The popularity of wild swimming has skyrocketed in the Cairngorms and it’s no wonder. Our national park has some beautiful places to take a dip – imagine swimming with the mountains with your backdrop.

When you’re staying in Grantown-on-Spey, you’re within easy reach of river, loch and sea, so let’s dive in and get those endorphins pumping!

Key tips for wild swimming

First things first, let’s talk about water safety. Even at the height of summer, the colder water of the Scottish Highlands causes a real risk of cold water shock.

Here’s a few tips:

• Go with a friend – even if they stay on shore to watch you,
• Swim within your capability,
• Wear neoprene boot to protect your feet; gloves are also recommended,
• Do your research – weather, wind, water temperature, entry and exit points,
• Wear a colourful swim cap – make sure you’re visible in the water, and consider a tow float for longer swims,
• Keep it quick, particularly if it’s colder than you’re used to,
• Do not swim in lochs when there is algae bloom,
• Warm up afterwards – get dressed quickly, woolly hat and plenty of layers – and take a flask of something hot!

Where to swim

Visit Scotland, the Outdoor Swimming Society and local swim coach Beyond the Water’s blogs are all good sources of swimming safety information.

Now onto the fun part – where to swim? There are so many options!

The River Spey at Grantown

The mighty river that gives the town its name. For easy entry to the water, head to the wee sandy beach, known locally as The Bathing Pool. You can get there by foot or bike by following Kylintra Burn down to the river, and taking the underpass under the A95 trunk road. Or if you’re travelling by car, look for the parking area off the A95 between the two roundabouts on the south edge of the town.

Lochindorb

This beautiful freshwater loch is a few miles north of Grantown. There’s an island in the middle that supports the ruins of Lochindorb Castle (a castle with a particularly infamous history). It’s a popular place for fishing and birdwatching so you may well spot oystercatchers, ospreys, lapwings and sandpipers. It is also home to black-throated divers and it is an offence to disturb these birds between May and September, when chicks are particularly vulnerable.

To reach Lochindorb, travel north along the A939, winding your way past the Jesus Saves stone. Before the narrow bridge at Dava School House, take the single track road to the left. This will take you to Lochindorb. The largest parking area is at north-east end but there are other laybys along the shoreline.

Loch Garten

A stronghold for visiting ospreys, Loch Garten is also popular with local wild swimmers for its calm waters and stunning views. Here you are surrounded by the ancient Caledonian pine forest that is part of the Abernethy National Nature Reserve.

To reach Loch Garten, head to Nethy Bridge. As you head west along the B970 to Boat of Garten, you’ll see a left-hand turn on the edges of the village. There’s a handy signpost for Loch Garten and Tulloch to guide you. Follow this road for a few miles and the car park for the RSPB’s Osprey Centre will be on the right. There’s also another car park further on, on the left, that provides easy access to the loch.

Loch Morlich

A popular choice for everyone visiting the Cairngorms, this has the distinction of being the highest beach in the UK. And there’s a stunning backdrop – the amazing vista of the Cairngorm Mountains themselves.

Loch Morlich can be reached via the Ski Road from Aviemore to Glenmore. There’s a great parking area beside Loch Morlich Watersports.

Further afield!

Grantown is only a 30 minute drive from Nairn and the Moray Coast. Here you can choose from a wealth of coastal communities. Favourites include Nairn Beach, Findhorn’s lovely pebbly beach and Bow Fiddle Rock at Portknockie.

More resources

Regular visitors to the Cairngorms may wish to join the Cairngorm Wild Swimmers’ private Facebook group. A friendly, welcoming group, its Facebook page provides a means to make social arrangements for swims, training, outings, adventures and expeditions with other like-minded swimmers.

And if reading this has piqued your interest but you’d like to build confidence in the open water, how about booking a half-or full-day guided swim adventure with local wild swimming expert Alice of SwimWild? As anyone who goes wild swimming will tell you, you won’t regret it!

For somewhere to refuel after you swim head into the centre of Grantown and visit one of our lovely cafes, restaurants or bars.