Wild swimming is the health and fitness favourite that shows no signs of sinking.
Over the last few years, the popularity of the pastime has continued to grow.
There are lot of places on your doorstep for you to try outdoor swimming – but with sunnier days ahead, there’s nothing like a new recommendation.
We’ve asked local wild swimmers for their favourite swimming spots in Courier country. Is yours on the list?
Here, local swimmers recommend some perfect places in Tayside and Fife you might not have heard of before.
Clunie Loch, Blairgowrie
Diane Kidd from Kirriemuir recommends Clunie Loch and says she often swims with a group there on Saturday and Sunday mornings.
She also used the location for her photography project on the community and camaraderie of wild swimming.
The exhibition is currently on show at Dundee and Angus College’s Gardyne Campus in Dundee.
Reekie Linn waterfall, Alyth
Diane also organises group swims at her favourite spot – Reekie Linn, near Blairgowrie, which has attracted groups of 20 to 30 keen dippers.
There’s a 15 minute walk from the car park to this beautiful spot.
The water tends to be chilly so you might want your neoprene gloves and socks. And, of course, a hot drink for afterwards.
Loch Tay, Aberfeldy
Colleen Blair recommends Loch Tay in Perth & Kinross, a favourite of the Wild Swimming Tayside Facebook group.
She took a dip on Friday morning in the fresh water loch and shared her beautiful picture of the still water.
It’s a dark stretch of water, the largest loch in Perthshire and one of the deepest in Scotland so remember to be safe and practice water safety.
Arbirlot Falls, Angus
Sarah Burness from the East Coast Otters – Cold Water Therapy group says there’s something special about swimming near this beautiful waterfall, situated in the village of Arbirlot,two miles west of Arbroath.
The group swims there most days and love welcoming new people to swim with them.
Broughty Ferry beach
Dundee swimmers and those from further afield choose this popular beach for a dip – often timing their swim to the tides.
Local group Broughty Ferry Selkies chose this as the venue for their International Women’s Day swim.
But remember to watch out for jellyfish!
Cellardyke tidal pool, East Neuk, Fife
Fifer Nora McElhone recommended one of her favourite spots in the Kingdom, Cellardyke tidal pool.
She took a dip on Friday morning and shared the view from the pool on the stunning Fife coastline.
Nora loves the peace and quiet, easy parking and a coffee and crepe from the van nearby after enjoying a swim.
A group from the local community also worked to restore the pool which now has new steps and coathooks.
Silver Sands, Aberdour, Fife
Sarah Wedderburn-Ogilvy loves to take a dip in the sea off this blue flag beach in Fife and has even been joined by her family too on occasion.
There’s the facilities you’d expect from an award-winning facility including a beach front cafe and toilets.
Sarah warns to be mindful of the tide times, avoiding low tide because of sinking sand.
- Where is your favourite place to swim?
Do you have a group or wild-swimming event you’d like us to know about? Let us know in the comments section below.
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