Event Reports

A magical weekend of wild swimming, saunas, yoga, campfires and community in the Scottish Highlands

After a break of a few year, the SwimWild Highland Gathering finally returned this May, and honestly, I was a little nervous. The SwimWild Highland Gathering was actually the very first official SwimWild event I ever ran back in 2017, and over the years it has slowly evolved into something rather special. So after a fairly extended maternity pause, this spring felt like the right time to finally bring it back.

This year we moved the gathering into May for the first time (in the past it has been in the Autumn), creating a Spring wild swimming festival based at the wonderfully eccentric Inshriach Estate in the Cairngorms National Park.

And what a weekend it turned out to be!

You can find more information about the SwimWild Highland Gathering here.

A mini wild swimming festival in the Scottish Highlands

Set amongst the forests, rivers and lochs of the Cairngorms National Park, the weekend combines guided wild swimming adventures, sauna sessions, yoga, delicious local food, campfires, music and plenty of time to simply relax and connect with other swimmers.

Inshriach itself is the perfect setting for something like this. Quirky, atmospheric and full of character.

Some people stayed in the wonderfully eccentric Edwardian house. Others camped in the fields or stayed in glamping cabins tucked away on the estate. Throughout the weekend people drifted between the riverside sauna, campfires, forest walks and swim spots, wrapped in colourful changing robes and clutching mugs of tea and hot Ribina.

From the very beginning, there was such a lovely atmosphere.

People travelled from all over the UK to join us. We had swimmers from Portsmouth, Surrey, Yorkshire, Orkney and all across Scotland, along with a brilliant little German contingent, including one swimmer who travelled all the way from Germany on her own.

By Friday evening, everyone had gathered around the riverside fire pit and had their first dips in the River Spey, warming up afterwards in the log cabin sauna before tucking into an incredible barbecue prepared by Pauline from Paulipocketeats.

There were local sausages and burgers, huge colourful salads, vegetarian and vegan options, toasted marshmallows over the fire and lots of very happy swimmers.

For me, Friday evening was the moment I finally relaxed and realised it was all actually happening.

Wild swimming in the Cairngorms National Park

Saturday morning began with optional yoga in the heated barn with the wonderful Carrie Wilde, while the non-yogis gathered for one of Pauline’s now legendary breakfasts.

After several days of hail, sleet and rain while setting everything up, the weather finally transformed overnight.

Our first big group swim of the weekend was at Loch Morlich, and honestly, it could not have been more spectacular.

The Cairngorm mountains were dusted with fresh snow. The beach was glowing in the sunshine. The water was crystal clear and perfectly calm.

Watching everyone walk out onto the beach for the first time and take in the view was probably my favourite moment of the entire weekend.

The water temperature was a brisk 9.1°C, so definitely on the chilly side, but the sunshine and still conditions made it feel absolutely magical.

One of the things I love most about these weekends is seeing the brightly coloured tow floats and hats stretching out across the loch while happy chatter echoes across the water.

It is impossible not to smile.

After hot drinks and cake at the Boathouse Café, the group split into smaller guided adventures.

Exploring hidden lochs and forest swim spots

One group headed with me and Samuel up to Lochan na Beinne.

A couple of days earlier, the recce for this swim had involved being battered by sleet and torrential rain while sliding around muddy paths and sitting on plastic bags in the car afterwards because we were so soaked.

Saturday could not have been more different.

We climbed gradually through the heather under bright blue skies before the loch finally revealed itself at the very last moment, tucked amongst the hills.

The swim itself was glorious. Cold, yes, but glorious.

Meanwhile, Kath, Phil and Jeremy guided another group through the  Caledonian Pine forest to the beautiful Green Lochan, famous for its surreal turquoise-green colour and mirror-like reflections.

Others headed to Loch Pityoulish with Fiona and Becca for a relaxed swim.

One of the nicest things about the Highland Gathering is that there is never any pressure to do everything.

Some people chose every adventurous hike and swim possible. Others preferred one morning swim followed by break then sauna sessions, coffee and slow afternoons by the river.

Everyone found their own pace.

Sauna sessions, yoga and lochside relaxation

This year we expanded the sauna offering, with sessions running both at Inshriach and at the beautiful lochside sauna at Loch Alvie.

The Loch Alvie sessions were incredibly popular.

There is something very special about stepping out of a hot sauna straight into a Highland loch surrounded by forest and mountains.

