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Swimming in Loch Lomond

Fancy swimming in Loch Lomond during your visit? Let us help you have this amazing, life affirming experience safely!

With wild swimming becoming increasingly popular in recent years and, even more so during lockdown, many people have recognised the huge potential health benefits it offers – both for mental health and physical health – if you do it on a regular basis.

However, safety is the priority when wild swimming, particularly in the UK’s largest expanse of freshwater which, at its deepest point is over 600 ft deep!

That’s why, we recommend that you dip your toes in with the help of Inchbaggers Island Swims run by Chris Sifleet – a woman who has swum the English Channel twice!

So, if you’re considering starting your wild swimming journey in Scotland’s most iconic loch and need some encouragement, here’s a list of the benefits identified by researchers:

• Supercharges your immune system. Immersing yourself in cold water three times a week increases your white blood count which boosts your immune system.
• Mood booster. Wild swimming boosts your dopamine and serotonin levels and stimulates feel-good endorphins – an appealing thought after a global pandemic!
• Stress relief. Surveys of swimmers from across the globe show that the overwhelming majority find it relieves stress and helps them to relax afterwards.
• Improved athletic performance. Those who swim outdoors regularly find that it boosts sports performance out of the water.
• Burns fat quickly. The cold water promotes the formation of brown fat which quickens your metabolism to keep you warm, burning more energy in the process.
• Tackles fatigue. Submerging yourself in chilly water reduces your perception of fatigue.
• Pain relief. Cold water therapy is used by athletes to tackle muscle pain and minor injuries as a cold dip is an effective alternative to strong painkillers.

To book a session/lesson with Chris visit her website at https://inchbaggersislandswims.co.uk/.