Scottish lochs named UK's top two spots for a wild swim this summer
Two iconic locations are top of the list when it comes to wild swimming spots.
Scotland has made a splash in a new study celebrating the UK's most picturesque wild swimming spots, claiming not just the top two spots, but several other entries in the top 12.
The rankings, compiled by football ticket marketplace LiveFootballTickets, looked at the number of Instagram hashtags linked to each location.
And at number one, with a staggering 623,000 hashtags, is the iconic Loch Lomond, widely recognised as a symbol of Scotland itself, Scottish Daily Express reports.
Just 45 minutes from Glasgow, Loch Lomond is the largest body of freshwater in Great Britain by surface area, covering 71 square kilometres.
Its shimmering waters are flanked by deep forests, cascading waterfalls and majestic mountains. It's no surprise it has inspired centuries of songs, poems and stories.
In second place, and no stranger to fame, is Loch Ness, racking up 556,000 hashtags. While many flock to the loch hoping for a glimpse of the legendary Nessie, others are drawn by its tranquil beauty.
Just half an hour from Inverness, Loch Ness remains one of the most iconic destinations in the Highlands.
It is also the largest body of water in Great Britain by volume, containing 7,452 million cubic metres of water - more than all of the lakes in England and Wales combined.
The list reveals that Scotland dominates the wild swimming scene, with multiple scenic spots featured throughout.
Glen Etive claims sixth place with 55,500 hashtags. The remote Highland glen, known for its breathtaking scenery, famously appeared in the James Bond film Skyfall. Its River Etive winds into Loch Etive, offering a wild and cinematic spot for a refreshing dip.
In joint tenth place is the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, with 28,300 hashtags. These natural pools near Glenbrittle are renowned for their crystal-clear, and icy, waters. Though most visitors come for photos, many do brave a swim in the famously brisk pools.
Loch Katrine, steeped in Scottish history and literary legend, rounds out the top 12 with 25,800 hashtags. A popular day-trip from Glasgow and Stirling, it's long been associated with figures such as Walter Scott and Rob Roy.
Since 1859, it has also served as Glasgow's main drinking water reservoir.
The top 12 wild swimming spots based on Instagram hashtags:
Loch Lomond – 623,000 hashtags
Loch Ness – 556,000 hashtags
Pen-y-Fan, Brecon Beacons – 192,000 hashtags
Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire – 93,300 hashtags
Fairy Glen, Lake District – 61,400 hashtags
Glen Etive – 55,500 hashtags
Overbeck Bridge, Wastwater – 49,400 hashtags
Symonds Yat, Wye Valley – 35,700 hashtags
Eskdale, Lake District – 28,700 hashtags
Fairy Pools, Skye – 28,300 hashtags
Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia – 28,300 hashtags
Loch Katrine – 25,800 hashtags
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
A spokesperson for LiveFootballTickets said: "With the UK's first heatwave for the summer expected to bring temperatures of above 30°C, people are bound to be looking for ways to escape the heat, so, how about a refreshing dip in cool water?"
In a separate recent study, a spot in Scotland was also named the best place in the UK for wild swimming overall, thanks in part to its wealth of natural beauty and clean, cold waters.
The west coast region of Argyll and Bute was singled out as a standout spot. The resort town of Oban in particular offers easy access to stunning swim locations like Ganavan Sands and the River Oude. Just a short ferry away, the Isle of Kerrera also boasts several inviting bays and coves.
Fort William, in the heart of the Highlands, was highlighted too. Experts noted that the average water temperature in the area hovers around 12.57°C, which they described as 'optimal for swimming'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Woman breaks down in tears at 'uncomfortable' sex party with boyfriend
A woman who asked her boyfriend for an open relationship has broken down in tears at a sex party on Channel 4's controversial new show. Tonight's latest instalment of Open House: The Great Sex Experiment sees newly married couple Sharmayne, 26, and Jamie, 29, from Essex push the boundaries in their relationship. The pair can be seen heading to their first social event to see whether they can find anyone suitable to join them in their open relationship. After speaking as a couple to some of the people in the Open House, the pair then split up and mingle individually. However, moments after Sharmayne sees Jamie flirting with other women, she grabs his arm and tells him that she wants to 'step out'. As the pair walk outside, drawing some suspicious looks from the other guests, Sharmayne tells Jamie: 'I just feel overwhelmed. It's just a bit much for me, the whole situation.' After Jamie replies: 'We're not obligated to do anything. This is our journey,' Sharmayne can be seen getting visibly upset before she says: 'I'm just uncomfortable.' Moments after, she begins to wipe away tears from her eyes as Jamie asks: 'Where do we go from here?' After Sharmayne says 'I don't know', she adds: 'I don't know if I'm going to be able to hold myself together now. 'I really don't want to do it. I just want to go home.' This comes after a man vomited after agreeing to let his partner sleep with another man on the show. Couple Tom and Lauren appeared on the new reality series on June 13 after agreeing to take things to another level in the bedroom after a candid discussion with non-monogamy expert Effy Blue. Afterwards, Lauren was seen reassuring Tom, adding to the camera that it was 'absolutely insane' to see him with the 'confidence' for them to have their individual fun before reuniting at the end of the night. The camera then panned to Tom rushing to the bathroom to vomit, telling Lauren it was 'going to be horrible' and that he felt 'absolutely petrified and sick' as she tried to comfort him. Following a strong reaction to the turn of events, Tom and Lauren took to social media to address viewers. On their shared Instagram story they answered a series of questions about threesomes in the bedroom. When asked if they would do a 'two male, one female' threesome, they replied: 'It's certainly something we would consider.' Another asked if they would 'play with' him and his wife and they explained: 'never say never' but they would 'want to build a connection first'. One fan asked what their 'first time' was like to which they said it was 'awkward and tense'. 