In recent years there hasn’t been as much water in North Third as there was when I wrote my intial review. I decided to pop by (May 2022) to see what the water level was like this year but it was still very low.
Which is disappointing as my usual swim would actually be mostly walking. The water was that low.
I suspect it will be like that for the rest of the summer. Ill keep an eye on it and hope it improves but I don’t think I’ll get any swimming here.
REVIEW (when the water was full)
Ease of Access: There’s a small car park beside a gate next to the path that leads down to the reservoir. If the spaces there are taken then there’s spots nearby to park.
Water quality: A bit murky and a little bit shallow in places. There was much less water in the reservoir than when I was last here in March. The water temperature was 18.5C.
Swim Quality: Excellent – There’s a nice loop around the islands. The water was calm.
Other People: There’s usually folk fishing at the side of the loch and I’ve occasionally bumped into other folk either heading in or leaving after swimming themselves.
Would I go back: Yes. Its one of my favorite places to swim.
I swim at Elie beach whenever i visit. The sea can be a little bit choppy if the wind is strong. But Earlsferry beach and Shell bay beach are very close by. When one beach is choppy, one of the others will be calm. Just pick and choose the one that matches the sea conditions you are comfortable with.
It was a beautiful day when I visited. The sea was cold (5C) so I didn’t go in for long but it was nice to have quick dip.
On a cold wet day in Troon I popped into a cafe. I was desperate for some soup. It was a soup sort of day. I asked the waitress what the soup of the day was. She replied “French Onion.”
“Do you have anything else?” I asked. “No” she replied. “We only have French onion soup.”
Surely if you are a cafe who only have one soup then you go make lentil or a tomato offering. Nobody’s favorite soup is “french onion” unless you are french.
I ordered it as I was desperate but I then watched as every other punter who came into the cafe asked what was the soup. And they too, all said when hearing of the choice. “Oh – do you have anything else?”
Thankfully the weather was better the next day. My wife and I popped down to Troon beach for a sunrise swim. The water was absolutely Baltic. My body felt sore when the cold water hit my hands and feet.
It was very shallow but I managed 10 minutes of near freezing conditions.
Don’t be fooled by this video. It was not as warm as it looks.
Ease of Access: https://goo.gl/maps/HKVy3g3ZW4ULQnmG7 we were staying at Loch Green Hotel. It was a 15 minute walk from the hotel to the beach. There is a path called The Smugglers Trail.
Water quality: I didn’t put my head under the water so it was hard to tell how good the water was.
Swim Quality: Perfect. Nice flat calm water
Other People: Not a soul.
Would I go back: I wouldn’t go out of my way to swim here but if I was near Troon then I would stop for a dip.
Carron valley is very close to my house which means I can finish work and be in the water 30 minutes later. At present (Aug 2021) the water temperature is perfect for swimming without a wet suit. It must be 18-20C.
Usually I’d see noone else here but this year has been much busier. There’s occasionaly another swimmer group present or a bunch of Paddle Boarders. What is the collective noun for Paddle Boarders? I’d suggest, due to the pumps they need, that they should be called a blowup of boarders.
The only downside to summer swimming it that the water is currently a little bit peaty. This leaves a slight residue on my skin. Which makes me feel very slimy. I normally throw water over myself, at the end of the swim, to wash it off.
It’s not as bad as the White Loch. After swimming there I come out feeling like Swamp Monster.
Although it has got a little bit busier. Previously, I did not see anyone swimming here but on my last couple of visits there has been at least one other group swimming.
Its a great sport for a quick dip within easy access of Stornoway.
REVIEW
Ease of Access: There is a car park next to the beach (by the pier)
Water quality: The water was clear and I could see a good distance under the water.
Swim Quality: 12C in August. You can swim from one beach to another just a few hundred meters away along the coast. The Pier blocks the worst of the waves. It was flat calm during my visit.
Other People: There was another couple of swimmers splashing about.
Would I go back: Yes. Nice spot for a swim and easy to access.
Whenever something bad happens in my town I joke with my wife “I bet whoever did it wasn’t a local!”
I say that because that’s all I ever see when I look at the Facebook page for my town. Load of posts about visitors up to no good. As if we haven’t got any bad ‘uns in our own town..!
Kinlochard is a beautiful wee hamlet but it had been overrun by visitors in the last year. I’ve heard the locals aren’t as welcoming as they once were. I don’t have that much sympathy. If I moved somewhere beautiful and easily accessible by others I’d expect people to turn up all the time. I don’t understand why people move somewhere beautiful and then complain that about other people who also want to come to their beautiful place.
