SwimWild Events
Year-Round Events That Bring The Community Together
SwimWild specialises in events that bring the fabulous swimming community together. We organise events that we would like to take part in ourselves, providing a safe environment for people to relax, have fun and make new swimming friends.
SwimWild began when Alice set up the SwimWild Highland Gathering – a mini wild swimming festival in the Cairngorms National Park – bringing together swimmers from all over the Scotland (and beyond) for a fun weekend of swimming, exploring and socialising.
Next came the Scottish Winter Swimming Championships (SWSC). Due to her experience as a competitive winter swimmer and connections with the International Winter Swimming Association, Alice was uniquely placed to set up the first-ever SWSC, based at Taymouth Marina, Loch Tay. After the huge success of the first event in 2019, the SWSC have grown in size and popularity over the last few years, becoming the largest Winter Swimming event in the UK, and welcoming swimmers from all over the world.
Our most recent event is SwimWild WinterFest, a completely uncompetitive weekend of winter swimming and inspirational films and talks based at Loch Insh. Our first event in 2023 was a huge success with ample snow, ice and plenty of fun and laughter.
Please check the details of individual events below or sign up to our newsletter to keep up-to-date with what we have on offer.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – PLEASE READ!
SwimWild is taking a break from running trips/retreats/events and workshops between Autumn 2023 and Spring/Summer 2024 due to Alice being on maternity leave.
**The SwimWild shop will continue to operate over this time. We aim to ship all orders within 2 working days (print-on-demand items may take longer). For any shop related enquiries please contact Fiona at shop@swimwilduk.com
Trips/retreats & workshops will start up again from late summer 2024 onwards.
To stay up to date with all the latest news (including when new dates are released and open for bookings) please make sure you are signed up to our newsletter – SIGN UP**
SwimWild Highland Gathering
A fun weekend of wild swimming in the beautiful Cairngorms National Park. This mini wild swimming festival is held in the grounds of Inshriach House (PH22 1QP) a couple of miles south of Aviemore, on the banks of the River Spey.
A great mixture of exploring and socialising, there are options to camp (tents and campervans welcome), glamp or stay in one of cosy rooms in the main house.
Alice has been running the Gathering at Inshriach since 2017. Although the event has grown over the years we have decided to limit numbers to keep it small. We are not trying to be a big festival. We want everyone to enjoy themselves, meet new people and swim in unique places!
BACK IN 2024!
Scottish Winter Swimming Championships
This is an International Winter Swimming Association event, previously held at Taymouth Marina, Loch Tay.
There are three different stroke choices for individuals – freestyle, head-up breaststroke and ice fly. Races of each stoke are 50m. There are also longer breaststroke and freestyle races of 150m and a 450m freestyle race for those looking for an endurance challenge.
Swimmers may enter single or multiple races – or get a group together and enter a relay team. All races take place under IWSA rules apart from the ‘Anything Goes’ Relay where neoprene socks/gloves and wetsuits are allowed, and fancy dress is encouraged!
Taking place in late February/early March, the water is cold (around 1ºC – 5ºC) and swimmers must be acclimatised to cold water before swimming in these races.
2024 NO EVENT – HOPEFULLY BACK IN 2025
SwimWild WinterFest
A fabulous weekend of winter dips, film and talks to celebrate the winter and share our love of chilly water. SwimWild WinterFest is held at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, with lots of accommodation on site.
Our 2023 event included the following –
‘Light up the Loch’ – dip in the dark! A chance to don waterproof lights and harness those creative juices to generate a gorgeous glow. Think lights in tow floats, glow sticks and sparkling fairy light crowns – the brighter the better!
‘Icy Insh Challenge’ – A no-pressure, non-competitive event that’s more about giving it a go than speedy swimming. Individuals, pairs and teams are all welcome. Prizes for creative headwear and fancy dress!
Loch-side Saunas to warm up after your swims.
Winter Swim Stories Session – A chance to bring our festival swimmers together and share personal experiences of winter and why they love swimming.
Scottish Premiere of ‘The Ice Mile’ film – Starring our own SwimWild Becca and Loch Insh, where the final Ice Mile attempt was filmed. Shown on Saturday night, followed by a Q&A with Becca and Filmmaker Rachel Sarah.
BACK IN 2025!
For more photos click here
What our swimmers say…
SwimWild Shop
Gifts, kit and useful bits & bobs for open water swimmers!
Keep up to date
Sign up for our newsletter
Swimming Wild in Scotland Guidebook
A guide to over 100 Scottish river, loch and sea swimming spots, written by SwimWild’s Alice Goodridge!
Copyright © SwimWild. All Rights Reserved