'We were both nervous but learned a lot and loved it,' they added. More Trending To others they recommended swinging apps and confirmed they don't have any 'parties' in the schedule yet. 'What did you learn the most on the show,' one person asked, to which they said: 'Communication between the two of us, even the little things, and Tom learned to love the body he's in.' Open House is certainly not the first time Channel 4 has aired a provocative show, after their recent series Virgin Island, which left viewers gobsmacked and uncomfortable as 12 'adult virgins' were sent on a sex retreat. View More » Open House: The Great Sex Experiment is available to watch on Friday at 10pm on Channel 4. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Bob MacIntyre ignites mini charge at Travelers as he produces sand magic with moment of quality
Scot makes moves as Tommy Fleetwood catches fire on day two Resurgent Bob MacIntyre produced some sand magic to ignite a mini-charge at the Travelers Championship as Ryder Cup pal Tommy Fleewtood joined the leaders up front. The Scottish star kickstarted a burst at TPC River Highlands with a moment of quality at the beginning of the back nine to mount a solid rush up the leaderboard. Fresh from his runner-up finish at the US Open, MacIntyre's stunning hole-out from a greenside bunker at the tenth catapulted him forward and he began to fly in Connecticut. The Oban ace strode onto the next tee and immediately smashed a wonderful approach into the par-three for a second-straight birdie, made it three-in-a-row at the 12th with another dart of an iron shot and smooth putt to the heart of the hole and demolished the par-five 13th to make it a dazzling quartet to storm into the Top 20. MacIntyre got a break when his attempt to drive the par-four 15th just dodged the water to keep the momentum and, although he gave one back on the penultimate having doubled it on Thursday, he was able to par the last and sign for an impressive three-under par 67 and firmly improve his position ahead of the weekend However, the Tartan star will begin the third day seven shots behind a hat-trick of leaders who pushed into the positions in Connecticut. Justin Thomas jumped into his share at the halfway mark as he matched Rory McIlroy's first-round score on the second day to move to nine-under par. That allowed him to catch Scottie Scheffler, who, like MacIntyre, suffered on the penultimate hole at TPC River Highlands for the second straight day. Thursday's hopes of hammering a magical 59 were ruined when he made a mess of the 17th and he did the same on Friday when blaming a gust of wind for taking his tee-shot into a bunker and then smacking the resultant effort into water for a double. Scheffler's two-shot lead evaporated at that point and he now sits level with Thomas at the top of the boards and also Fleetwood with two days to go. The English ace made it a trio at the summit as he shot a magical back nine of 30, including two eagles, to get into position to win his first-ever PGA Tour title. Fleetwood said: 'I was very disappointed last week [at US Open]. I played poorly, but the thing is in golf there is always another week and you have to get ready. I came out motivated to try and take what there is to learn and help it make you better. So far I'm happy with how I've bounced back.' McIlroy hit the stall button in the second round, but did recover from a nightmare start to salvage something. The Northern Irish superstar looked back to his best in the first-round with a bogey-free 64 to sit just a couple off the pace. But McIlroy quickly ruined that stat as he dropped strokes in three of the opening five holes of his second round through a scrappy start. The career Grand Slam ace managed to stem the bleeding and get himself back on an even-keel by recovering all three of the losses on the back nine as he approached the closing stages of his day-two effort. McIlroy couldn't cash in on luck at the 17th when, after he hit his ball into the water before it skimmed off the surface and bounced out, he couldn't save par and ended with a one-over Friday score of 71 to sit four behind the leaders
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Babyshambles star Patrick Walden dies aged 46 as band pay tribute
Patrick Walden, Babyshambles former guitarist, has tragically died aged 46. Babyshambles former guitarist Patrick Walden has tragically died aged 46, the band have confirmed in an emotional statement. The group, fronted by Pete Doherty, shared the heartbreaking news with fans, they said: "It is with deep regret and sadness that we share the news of Patrick Walden's death. We feel very fortunate to have known, loved and worked with him and we kindly ask for respect and privacy during these difficult times. Peter, Drew, Mik, Adam", reports the Mirror. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Tributes have poured in from heartbroken fans, one wrote: "Very sad to hear the news… Biggest love to all." A second penned: "Can't believe this. Absolute genius on the guitar, Babyshambles were at their peak with Pat. But more importantly a genuine lovely guy. Down in Albion will always be a masterpiece to me." A third typed: "Such a genius, made so much from his sound which meant Pete only had to sing live, which was difficult in them days considering it was also 50/50 if the shows even happened! Thanks for the music Pat, at least we'll always have that, and the greatest of memories...." The band was formed 21 years ago and became Pete Doherty's main outlet for poetic yet chaotic rock after he was driven out of The Libertines. Babyshambles released their self-titled debut 7" in April that year. By the summer, the group consisted of Pete, guitarist Patrick, bassist Drew McConnell, and drummer Gemma Clarke. In 2005, they released their debut album, Down in Albion, which landed in the Top 10 of the Album Charts.
