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.
Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra July 2023-utgaven av The Scots Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
The Bliss Of A Bothy
After a strenuous walk, a mountain shelter can offer all you need
The Long Way Round
When you can only just see the stepping stones under a river in spate, it's time to re-think the route, as two Highland adventurers found out
The New Oyster Cult
A community is helping to restore the once rich biodiversity of Loch Craignish, one species at a time
A Poet's Sanctuary
Hidden on a hilltop, writer Dominic Cooper is inspired by the wild, stormy winters of the Ardnamurchan peninsula
A Rural Housing Crisis
Across Scotland, locals are being priced out and crowded out - but communities are now working hard to address the issue
A Historic Centre
Glasgow's Mercat Cross may not be as old as it appears but it's still seen many changes, along with an ebb and flow in prosperity
A Bird With A Brain
Jim's encounters with the raven in several northern countries have only increased his respect for its intellect and ingenuity
The Warrior King
On the 750th anniversary of his birth, Robert The Bruce's legacy as cultural keystone and historical enigma continues to fascinate
All Going Swimmingly
From Tutti Frutti to Shetland, Monarch Of The Glen to Granite Harbour, Dawn Steele's heart will always be in Scotland - and the sea
Following The Coos
The latest charity art trail aims to a-moos-e and delight visitors to Perth and Kinross this summer
