Wild Swim - Isle of Skye
Join Large Outdoors as we spend five days journeying through the Scottish Highlands on our way to the Isle of Skye. Along the way, we’ll swim in some of the best lochs, glens, and secret pools the Scottish Highlands have to offer. We'll pick you up in Glasgow and include all your travel and accommodation, making this trip open to beginners and experienced wild swimmers alike.
Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 5 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 8
Level: You’ll need to be a confident swimmer, but outdoor swimming experience is not required
Meeting Location: Glasgow
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs
In a Nutshell:
Swim in some of Scotland’s finest lochs, rivers, pools and coastal bays.
Revel in the ‘secret’ swimming spots that Large Outdoors has discovered on the Isle of Skye.
Feel reassured by swimming in a group led by an expert guide.
Enjoy a host of other activities – castle visits, wildlife boat trip, snorkelling and peaceful walks.
Relish spending time in great company.
How do we grade our walks?
Wild swimming & socialising, surrounded by fantastic Scottish scenery, focusing on the magnificent Isle of Skye!
The Isle of Skye is like a box of chocolates for wild swimming fans, given the huge variety of waterways, including some of the quietest bays and remotest coves, where it’s possible to take the plunge, all with beautifully scenic backdrops!
For this 6-day trip we have made the Isle of Skye our destination but with stops on route to experience some other fine swimming spots where snapshots of beaches are often mistaken for those in the Caribbean and where inland lochs are bordered by spectacular mountains.
We’ve tailored the itinerary to include shorter swims in a number of interesting and beautiful locations rather than long-distance swimming challenges. Therefore as long as you’re a confident swimmer, you’ll have a great time - and you don’t necessarily need outdoor swimming experience.
Then there’s plenty of time for other adventures – a wildlife-packed boat trip, snorkelling, visits to historic castles, peaceful walks, whisky sampling… oh, and a hefty dose of laughter along the way!
An idea of a typical day:
Although our exact itinerary will depend on the tides, weather and the abilities of the group, generally most days will start with breakfast in the hostel before we pack up our lunch.
Our first swim of the day is normally the longest and we will head to a local loch or remote coastal beach. Afterwards, we will seek out a local café to warm up before we head out to another spot, either for a dip or a swim, whichever is suitable at that location. Please note, there is no pressure for any member of the group to do every dip and swim – just do as much as you want to and feel free to skip a session and simply sit and enjoy the scenery or have a walk instead.
After the day’s final swim, we will return to the hostel, shower and freshen up before the group goes out for an evening meal (which is not included in the price).
Enjoying the view whilst swimming on the Isle of Skye
Suggested Itinerary
Please note the itinerary below gives a brief outline of how we’ll spend each day. The locations may vary as we will alter the itinerary depending on the weather, tides and the group.
Day 1
We will collect you from Glasgow around 10am (full Pickup details below - please see the Meeting Location & Time section).
From here we head a few hours out of Glasgow and stop for our first dip. Before taking the plunge, we’ll run you through the safety rules, check wetsuits and ensure everybody feels comfortable in the water.
From here, we get back into the minibus and venture deeper into the Highlands, admiring the scenery as the mountains become loftier and more spectacular by the time we reach our overnight stop.
Day 2
Arisaig is one of our popular stop-off points as the coastline here is known as Scotland’s answer to the Caribbean with stunning white sandy beaches on the mini islands exposed at low tide and shallow crystal clear turquoise water.
From the village we can ‘island-hop’ during our morning swim, most likely only sharing the waters with just a few kayakers and inquisitive seals.
We’ll be taking plenty of breathers along the way to just soak up the moment, watching the sea birds or, if we’re lucky, catching sight of an otter or sea eagle.
After this swim, we hop on the ferry over to our favourite and most popular location – the magical Isle of Skye.
Just one of our potential swim spots
Day 3 - 5
From our hostel on the Isle of Skye we spend the next three days sharing some of our ‘secret’ finds for wild swimming and snorkelling – including coastal locations where calm seas gently wash up onto coral beaches and rivers carving their way through beautiful glens. On one of the days, and depending on the weather, we will catch the thrilling Bella Jane boat over to Loch Coruisk - a freshwater loch at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountain range that takes remoteness up a notch. Here we have the option of swimming in the serene dark waters of this mountain amphitheatre with tea and cake on offer in between swims.
Day 6
Today we have to return to Glasgow, but before the long journey back we give you one final opportunity for a swim before packing up and driving back to the city.
