig (except in the fog!!)
Hazards
- Nothing other than the obvious (the Lochan is at c. 600m)
Date of Last Swim
- 21st May 2023
Lochan nan Corp (Ben Ledi, Stirlingshire)
Location
- Approx 1.5km north of the summit of Ben Ledi is this excellent swim spot for cooling down
Grid Ref
- NN 5588/1129
Features
- Easy access and almost views to the east down to Loch Lubnaig
Hazards
- Nothing other than the obvious (the Lochan is at c. 600m)
Date of Last Swim
- 17th April 2023
Pond near Balmenoch (Glen Lyon)
Location
- On the south side of Glen Lyon and adjacent to the track near Balemnoch is a (?fishing) pond.
Grid Ref
- NN 6178/4744
Features
- Grassy bank. Shallow and deep (ish) water
Hazards
- n/a
Date of Last Swim
- 14th April 2023
Gleann Da Eig (Glen Lyon)
Location
- One of the tributaries on the south side of the River Lyon to the south of Camusvrachan has been dammed to create an excellent swimming pool. It near the “funny stone” which is apparently famous in this area
Grid Ref
- NN 6076/4579
Features
- Easy access with shallow and deep water.
Hazards
- Obviously don’t swim too close to the dam- just incase
Date of Last Swim
- 14th April 2023
River Lyon (near Kenknock, Glen Lyon)
Location
- Near the small settlement of Bridge of Balgie (which has a tea shop) take the road west along Glen Lyon. This swim spot is on the south side of the road just before Kenknock.
Grid Ref
- NN 5295/4383
Features
- Grass bank
Hazards
- Visible from the road and, presumably, fisher people when in season
Date of Last Swim
- 12th April 2023
River Lyon (near Cashlie, Glen Lyon)
Location
- Near the small settlement of Bridge of Balgie (which has a tea shop with a “good swim spot opposite”) take the road west along Glen Lyon. You would be surprised how few “good swim spots” there seemed to be in the River Lyon (its lovely but in the part I examined there are only a few deep enough for a proper swim). This swim spot is on the south side of the road just after you have past Stronuich Reservoir. I crossed the slightly rickety plank bridge as the access looked nice on the south side of the river.
Grid Ref
- NN 2495/4197
Features
- Rickety plank bridge.
Hazards
- Did I mention the Rickety plank bridge!!
Date of Last Swim
- 12th April 2023
LOCH AN DAIMH (Glen Lyon)
Location
- Near the small settlement of Bridge of Balgie (which has a tea shop) take the road west along Glen Lyon, but turn off it near Gallin and take the (even more) minor road as far as you can. You will see a dam and there is a good track on the north side of the Loch
Grid Ref
- NN 4877/4706
Features
- Easy access, a couple of small island half way along and highland cows- what more could you want
Hazards
- Highland cows!
Date of Last Swim
- 11th April 2023
Glen Lyon lido
Well I think it was a lido………..
Location
- In a side valley off Glen Lyon that contains Loch An Daimh. Many of the small streams on the north side of this valley contain small lidos. Of those that I examined, this one seemed to be the largest.
Grid Ref
- NN 51960/4656000
Features
- Easy access (once you reach the 450m contour line), you almost have a view over the dam across the valley and a railing to keep spectators away!
Hazards
- None really (usual caveats apply). Although there was this sign.
Date of Last Swim
- 10th April 2023
Wild Swimming Season 2022
THESE SWIM SPOTS ARE GRADUALLY BEING MOVED TO THE MAIN SWIM PAGES…………
“This summer I went swimming
This summer I might have drowned
But I held my breath and I kicked my feet
And I moved my arms around.”(Loudon Wainwright III, “Swimming Song”, 1973)
[clear]
Blake Mere Mermaid Pool (near Leak)
Location
- Approx 5km NE of Leek on the west edge of the Peak District. Take the B road that does a loop to the east of the A53 and just under 1km north of the Mermaid Pub (RIP) the pool can be found right next to the road.
Grid Ref
- SK040/612
Features
- Right by side of the road but slightly hidden from view, but you get good views from the water (weather permitting) to the west. Easy access but you do have to ignore some signs.
Hazards
- Warnings of it being MOD land (technically thats just to the north) and submerged objects. As ever you need to be careful but my feet didn’t catch any.
Date of Last Swim
- 20th November 2022
Loch Fraing (Isle of Mull)
Location
- Near Carsaig on the south coast of Mull. Take the minor road off the A849 from Pennyghael and park where you can before the road descends to Carsaig. Then take the “track” which is just about visible as it zig zags across the hillside to the loch
Grid Ref
- NM5441/2254
Features
- Great location with views over the sea to south of Mull. Almost an infinity pool with a view over to Jura (but you don’t quite get the view when you are in the water).
Hazards
- None really, but alot shallower than it looks (Rowan ascertained that the bottom was 0.5m of silt!)
Date of Last Swim
- 21st July 2022
Barbrook reservoir (Peaks)
Location
- SW of Sheffield on edge of Peaks. Nearest habitation is Peacock Inn at Owler Bar. For shortest walk-in (c. 1km) park on the A621 and follow the path.
Grid Ref
- SK2767/7616
Features
- Easy access from the south side and plenty of deep water.
Hazards
- Former reservoir probably for Chesterfield and does still have an outflow but its very shallow in that area so low risk. The only other hazard is the odd swimming dog….
Date of Last Swim
- 30th May 2022
Wild Swimming Season 2021
Wild Swimming Season 2020
For obvious reasons, 2020 wasn’t very good for travelling and finding new swim spots………………
Once upon a time in pre-Covid days (2019)
This summer (well early April) I went swimming (in Loch na h-Oidhche)
this summer (no, it was definitely April), I might have drowned (but fortunately didn’t as there was a G&T waiting for me)
but I held my breath (not by choice but because it was a bit nippy)
and I kicked my feet (to try to keep warm)
and I moved my arms around (see above)
moved my arms around (see above)
(Loudon Wainwright III, Swimming Song)
Once upon a time in pre-Covid days (2018)
All previous years “New Swim Spots” have now been added to the main pages by country/region/river/area