I was never the biggest enthusiast of open water swimming, until I moved to Scotland that is. It was just never a big thing in my family and friends. Open water swimming only existed when you were next to a beach, and in 90 degree weather. However, since moving to Scotland and having Angus as a partner, I’ve become more much inclined to plop myself into a cold body of water.
When Angus and I spent a weekend in Lochgilphead with Lorna, we went for a wake-up morning swim at Loch Collie Bharr. Loch Collie Bhar is a loch in the Knapdale Forest, just about 7 miles from Lochgilphead. There, the water was perfectly still and calling for us to go for a swim.
About:
The Knapdale Forest is also the official home of the Scottish Beaver Trail. Its an attractive path with easy to moderate walking trails that go around Loch Collie Bharr and Dubh Loch. This trail aims at reintroducing beavers to Scotland to study their ecology and impact Eurasian beavers have in the Scottish environment. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot them swimming around in the loch!
I joined Lorna and her friends to take a dip into the water, sans wetsuit. The loch was a chilly 14 degrees Celsius. If you asked me whether I was down to swim in 14 degree water a year ago, I would have never thought I’d say yes. Oh, how times have changed! I plunged in, the water refreshing my spirits and waking awakening my body. Lorna and her friends swam to the other side and back, while I, being not so ambitious, swam along the shore.
It started raining soon after we hit the water. That didn’t matter much, considering we were already wet. However, I left my towel and most of my clothes in the car (stupid me!). Instead of getting Angus or someone to fetch my things, I thought, why not get them myself? So I did. In my bathing suit, with my hiking boots on. I think I’ve found the new ‘it’ style.
Where’s another open water swimming place I should go to? What do you think about my new style?
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