Discovery and Inspiration? It’s All in the Journey…

A guest blog by Emma Simpson

Maps, Stories, and the Spirit of Exploration

This morning, I found myself thinking about maps: their power to draw us into a story, and their use as a classic metaphor for life’s journey.

When I think of maps, I’m taken back to childhood days of reading Tolkien, where ink drawings of mountains, lakes, and wild landscapes sat alongside tales of courage and adventure.

Before Google Maps (remember those days?), I loved the thrill of a road trip, tracing routes through a dog-eared road atlas pulled from the boot of the car. I would follow the contour lines, plan rest stops, and eagerly turn the pages, never knowing what might be revealed around the next corner—if only we were brave enough to look.

Discovering the Open Water and Creative Writing

In that same spirit of exploration, I discovered two things that have transformed my life in recent years: the magic of open water and the wonder of creative writing.

Through both, I’ve found a deep sense of freedom and rediscovered parts of myself that had long been buried—my love of adventure, my willingness to play, and the joy of doing something purely for its own sake.

A Special Place: Loch Insh

If I were to draw a map of my ideal place for adventure, it would look like Loch Insh in the Cairngorms National Park—a spot I first visited two winters ago for the SwimWild WinterFest.

Driving in, I felt as if I’d stepped into a Christmas card: frosted fir trees, wooden cabins scattered through the woods, and the loch framed by snow-capped mountains.

Two days later, the temperature had risen by nine degrees, and the landscape transformed into a wash of greens and blues, inviting us to dive straight in. And dive in we did—into a weekend of community, creativity, connection, and shared stories. I promised myself then that I would return.

The Adventure of Cold Water (and Words)

Every time I step into cold water, it feels like an adventure. There’s anticipation laced with fear and excitement, the bracing shock of immersion, and then an extraordinary release.

In that moment, I feel deeply connected to nature—immersed in it, surrounded by it, part of it. Afterwards, I am elated, light, and proud, with a profound sense of peace.

Writing feels much the same. Each blank page is a new adventure, its destination unknown. By surrendering to that uncertainty, the magic reveals itself—a magic we all carry within us, hidden beneath self-doubt and introspection.

There is freedom in writing, as in open water. Sometimes, all we need is the invitation to dive in.

An Invitation to Dive In

This year, I’m delighted to offer that very invitation: a special day retreat of creative writing and loch swimming on the shores of Loch Insh.

Together with SwimWild Founder and Head of Adventures, Alice Goodridge, I’ll guide you through immersion in both water and words. Over the course of a day, you’ll be inspired and nurtured as we swim together, then gather to write and share stories in this breathtaking setting.

The retreat includes two guided swims, two creative writing sessions, a warming lunch at the Boathouse Restaurant overlooking the loch, and plenty of tea, coffee, and cake throughout the day.

For Everyone on the Journey

All are welcome—from first-time dippers to seasoned swimmers, non-writers to lifelong writers. All you need is an open mind, curiosity, and that tiny spark of adventure.

Remember, the map is only the beginning. The true journey begins when you allow yourself to let go. Come join us for the exploration.

Much love,
Emma xx

Emma Simpson is the award-winning author of Breaking Waves: Discovery, Healing and Inspiration in the Open Water.