Need another reason to visit Scotland? Gladhouse Reservoir, formerly known as Moorfoot Loch, is a reservoir in Midlothian, Scotland, five miles (8 km) south of Penicuik.It is the most southerly reservoir in Midlothian, as well as being the largest area of freshwater in the Lothians.It is used to supply Edinburgh with drinking water. Since 1837 it has been partially submerged by the reservoir, and is completely inaccessible. It may be difficult to swim or use a watercraft on these busy waters without disturbing the anglers - therefore not exercising your access rights responsibly. We want people to enjoy Scotland's beautiful reservoirs and to be aware of the dangers of entering the water. Our advice? The Reservoirs (Scotland) Act 2011 sets out a new regulatory regime for the safe construction and operation of reservoirs in Scotland.. Sure it’s no Mediterranean coastline, but what the Scottish lack in sunshine they make up for in true Scot spirit and of course some seriously beautiful outdoor swimming spots. Scotland’s reservoirs are regulated under the Reservoirs (Scotland) Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). There’s nothing like a quick sub-zero dip to clear a hangover. However, swimming in reservoirs and open water can be deadly. Explore and contribute to the UK wild swimming map. Deep and therefore very cold water – cold water can send your body into shock in seconds, Hidden structures or pipework underwater can cause injury or trap you, Steep, slippery banks can make it difficult to get back out of the water (especially when you are cold), Remote locations with poor phone coverage or difficult access for emergency services. These are our top picks for wild swimming spots near Edinburgh…. All rights reserved. Access rights extend to rivers, lochs and reservoirs (but never go close to spillways or water intakes). The name alone should tip you off to the fact that these pools are a particularly … Fairy Pools, Skye. No companies have permission to run commercial courses, or hire kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, on any reservoir in the Regional Park. The Reservoirs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 make provision in relation to part 1 of the Reservoirs (Scotland) Act. Rights to swim in rivers and lakes in Scotland The legal situation in Scotland is now very different for people wishing to swim in Scotland’s inland waters. Remember that swimming in open water can be dangerous, particularly for children, and that the water might be used for public water supply. Ready to discover one of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets? The lochs provide good fishing for anglers and great opportunities for hikers, not to … Ⓒ Copyright 2018 Contiki. Often dressed in fancy dress, most swimmers only last one quick plunge before making a hasty retreat to the pub, but the truly dedicated stay out swimming for around half an hour. It’s one of the most famous wild swimming spots near Edinburgh. Inspirational stories from around the world, Getting real on the topics you care about, The places and experiences that fuel our wanderlust, Tips and tricks to bring your travel A game, The latest in sustainability and green inventions, All the travel questions you need answered, Foodie inspiration for your next adventure. Only goodness. POWERED BY. In the sunnier summer months the beach is regularly packed with families and tourists alike, but year round you’ll find wild swimming enthusiasts braving the cold on the hunt for an outdoors thrill. If you’re not afraid of Nessie, paddle through the wild lakes, hilly heaths and tucked-away pools that make up the extraordinary wealth of wild swimming … The following dangers exist to those entering the water: If you do choose to swim in a reservoir here is some advice to keep safe: Access to the reservoir structures such as towers and metal walkways is prohibited – do not ignore the locked gates or signage. Just a 40 minute drive from the city centre you’ll find the Threipmuir Reservoir, nestled within the Pentland Hills National Park. Wild swimming is a trend that has grown in popularity in recent years, in part thanks to the post 2012 boom in triathlons, as well as a general increased interest in outdoors events that push the human body to the absolute limits. All across the country you’ll find lochs, reservoirs and pools just ripe for a quick wild dip, and in and around the capital city is no different. Reservoirs are privately owned, but in England there is a duty on the owners to provide access for recreational use. Early spring wild swimming in threipmuir reservoir in Edinburgh, Scotland. *Government regulations: no travelling out of your LA area for exercise (5 miles over-the-border exception). The sun is out, it's hot and the water looks ever so tempting. *LIMITED CAR PARKING AVAILABLE* Swimming Reservoirs in the Pentlands are either owned and run by Scottish Water, City of Edinburgh Council or are privately owned. Just a few short miles from Edinburgh city centre lies Portobello Beach, a charming seaside suburb comprised of two miles of golden sandy beach. Some key requirements of the Act include: Read on for the best places for paddling and wild swimming Scotland. It will be necessary to portage your vessel: no reservoirs in the Regional Park are accessible by vehicle. Reservoir Safety Video. In this short video, Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water, explains the risks of drowning in reservoirs. Never swim alone, and always supervise children in the water, Do not swim under the influence of alcohol. Unlike most bodies of Scottish water, this particular reservoir is completely unique; it contains large amounts of peat, so the water is often unseasonably warm (in the summer the calm blue waters have been known to hit 22C). Sign up to our monthly six-two digest for the latest stories, trends and travel goodness, straight to your inbox. Research the reservoir to make sure access rights apply, and there are no byelaws prohibiting swimming. 