Winter Wild Swimming Guidance in Lochs and Rivers
For many of us, inland wild swimming doesn’t stop when the temperature drops—it simply changes. Winter swimming can be deeply
For water lovers Scotland is a dream with fresh water lochs at every turn. More than 30,000 of them, in fact — some little lochans tucked up neatly in the middle of a forest, others vast and world-famous. Together they form a glittering patchwork across the landscape, from limestone-sparkling marl lakes to brown-stained dubh lochans nestled in the peat. No two are the same.
Our lochs are shaped by ancient ice, geology, and myth. Some are long and winding, others fjord-like or bowl-shaped. Scotland’s “Big Four” — Loch Lomond (biggest surface area), Loch Morar (deepest), Loch Ness (most voluminous), and Loch Awe (longest) — dominate the stats. But it’s the variety, the sense of wildness, and the stories tied to even the smallest lochans that make Scotland’s freshwater treasures truly magical.
And as if we didn’t know Scotland is all about its water, five of our largest lochs – Lochs Awe, Lomond, Morar, Ness and Shiel – together hold about a third of all the water held in lochs in Scotland. In fact Loch Ness contains more water then than all the English & Welsh lakes together.
Some lochs are glass-clear marl lakes, sitting quietly on Durness limestone and home to rare flora and Arctic charr. Others, like dystrophic dubh lochans, are steeped in dark peaty waters that barely let light in. In the Western Isles and Northern Isles, sea spray drifts into lochs making them more fertile than their inland sisters. And, in a country of lochs, only one dares call itself a “lake” — the curious Lake of Menteith (although also known as Loch Innis Mo Cholmaig). Well that is not strictly true , there are some man made lakes which have been named so on private estates such as the Lake of the Hirsel
I’ve been lucky enough to dip, swim, and wander by many of Scotland’s lochs. It is so hard to choose which are my favourite so i am not going to try, but here are 10 I’ve have enjoyed for different reasons — each one with its own mood, its own beauty, and a story to tell.
Tucked deep into the Black Cuillin on the Isle of Skye, Loch Coruisk feels like entering a prehistoric amphitheatre. Getting there was an adventure in itself — we took a boat organised by Swim Wild and walked in with stags watching from the slopes. The loch lies silent beneath jagged peaks, unreachable by road, and utterly unforgettable.
A narrow, elegant loch on the edge of Rannoch Moor. We took the train from Rannoch to Corrour — the UK’s highest station — and stepped into another world. It’s peaceful, remote, and surrounded by nothing but mountains and sky. We entered the loch down steps handily placed by the youth hostel — a rare moment of civility in an otherwise wild landscape.
Seen from the Glenfinnan Monument, Loch Shiel stretches away like a Norwegian fjord. It’s a loch of legends — Bonnie Prince Charlie sailed its length to raise the Jacobite standard. Eilean Mhic Dhomnuill Dhuibh, a small island, once hid rebels after Culloden. Today, it’s easy to access and swim — but you feel the weight of history with every ripple, and the weight of the tourists’ eyes as they peer down from the monument above.
Our local loch, set high in the Borders, gazes down a valley towards Moffat. It’s steeped in stories, next to Tibbie Shiel’s Inn — once frequented by James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd. There’s a fabulous little café (open in season), an easy car park, and straightforward access to the loch — though do watch the drop-off when entering the water.
High in Glen Trool in Galloway Forest Park, this loch hides behind a short woodland walk. It’s a place of reflection and revolution — Robert the Bruce won a battle here in 1307. Bruce’s Stone stands above the north shore, and the dark skies overhead add to the sense of remoteness. An easy walk from the car park along a well-established path gets you to the loch — remote, but not unreachable.
At first glance, Loch Chon looks small and safe, cradled by hills and woods. But then it twists round a corner, stretching much further than expected. The name means “Loch of the Dog” — and it’s got bite. Sharp drop-offs, 23m deep, and a deceptive calm. Watch the sudden drop-off when entering the water, and note that parking is very limited — best to get there early if you want a peaceful swim.
You could drive right past this little lochan on your way to Glencoe and never know it. Tucked off the road, it’s perfect for a quick dip — though entry is very silty, and you’ll end up with muddy feet. Parking is limited, although there’s more space available across the road if needed. The floating water lilies and peaty water give it a sleepy, tea-stained kind of magic.
Also known as the Green Loch, this enchanted water glows emerald under the trees of Glenmore Forest. Some say the colour comes from algae. Others say it’s the fairies, washing their clothes. Either way, it feels utterly magical. The walk up is gentle, and the loch greets you like a spell.
A loch with its own beach — and not just any beach. This is the highest beach in the UK, often framed by snow-topped Cairngorms. But the real twist? The sand holds wartime glass, from when the area was a commando training ground for Norwegian resistance fighters. A place of beauty, history, and great coffee (in season!).
Ten miles long, deep and serene, Loch Rannoch is both majestic and approachable. You’ll find spots to pull in, swim, and explore without a soul in sight. The Clan Trail offers stories of outlaws and crannogs, and the water invites you in gently. A loch to fall in love with, slowly and completely.
There’s no such thing as “just another loch” in Scotland. Whether they’re hidden in the peat, dancing with lilies, wrapped in legend or sparkling like glass, each one has its own rhythm. Swimming in them — or just sitting beside them — is a way to feel Scotland’s bones, its stories, and its soul.
If you’ve not been to some of these lochs yet, I hope this tempts you to explore them. And if you have — then you know just how special they are.
For many of us, inland wild swimming doesn’t stop when the temperature drops—it simply changes. Winter swimming can be deeply
I reached out to the pals I swim with as the magic of water resonates with so many people and
I asked my swim buddy to share with me his experience of cold water dipping and what I received was