We can drop you in Glasgow city centre or at the airport, with the aim to be back there by 5pm. Please book onward travel accordingly, to allow for flexibility with the return time to the city centre or airport - we do allow for some stops on the journey, but we (sadly!) can’t control the traffic.
Good to Know
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Meeting Time: from 10am - please see Pickup options below.
Pickups (Day 1): When booking you can let us know which of the two Pickup locations below you’d like to be collected from.
Glasgow City Centre (Hotel) 10am at the ibis Styles, Glasgow Central, 116 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 7DN. Please note: a discount code for this hotel is available if you plan to stay in Glasgow the night before/after the trip - details will be shown on your booking confirmation email.
Glasgow International Airport 10:15am at the Pick-up & Drop-off area located outside the main terminal building in Car Park 2.Returning to Glasgow (Day 6): We aim to be back in Glasgow around 5pm and can drop you back in the city centre or at the airport. Please book onward travel accordingly, to allow for flexibility with the return time to the city centre or airport - we do allow for some stops on the journey, but we (sadly!) can’t control the traffic.
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We will stay at a couple of different hostels on this trip, as we move around the Scottish Highlands and explore the Isle of Skye.
Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel (as well as a separate swim towel) and don’t forget your own toiletries.
Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room (shared bathroom)Rooms at the hostels we’ll stay at are mainly Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - usually with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared). There are also some Twin Rooms - usually with bunk beds - which sleep up to two participants booking together (bathrooms are shared with other rooms).
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Please see our Wild Swimming Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should have the items listed.
WETSUIT: Although we appreciate many people skin dip and prefer to spend time in cold water without a wetsuit, a wetsuit is essential on this trip for a number of reasons.
On most days we will be doing 3-5 dips - the cumulative effect of the cold means you will get colder throughout the day and without a wetsuit may end up missing chances to swim.
Wetsuits provide extra protection too - the Scottish seas have jellyfish, rough rocks, barnacles etc. There will be plenty of chances to skin dip over this trip, but it is essential to have a wetsuit with you if you wish to make the most of the trip.
You can read our blog on exactly why we insist on wetsuits here.Please note that you must have your own wetsuit as we are unable to lend you one. If you need any advice on the best type of wetsuit to purchase ahead of this trip, please feel free to explore this Blog post.
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Although you will need to be a confident swimmer, you do not need to be long-distance swimmer by any means. You do not need to have prior experience of wild or outdoor swimming.
We are not aiming to swim miles, instead enjoying a greater number of more leisurely wild swims, where you can really take in the views and scenery and appreciate being immersed in the natural world. We will not be heading into open water.
If you want to sit a swim out as well your more than welcome to stay in the minibus or enjoy the local scenery whilst we swim.
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Included:
Pickup service from Glasgow - see the Meeting Location & Time section above - and transportation for the duration of the trip, including ferry ticket to the Isle of Skye.
5 nights’ hostel accommodation.
A Large Outdoors host/wild swimming guide to welcome you and deal with the logistics for your experience.
6 days of guided dips and swims as we travel through the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye.
A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Days 2-5.
Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.
Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.
The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not Included:
Travel to and from the meeting location.
Wetsuit hire - you must bring your own!
Dinner each evening - we’ll book a table at a local restaurant to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.
Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
Alcoholic drinks - there will be opportunities to pick up some local tipples if desired.
Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
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• What level of fitness is needed?
You’ll need to be a confident swimmer, but outdoor swimming experience is not required. There will be some walking too, to get to our swim spots from where we park - the ground we cover here may be uneven with some slippery/rocky parts.• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian, vegan, provide meals with gluten free ingredients* and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.• What transport is provided during this trip?
We offer a Pickup service (see Meeting Location & Time section above) and transport throughout, with transfers from the accommodation to the activity start points and back.• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this trip, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog on an experience, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary. -
“Just want to say I had a wonderful holiday and met a great bunch of people. Stunning locations to swim and the ability to step out of a busy lifestyle. Great to have someone else taking the responsibility for everything. Our guide was a fount of knowledge and it was great to experience swims that I would never have done otherwise. Felt safe and appreciated all the research that had been done for each location. Especially liked that we didn’t go where the crowds flock.” Karen
“The whole experience exceeded my expectations. I cannot speak highly enough of the quality of the organisation and delivery of this break. It was such a joy to be in the care of such an experienced, skilled group leader whose attention to detail was of the highest standard - both in terms of the swimming opportunities and in the overall arrangements for the week. The care and attention to detail of every aspect of the trip was really impressive. I feel incredibly lucky to have booked with Large Outdoors - thank you.” Verified participant
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