Whether it is wild swimming or paddleboarding, Mansefield House has everything that you need on the doorstep.
If you’ve noticed wild swimming, open water swimming or cold-water therapy gaining lots of media attention recently, then there is good reason for it. After a tumultuous time in which the world has become unstable and unbalanced, people are looking for new ways to realign their physical and mental health to cope with everything that is going on.
Wild swimming has become more and more popular around Loch Long and Loch Lomond. You can swim directly in front of Mansefield House – but beware the loch is 100m deep in the middle, so keep to the shore, exploring the nooks and crannies as you head down the lochside.
It’s vital that you know how to stay safe when out in open water. So if you’re planning on going wild swimming, please follow these safety guidelines from RNLI at all times. Read them in advance, so that you have time to gather the correct equipment and make all the necessary preparations. You can also download and print this safety leaflet to keep and refer to later.
If you want to head to Loch Lomond:
- Firkin Point – Just South of Tarbet, Firkin Point is a lovely spot, with easy parking.
- Milarrochy Bay – This quiet and secluded bay is a popular swimming location, close to Balmaha.
- Aldochlay Bay – Just South of Luss, the swim from Aldochlay Bay to Inchtavannach Island and back is popular with wild swimmers.
For wild swimming tips, advice and locations, join the Wild Swimming Scotland group on Facebook. You can also ask questions and find local swim groups to join. This is a great resource for all wild swimmers, from beginners to the more experienced.
Go Swim is an organised swimming event, which takes place at Balloch, Loch Lomond in September every year. With different challenges for all levels of swimmer, this is fantastic event. Sign up online and join the fun!
Cold Water Health Benefits of wild swimming:
- Less muscle soreness – improves recovery
- Reduces body pain and inflammation
- Boost your immune system
- Improve circulation
- Boost your brain power
- Potential weight loss (though not guaranteed!) through improved metabolism
- ‘Cold adaptation’ – through repeated cold swimming it is possible to bring down blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce fat disposition, inhibit blood clothing and increase libido
- It’s good for the skin and hair
Cold Water Mental Health Benefits:
- Manage anxiety, stress and depression
- Increase alertness, clarity and energy levels
- Release endorphins (happy hormones)
- Feelings of euphoria and achievement and a sense of will power
- Reconnecting with nature
If that sounds a bit too immersive, stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the newest and fastest-growing sports in the world.
Soak in the views, whilst immersing yourself in nature. If you are lucky, you will be joined by the inquisitive wild seals in the loch. Launch from the shore, or from the jetty just along from the house.
Enjoy an unparalleled sense of freedom and let Sour wonderful waters improve your wellness, as you glide along while on a stand up paddleboard, with paddle in hand. Paddleboarding is a relatively easy activity to pick up, and it is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the beauty of Loch Lomond. The calm waters of the loch make it a perfect place to learn how to paddleboard.
There are several different types of paddleboards to choose from, including inflatable boards, which are easy to transport and great for beginners, and rigid boards, which are more stable and better suited for experienced paddleboarders. Bring your own paddle board, or you can learn to paddleboard in Luss with Loch Lomond Leisure. or book in for a guided tour of Loch Lomond. You can hire wet suits and buoyancy aids, and hire SUPs overnight and bring them up to Loch Long. Group bookings are available for both hire options (basic hire and guided tour).
Paddleboarding can also be a great way to explore the many islands dotting Loch Lomond. Some of the more popular island to visit include Inchconnachan, known for its wallabies, and Inchmurrin, the largest of the loch’s islands.
Loch Lomond is also a great place for stand up paddleboard yoga, a unique yoga practice that is gaining popularity – if you are hiring a board, ask for one that is specially adapted for yoga.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced paddleboarder, Loch Lomond is a fantastic destination for this fun and peaceful water activity. With its beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife, it’s the perfect place to get out on the water and explore the Scottish Highlands.
Get involved… it’s so good!