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Colin S Macleod
Welcome to SwimCamping,
Part 1: Land
Welcome to SwimCamping,
Part 2: Water
Welcome to SwimCamping,
​Part 3 - Coming soon

Seaforth Island Swim Camp - 28.11.2020

28/11/2020

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Season finale swim camp outing for me in 2020. A short 500m swim across to Seaforth Island and a bog slog round the side before dropping my Lomo bag to get a quick peak down Loch Seaforth out to the Minch, before ascending to the summit of Seaforth Island (8425th highest peak in Scotland, 14177th highest in the British Isles) and pitched my tent just down from it, to shelter from the wind. Half of the island is on Lewis, half is on Harris. Think there was disputes back in the day as to who it actually belonged to. Beautiful place and stunning views all around. Saw 4 eagles, 3 (possible) moorhens, 1 deer, loads of sea urchins and 1 starfish. Will be back for sure.
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Eilean Liubhaird/Ewart Swim Camp - 07.11.2020

7/11/2020

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Great swimcamp outing with Stuart, going from Lemreway pier over to Eilean Liubhaird/Ewart (Hell Island), landing at the bay at Seanna-Bhaile (Old Town) before going for a wander around to find somewhere to set camp for the night. We also visited the Taigh a' Gheumpaill (Lone House) and were totally stunned by the panoramic views from the island. We’ll definitely be back for more exploring next year. We had a campfire on the shore, watching satellites and a couple of planes going overhead, seeing the milky way and spotting 4 shooting stars each. What a place! We’ll definitely be back for more exploring next year. 

The island has fantastic history surrounding it, some of it involving Bonnie Prince Charlie, which can be read here: 
​AngusMacleodArchive 


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Cealasaigh Swim Camp - 17.10.2020

17/10/2020

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Swam round the edge of Little Bernera for a change and into the lagoon, passing by Eilean Fir Chrothair then over to land at Cealasaigh. Was just starting to set camp when 4 kayakers were passing by and I invited them to join me if they liked. We all camped on the island and had a campfire on the stoney shore along with some drinks and stories. Good times with good company. Took a different route on the way back. Duckman was saying an average of 11 degrees.
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Pabbay Beag Swim Camp - 10.10.2020

10/10/2020

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Fantastic swim camp over to Pabbay Beag, which is just across the lagoon from Pabbay Mhor that lies off Reef beach in Uig. Choppy conditions on the way over but nothing too bad for the bag to handle. Lots of wildlife to see and hear as well as so much stunning scenery to view all around. Good times.....
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Scarp Swim Camp - 19.09.2020

19/9/2020

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Fantastic Socially Distant Swim Camp over on Scarp with Grant and Stuart. The weather on Saturday was so clear compared to on Lewis. We walked over to Traigh Mheilein, dropped our kit, then headed over to have a peek at Loch na Cleabhaig that has the cottage on it before gearing up for a swim over to Scarp itself, setting up camp and going for a wonder up the hill for some scenic views around and about. The mist came down at night but on Sunday morning it was clear enough for a swim back to the jetty at Hushinish. Had good yarns with folk on Scarp and at Hushinish over the weekend. Duckman was saying 13-14 degrees average. Good times indeed......Some photo's by Stuart & Grant.
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Little Bernera Swim Camp - 29.08.2020

29/8/2020

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Stuart and myself headed over to Bosta to meet up with Joseph, who kayaked over to Chapel Beach (Little Bernera) while Stuart and myself swam over. We set up camp, had some scoff, beers & a good craic. Sunday morning was bright and sunny, making it hard to leave such a stunning place...till the next time.... Some photo's by Stuart and Joseph...
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Vacsay Swim Camp - 08.08.2020

8/8/2020

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A swim over from Reef beach in Uig to the island of Vacsay for an overnight camp took about 30 minutes while keeping an eye out for other water users. I'd never been here before and with stunning scenery along with so much to explore, I'll definitely be back again. Midge's dampened the fun but it is summertime in Scotland so it's to be expected. Photo's aren't in order btw. 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacsay
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Swim Camp to Flodaigh - 24.07.2020

24/7/2020

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Swim camping over on the island of Flodaigh, which lies off Bosta beach on Great Bernera. Flodaigh is teaming with wildlife on it and around it above and below sea level. I was swimming with seals on the way into the bay, watching gannets diving, had 2 geese sitting near my camp, had a dolphin or porpoise swim under me on the way back. I set up camp facing out towards Bearasaigh and old hill. Bearasaigh is where pirate Neil Macleod was based. Click here for more information about him. 
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Swim Camping Trial - 07.07.2020

7/7/2020

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​Had a swim over to Little Bernera yesterday and today to test out the swim camping kit with a 'dry run' without actually having to stay over. Swam with the current, through the kyles round to Chapel beach, where I saw the helicopter hovering about. I landed and set up camp, had some scoff & a brew as well as a wander around. Today I had a play about in the lagoon, visiting a very small island and then back to Bosta. A shame to see the rubbish on the shingly shore. Will be fantastic when allowed to camp there for real. Duckman was saying an average of 12.5 degrees.
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First Swim Camp at Chapel Beach, Little Bernera

28/9/2019

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What a place for a swim camp. Swam from Bosta beach to Little Bernera, walking over to a wee cove and then back in the sea again, towing my waterproof rucksack behind me. Went for a wander before setting up camp at Chapel Beach. At night I was lying under the milky way, watching the northern lights with the odd shooting star also adding to the enjoyment. In the morning had a pre breakfast skins swim, then packed kit away as the heavy rain was starting, a quick cuppa and it was time to head off swimming from Chapel beach round through the kyles and back to Bosta beach. Life is good with swim camping...been planning this for years and am very thankful to the people who have advised me on kit etc...
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    Picture

    Thanks for visiting my blog!

    I've been a swimmer all my life and over the last several years I've done many challenging open water swims for charity all around our Islands which include the Sound of Barra & the Sound of Harris and both the Little & the Big Minch Channels to name a few.

    Having a real passion for open water swimming, I spend a lot of my spare time looking for and discovering amazing new swim spots around the Islands.
     
    I set up The Hebridean Sea Swimmers group in 2011 for all swimmers that live in or visit The Hebrides and it now has over 800 members. I regularly meet up with visiting swimmers as I love to freely show off our Islands stunning swim locations.

    I am a qualified STA Swim Coach and have years of experience as well as great local knowledge of the islands environment. 

    Swim Camping is my new adventure and having such an amazing playground on my doorstep is fantastic, putting the kit into my Lomo waterproof rucksack and swimming to an island for an overnight stay is just the best.

    Feel free to get in touch via the contact forms at the top of the page.

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  • SwimCamping
  • 2020+
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011