Wild Swim & Wander
Immersive landscape journeys on land and in water.
These guided day experiences are an opportunity to explore the stories of a landscape, discover new routes, meet like-minded people and swim in wild places.
Join us for a guided walk exploring the stories of the amazing landscapes of the Scottish Highlands on land and in the water.
Locations for these walks have been especially chosen to explore a wide range of natural and human history as well as incorporating the opportunity for wild swimming in unique and stunning waterfalls, lochs and river pools.
Experiencing the landscape from the water is a truly immersive experience and gifts a perspective not seen from land. Cold water dipping is also proven to be very beneficial for mental and physical health.
The wild swim element of the experience is entirely optional and these will be rewarding and enjoyable days whether you chose to enter the water or not.
The routes offer differing range of physical challenge with some staying low through glens and forests and others heading to mountain heights and Munro summits. The pace will be relaxed with an emphasis on enjoying the experience rather than rushing along. You do not need any previous swimming or hiking experience to participate in these days. For the longer mountain routes a good level of general fitness is required.
Hot drinks and cake will be provided as part of the experience.
Full details for each day can be found below.
Wild Swim & Wander
Creag Meagaidh; Friday 19th June
Experience midsummer on a high plateau and swim in the crystal clear waters of a glacial mountain loch.
Creag Meagaidh is a National Nature Reserve and offers a diverse and storied landscape to journey through. This mountain circuit will take us high over the Munro’s Carn Liath and Stob Pointe Coire Ardair. The descent leads us to the cool, clear waters of Lochan a’ Choire and the return journey through a beautiful glen and regenerating Scots Pine Forest.
Distance: 18km
Ascent: 1000m
Walking: 6 - 7 hours, total trip time 8 - 9 hours
Meet: 9:00am at the Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve parking. Collection possible from Spean Bridge bus or railway station, please request on booking.
Cost: £75 per person
Please note the route does not include the mountain summit of Creag Meagidh but it may be an option if we are making good time. In poor weather the route will be adapted to an out and back to the Lochan.
Cairngorms Three Lochs; Friday 28th August
Immerse yourself in the lochs and landscape of the Northern Cairngorms with this high level circuit including the iconic Ben Macdui and Loch Avon.
The Cairngorm Plateau is a unique artic like landscape and home to unique combination of geology, flora and fauna. This ambitious route includes the potential for three stunning wild swims in high mountain lochs; Coire An Lochain, Loch Etchachan and Loch Avon. As well as taking in the areas highest Munro summit, Ben Macdui.
Distance: 19km
Ascent: 1200m
Walking: 7 - 8 hours, total trip time 9 - 10 hours
Meet: 8:30am at the Cairngorm Mountain Car Park. Collection possible from Aviemore, please request on booking.
Cost: £75 per person
If the weather is not suitable for the full route a shorter alternative just taking in a single loch will be used.
Beneath Ben Nevis; Friday 11th September
Discover the landscape story of the UK’s highest mountain and immerse yourself in the drama of its impressive North Face.
Every year over 100 000 climb to the summit of Ben Nevis but few venture to its impressive North Face, a unique landscape that cannot fail to impress. This route will share the stories of this place and lead us to some truly wild dipping spots in the high lochs and waterfalls that flow from the mountain.
Distance: 10km
Ascent: 700m
Walking: 4 - 5 hours, total trip time 6 - 7 hours
Meet: 9:00am at the North Face Carpark, Torlundy. Collection possible from Fort William or Spean Bridge, please request on booking.
Cost: £60 per person
Glen Nevis & Steall Falls; Friday 2nd October
Experience the beauty of autumn in the Scottish Highlands on this stunning circuit of the forest and waterways of Glen Nevis.
Glen Nevis is an iconic Highland Glen home to one of the last remaining areas of native Caledonian Pine Forest, the dramatic Nevis Gorge and impressive Steall Waterfall. This circuit will journey through the wilder side of this landscape, sharing its stories and swimming in dramatic river pools and waterfalls.
Distance: 10km
Ascent: 300m
Walking: 3 - 4 hours, total trip time 5 - 6 hours
Meet: 9:00am at the Lower Falls Carpark, Glen Nevis. Collection possible from Fort William, please request on booking.
Cost: £60 per person
Glen Roy; Friday 6th November
Discover the world renowned parallel roads of Glen Roy on this journey through a remote highland glen with a very special story to share.
Hidden away down a dead end road north of Roy Bridge Glen Roy is a fascinating place where very few tred. The parallel roads that run along the sides of the glen are the basis of an ancient mystery that even Charles Darwin couldn’t solve. This walk will take a tour through the natural history Glen Roy, delving into it’s fascinating past as well as the crystal clear waters of the river Roy.
Distance: 12km
Ascent: 300m
Walking: 3 - 4 hours, total trip time 5 - 6 hours
Meet: 8:30am at the village car park in the centre of Roy Bridge. Collection possible from here or Spean Bridge, please request on booking.
Cost: £60 per person
“I could have listened to a podcast or read about the North Face but there was something about Anna’s stories - told ‘boots on the ground’ - that really gave me a deeper sense of place.
She even managed to explain geological time in a way my mortal mind could handle and with very little words!
I’ll now never forget how Ben Nevis was made and how the life’s of the climbers and clans played out under these dramatic slabs. Anna’s guiding engages all the senses and it becomes a very personal journey through place as well as a very memorable walk.”
— Karen McKelvie, Wild Swim & Wander participant