48 hours on the clock, Edinburgh what you got? The 2011 Act employs a proportionate and risk based regulatory regime based on the consequences of an uncontrolled release of water on downstream receptors. Local enthusiasts ensured that Sparth Reservoir, just off the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, was saved for swimming after a campaign lasting six years. Faerie Pools, Skye. The Upper Derwent Valley in the Peak District is home to some of the most beautiful pools, water and views. For this reason we ask that you consider choosing somewhere else to exercise your access rights, especially on sunny days when it will certainly be busy. Wild swimming takes some pluck. Name: Drumbowie Reservoir, Falkirk Place type: Inland Water Location: Grid Ref: NS 7905 8111 • X/Y co-ords: 279057, 681112 • Lat/Long: 56.00759888,-3.94124488 There are more than 31,000 lochs or lakes in Scotland in a variety of sizes. I've swim in a few man made lakes, and a few natural lakes in alps, Scotland etc. Be aware there is no vehicular access to reservoirs in the Regional Park: you face a walk or portage of some distance in all cases. Other reservoirs are fished less intensively and can offer more space for shared access, however you should always respect other users and avoid them if possible. 10 Harry Potter filming locations every super fan needs to visit in Scotland. Fresh Peak water in these natural pools make for the perfect place for a … If you witness someone in trouble in the water, contact the emergency services immediately on 999. Wear a brightly-coloured cap or tow float so that boaters can easily see you - Anglers at Glencorse and Threipmuir use boats with engines, Anglers - Keep yourself and your dog clear of anglers fishing from the bank and in boats, beware of danger from back casting and hooks, Blue-green algae blooms - avoid contact and keep your dog out of the water when blue-green algal blooms are present, Deep mud – when the water level drops areas of deep mud can become exposed. If you are tempted to swim in reservoirs we urge you to remain cautious as they can be very dangerous locations to swim. The west end of the reservoir is often reserved for shore fishing, but the water is plenty big enough for swimmers and anglers alike. Natural Feature. The following dangers exist to those entering the water: And they’re everywhere. Travel to … The reservoir is on the edge of Gleniffer Braes Country Park. City of Edinburgh Council: Harlaw, Threipmuir, Bonaly, Harperrig, Scottish Water: Torduff, Clubbiedean, Glencorse, Loganlea, Find out about angling on reservoirs in the Regional Park, Scottish Water advice on accessing their reservoirs, Scottish Fire and Rescue advice on water safety, Advice on what to do if you are suddenly submerged in cold water (RNLI), Scottish Outdoor Access Code: swimming advice. You can unsubscribe at any time, We will not send you spam we promise! Also in the Pentland Hills National Park you’ll find the impossibly picturesque Glencourse Reservoir, surrounded by a Glen. For some, the idea of plunging head first into a near-freezing outdoor lake screams total hell. They do require a little bit of walking to get to, around a 40 minute walk from the car park located in Glen Brittle. A little too early for non-wet suit swimming. Loch Ard, Trossachs. Recently (2020) there has been increased pressure on Threipmuir Reservoir by swimmers, kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders. The map has been created from selected places from the Wild Swimming books plus hundreds of additional entries and photos contributed by the wonderful wild swimmers of the UK. All rights reserved. There are other risks to be aware of at reservoirs and responsible access actions we should be taking: Please don’t put yourself or others at risk, stay safe and respect others. Care for the interests of other users and for the natural heritage of rivers and lochs by: not intentionally or recklessly disturbing birds and other animals; not polluting … Created with Sketch. The castle is now a ruin. So any ideas of where to swim, ideally somewhere on the edge of the Pentlands or closer into town? They’re rugged, scenic and starkly beautiful. A beautiful wild swimming spot near Edinburgh. Design: HTML5 UP. © Pentland Hills. A little corner of the internet dedicated to delivering you the travel inspiration goods on the daily. Please also make yourself familiar with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code which in relation to open water swimming states: Access rights extend to swimming (subject to any local byelaws). Pack a picnic and make a day of it, cycling between Glencourse Reservoir and Threipmuir Reservoir for maximum wild swimming fun. It … Unsurprisingly, the reservoir is popular with wild swimmers and triathletes alike, who are drawn to the area for its outstanding natural beauty. Fairy Pools, Isle of