But I do think everyone should respect each other which means Loch Ard is a difficult place to review. Its a beautiful spot for a swim but by going there I’m also contributing to ruining the place for the locals who live there.
My conclusion is to only go when its quieter. Either first thing in the morning or during the week. In the hope that won’t bother others too much.
REVIEW
Ease of Access:
⭐⭐
Rating: 2 out of 5.
It used to be easy to park in Kinlochard but a combination of too many visitors, covid restrictions and the closure of the village hall means there is much less tolerance and space for visitors. It can be very busy at the weekend so get there early or park further away and then walk/bike to the start.
Water quality:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The water is pretty clear for a loch. The west end is pretty sheltered so there aren’t many waves even on a windy day
Swim Quality:
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
A good place to swim but it can be very busy so don’t expect to have it to yourself.
Other People:
⭐
Rating: 1 out of 5.
It can be very busy.
Would I go back:
It is good for beginners and it is a great starting point for people who want to try outdoor swimming
I once worked with a man who lived in Lochore. He was a member of a brass band. He was in charge of making sure members of the band came to rehersals. Many a time I would overhear him shouting into his phone “Why can’t you cone to rehersal? If you don’t come tonight, I will make sure that you never play trumpet in Fife ever again!”
I’d recommend it for family’s or people who are starting out wild swimming as its a safe venue that is easy to access. Just watch out for brass bands. You don’t want to get on the wrong side of them or you will never swim in Fife again!
REVIEW
Ease of Access:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
Their is plenty of parking
Water quality:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
The water is checked and monitored.
Swim Quality:
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
A good managed option if you don’t wan’t to swim in wilder location.
Other People:
⭐
Rating: 1 out of 5.
It can be very busy.
Would I go back:
It is good for beginners and it is a great starting point for people who want to move from the pool to outdoor swimming.
“Pinkston is home to Scotland’s only artificial whitewater course, a flat water basin with bathing quality water, meeting rooms and storage facilities for clubs and groups, Pinkston Watersports is an official Glasgow 2014 Legacy project and is operated by Glasgow Watersports Ltd, a registered Scottish charity run by a volunteer board of trustees.”
Threre is much debate about where the name Pinkston originates from. Supposedly the Scottish version of the name originated in the old barony of Pinkerton near Dunbar. The barony had the motto “Post nubila sol” which translates to “After clouds sunshine,” which is a fittingly apt motto for an outdoor pool because anyone who uses an outdoor pool needs a positive attitude – it might be cloudy today but the next time I swim it will be sunny!
I’ve used the facility for the last few years. It’s a great place to get an outdoor swim in a safe environment.
Last year (2020) during lockdown, Pinkston offered a pay and swim session. Pinkston was the only swimming pool open as it could operate in a COVID safe manner due to it being outdoors.
This has resumed as of April 2021.
They offer a number of different times (https://pinkston.co.uk/activities/swimming/) I like the 1700 Monday slot as I can get a swim in after work but before I have my dinner.
I was back this week for my firs swim of the year there. It wasn’t very busy – there was 4/5 others swimming. The full length of the basin was open which meant I could get a nice 400m loop in. The water temperature was surprisingly in double figures (10C) I’d worn my full winter swimming kit but I could have word less and still been ok.
I appreciate everyone’s view of temperature is different but double figures is ok for me. I can swim until 5C but below that is too cold for me.
The only downside to the swim is that Pinkston can’t open the changing rooms to users. Everyone has to get changed outside. Which could be considered a positive thing – getting changed outdoors is a skill all outdoor swimmers have to learn. You might as well start at Pinkston.
REVIEW
Ease of Access:
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
The area around Pinkston is getting regenerated. Local roads and access points are sometime closed so always check google maps first to find the best way there.
Water quality:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
The water is murky. Don’t expect to see the bottom of the basin. The pool is not that deep. I can stand up at any point in it (I’m 6ft tall)
Swim Quality:
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Their is a 400m-ish loop when the basin is fully open. The site is open to the east and west which means it can be tricky swimming at sunrise/sunset as the Sun shines directly into your face.
Other People:
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Due to Covid regulations only a small number of people can swim at a time. It never feels busy and there is plenty of room to swim in.
Would I go back:
Yes – it is convenient to have somewhere in the city. It is good for beginners and it is a great starting point for people who want to move from the pool to outdoor swimming.
Twin brothers swimming, cycling and running in Scotland 