We’ve looked at the western side of Loch Ard before. You can find swim reviews for taking entry both inside and outside Kinlochard village. This time I had a day off work and tried the eastern side, closest to Aberfolye.

REVIEW

Ease of Access:

There’s only space for three cars at this spot – or two motorhomes! I was here during the week but at weekends, you’ll probably have better odds playing the lottery than finding a space. But, if you do…

Water quality:

Fantastic. You’re in a sheltered area so there’s less chance of waves and you may even find it calm even with a slight breeze.

Swim Quality:

There’s a small ‘beach’ and the shallows stretch a good 20 metres out from shower. Most of the shallows is compacted sand and earth so very easy to walk on and get access to the water. If you look at the map above I’ve marked a circular route of just over 1km. At point 4 there is a prominent boat house to make sighting very easy as you return across the loch.

Other People:

It can be very busy.

Would I go back: 

It is good for beginners, if you don’t fancy venturing out to deeper waters. And it is a great starting point for people who want to try outdoor swimming. However, there’s not a lot of parking so aim for an early visit or midweek if you want to guarantee the best chance of getting a spot. Of course, you can carry on to the western side of the loch if you don’t find a spot here.