An Immersive Pleasure

The secret delights of wild swimming are a balm for body and mind

- FIONA RUSSELL

ARRIVING at the loch's edge, I'm delighted to see the water is calm and the sun has risen above a the water is nearby hill.

On the opposite shore, a line of trees and bushes reflect on to the mirror-like surface.

A couple of ducks move slowly towards an area thick with reeds and, overhead, I spot the obvious forked tail of a red kite.

I take in the peaceful surroundings, breathe deeply and feel my body and mind relax. I turn to my friends, Susanna and Alice, and we smile at each other, happily chatting about the warmth of the morning sun on our faces.

Finding a sheltered spot among trees, we take off our outer clothing layers. I'm already wearing a swimming costume and in my rucksack I have a neoprene vest, gloves and socks, which I pull on.

My friends wear only their swimsuits, plus neoprene gloves and socks.

We all have brightly coloured safety floats, which we attach around our waists.