Combining the outdoors with a relaxing swim is one of life's most underrated pleasures. The rise in popularity of wild swimming has resulted in people embracing a dip surrounded by the open air.
Forget the fuss of crowded lidos and open-air swimming pools, getting out and finding the best beaches and lochs to go au naturel is where it's at – if you're brave enough.
With sea temperatures at their highest in August, there has never been a better time to get out there, and to help the Guardian has just named its top ten beaches for swimming across the UK.
The Guardian writers wrote: "Whether you want to swim long distances safely, or just bob about in a beautiful spot, there is a bay or cove to suit."
And in Scotland, one beautiful beach has made the list: Portnaluchaig near Arisaig. Located two miles north of Arisaig, this beautiful bay was chosen for its remoteness and stunning scenery.
With golden sands, aquamarine waters and wonderful views of Eigg, Muck and Rùm, it's a feast for the eyes - and that's before you get to the swimming part.
Writing in the Guardian, editor of Outdoor Swimmer magazine, Ella Foote says: "Scotland isn’t known for its lifeguarded beaches, remote locations being part of the appeal.
"There are some, however, and they are all on the east coast – the RNLI is a good resource. But the west coast is a swimmer’s paradise. There’s a cluster of small beaches and coves around the coastal hamlet, Portnaluchaig, north of Arisaig in Inverness-shire.
"There isn’t much here, but that is the point. There’s a car park at Camusdarach beach, which has a gorgeous bay, white sand, turquoise water and brilliant rock formations."
As always, wild swimming comes with a caveat, safety first. If you do go, try to go with another person and make sure to take warm clothes to wrap up in afterwards. Ensure you always let someone else know where you are going and never swim anywhere you don't feel comfortable in your abilities to deal with.
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