Back at Inshriach, quieter sauna sessions by the River Spey created a lovely contrast, with swimmers drifting between the sauna and river dips throughout the afternoon.

For those who still had energy left, the afternoon yoga session provided a wonderfully cosy reset before the whole group gathered again for our evening swim at Loch an Eilein.

Swimming at Loch an Eilein

Loch an Eilein is one of the most iconic wild swimming spots in the Cairngorms National Park.

After a short walk through the pine forest, we reached the loch with its tiny island castle sitting against a backdrop of snowy hills.

Many of the group swam right around the castle while others enjoyed shorter dips closer to shore.

As always, there was plenty of laughter, lots of bright swim hats bobbing across the water, and a wee bit of shivering whilst trying to get changed afterwards.

A farmyard feast, ceilidh dancing and campfires

Saturday evening ended in the Dutch barn at Inshriach for what quickly became one of the highlights of the weekend.

Pauline somehow managed to produce another spectacular feast for around 50 hungry swimmers and helpers, while Jordan and Ilona provided live music from the stage at the back of the barn.

After dinner, we cleared the tables away for a slightly chaotic but extremely enthusiastic ceilidh.

Jordan expertly talked us through the dances while everyone stumbled around laughing in dry robes and woolly hats.

There were gin and tonics made with Inshriach gin from the estate distillery, lots of dancing, lots of laughter and eventually a return to the fire pits outside for quieter conversations as the light faded.

It was exactly the kind of relaxed, joyful atmosphere I had hoped the weekend would create.

Wild swimming at Loch Insh, the Uath Lochans and Feshiebridge

Sunday morning began much like Saturday, with early yoga, breakfast rolls, pastries, coffee and lots of slightly sleepy swimmers emerging from their beds.

The main swim that morning was at Loch Insh.

Conditions were windier than Saturday, creating some proper Highland chop out on the loch, but thankfully the breeze helped push everyone gently back towards shore.

Some swimmers stayed close to the beach while others swam further out alongside the safety boat.

After warming up with hot drinks at the café, the group split once again.

One adventurous group headed with me up to the Uath Lochans.

The walk to the viewpoint gave us incredible views over the forests and hills before we descended to the loch itself for another wonderfully cold swim.

Although technically warmer than Loch Morlich, the water still had enough bite to make people move fairly quickly afterwards.

Nearby trees became an improvised outdoor changing room covered in colourful robes and towels.

Meanwhile, another group headed to Feshiebridge for a playful river dip, with Neil from the SwimWild team providing a fascinating pre-swim introduction to reading river conditions and water levels.

A relaxed final evening by the River Spey

The final evening of the Highland Gathering was intentionally relaxed.

People drifted between one last sauna session, final river dips and a DIY riverside barbecue while campfires crackled nearby.

Thankfully the rain held off once again.

As the evening went on, some swimmers gradually headed home while others stayed one final night in the house, cabins or tents.

By Monday morning, there were hugs, tired smiles, soggy swim kit hanging everywhere and lots of slightly emotional goodbyes.

And then suddenly it was over.

What people said about the weekend

One of the loveliest parts of the last few days has been reading all the messages, reviews and photos people have shared since the gathering finished.

A few words and phrases have really stayed with me.

“A magical experience.”

“My heart is full.”

“A pure joy.”

“I travelled all the way from Germany and every single mile was worth it.”

“Such a wonderfully organised event with a relaxed, friendly and supportive vibe.”

“The warmth of the whole community made it an unforgettable experience.”

“I left deeply relaxed, inspired and incredibly grateful.”

Honestly, reading messages like these means more than I can properly explain.

One of the things I care about most when creating SwimWild events is building experiences where people feel welcomed, looked after and free to enjoy things at their own pace.

Some people come for the adventure. Some come for the cold water swimming. Some come for the community. Some simply need a weekend outdoors to breathe and reset.

The Highland Gathering somehow manages to become all of those things at once.

You can also find more information about the Highland Gathering here.

Shall we do it all again next year?

After such a special weekend, I think the answer probably has to be yes.

If you would like to join us for a future SwimWild Highland Gathering, or hear about future wild swimming retreats, swim festivals and open water swimming adventures in Scotland, you can register your interest below.

Register your interest for the next SwimWild Highland Gathering

And finally, a huge thank you once again to everyone who came along, helped out, guided swims, carried tables, lit fires, played music, cooked food, took photos and helped create such a wonderful atmosphere.

What a weekend.

Alice ?