Wild Swimming with Calum Maclean

March 30, 2019

With keen wild swimmers among us, we were delighted to host wild swimmer Calum MacLean and his team at Achaban House in March 2019.  Calum is star of the fantastic BBC Alba adventure programme Dhan Uisge (Into the Water) and he was in Fionnphort to film episode 7 of the new series 3.  At the time, the location of his swim was a closely guarded secret - view the location and the swim here>

Calum’s favourite outdoor swims involve exploring areas far off the beaten track. On his last morning with us he headed off on a swimrun to Traigh Gael (Balfours Bay) on Erraid – see the video on twitter

If you are keen on wild swimming, the Ross of Mull should definitely be on your list of locations to visit. Once you glimpse those white shell-sand beaches, with an inviting turquoise sea, you will be glad you packed your swimming gear. Any coastal area will offer opportunities to get in the water but here are three of the most safe and accessible:

Fidden Beach: A wide stretch of sand, peppered with rocky outcrops of pink granite, Fidden has many safe shallow inlets for wading into deeper water. You may find yourself sharing the sea with some of the resident seal colony.

Uisken Beach: A lovely, sheltered sandy beach with small offshore islands to explore

Ardanalish Beach: A huge horseshoe stretch of sand, fringed by machair in the summer, Ardalanish is more open, often with big waves breaking on the shore. There are wonderful views out to the islands of the Southern Hebrides.

For the more adventurous swimmer, we are happy to provide information to help you find secret coves on the Ross of Mull where you are very likely to have the place all to yourself!

From Fionnphort Pier, boat trips can be booked to take you to other offshore islands such as Staffa and Lunga in the Treshnish Isles. Alternative Boat Hire explores off the beaten track, in their lovely traditional boat, Birthe Marie, often anchoring in idyllic places, perfect for wild swimming.

Achaban House is well-equipped for the needs of wild swimmers and all outdoor activities, with lots of car parking, a drying room, laundry, cycle shed and outdoor taps.

You might ask, just how warm (or rather, how cold) is the water? Have a look at Calum Maclean’s “Scottish Temperature Guide” for wild swimmers!