Skye, Scotland. Explore the world with Glencorse, Loganlea, Harlaw, Threipmuir and Clubbiedean are heavily used as fisheries between March and November. SwimTrek is the world's leading provider of swimming holidays, with swim tours in some of the best open water swimming locations around the world. Lifestyle Taking the plunge into winter wild swimming at Wardie Bay Every day scores of people of all ages are plunging into the Scotland’s coastal waters for the thrills of wild swimming. If you are tempted to swim in reservoirs we urge you to remain cautious as they can be very dangerous locations to swim. The following reservoirs form the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain. Never dive or jump in – there is bigger risk of cold water shock or injury from hidden objects underwater. The land owners either side of the river officially own half the riverbed. Arisaig Coast, Looking to Rùm | © Gordon Watt/Flickr. There might also be sudden changes of depth. The Yarrow Water is a river in the Borders in the south east of Scotland.It is a tributary of the Ettrick Water (itself a tributary of the Tweed) and renowned for its high quality trout and salmon fishing. Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. True, this experience isn't for everyone, but for some it’s a feeling they crave, and thrive off. We cannot recommend using your kayak or SUP on Glencorse, Loganlea, Threipmuir, Harlaw or Clubbiedean during the summer months when it is busy, as there is a high chance you may disturb anglers on these heavily-used fisheries. There are throw-lines at all reservoirs, and Natural Heritage Officers also carry them. Wild swimming laws in lockdown explained – and how to stay safe in the UK heatwave Swimming … Lochs, rivers, reservoirs, I’m not fussy, just need somewhere to cool off. However, access rights exist for boating, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. In some other European countries, including Scotland and most of Scandinavia, there is an explicit (statutory) legal right to swim or navigate in all water bodies, related to the public rights to roam. As for any swim, ensure you can get in and out easily and beware steep banks in reservoirs, especially when you’re cold (remember you lose strength and fine motor coordination with cold incapacitation, even in summer). All across the country you’ll find lochs, reservoirs and pools just ripe for a quick wild dip, and in and around the capital city is no different. Some have legendary monsters swimming in them. If you can stand the cold, the beautiful Fairy Pools are a must … Reservoirs in the Pentlands are either owned and run by Scottish Water, City of Edinburgh Council or are privately owned. Arisaig, Lochaber. King George's Reservoir , London Borough of Enfield (also known as King George V Reservoir) William Girling Reservoir , London Borough of Enfield They do not own the water. Your breathing shallows as you gasp for air, while your body feels like it’s suffering from an all over ice-cream headache. The Faerie pools are a well known location for wild swimming on the Isle of Skye. But once you have found your deserted pool, disrobed and plunged in…well, it’s rather a lot of fun. Whether it’s for a hike up Ben A’an or a thrilling afternoon at Go Ape, the … News; UK; Can I swim in rivers, lakes and reservoirs? The oldest heated swimming pool in Scotland – and it uses salt water taken from the River Clyde, cleaned and maintained at a temperature of 29C. Group 8@1,5x The Loony Dook dash takes place every New Year’s Day, as revellers brave the freezing cold waters of the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry as part of the annual Hogmanay celebrations. These areas should be avoided - keep yourself and dogs clear of them to avoid risk of getting stuck, Do not allow your dog onto the ice - they can also fall through. Posted 11 years ago Witnesses said Ben, who played with Everton Boys football club, and friends had been swimming off a locked pier. *LIMITED TOILET FACILITIES* Click on the expand button (top left corner of map) to view the wild swim map in full […] And Scotland is an area that is as keen as any on the wild swimming craze (want to venture further afield, check out the most beautiful wild swimming spots in Europe). Sure it’s no Mediterranean coastline, but what the Scottish lack in sunshine they make up for in true Scot spirit and of course some seriously beautiful outdoor swimming spots. Access safely from a shallow area – do not enter by, or swim near, the reservoir structures, including the dam wall, towers or spillways. Usually this does not include swimmers. Studies have proven that wild swimming carries with it an array of health benefits, including improved circulation, believe it or not. Stanely Castle is located in the waters of Stanely Reservoir, to the south of Paisley, Scotland, at the foot of the Gleniffer Braes.It was probably built in the early 15th century, on an island within a marsh. The name "Yarrow" may derive from the Celtic word garw meaning "rough" or possibly share a derivation with the English name "Jarrow".. Release of water on downstream receptors reservoirs, I’m not fussy, just off the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was. Any Reservoir in Edinburgh, Scotland etc visit in Scotland requirements of the dangers of entering the water, of! Corner of the dangers of entering the water, Do not swim under the of! 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