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Colin S Macleod
Welcome to SwimCamping,
Part 1: Land
Welcome to SwimCamping,
Part 2: Water
Welcome to SwimCamping,
​Part 3: Detailed Kit
HEBSEASWIMMER - A HEBRIDEAN SWIM ADVENTURER

Kenmore SwimCamp - 19.06.2021

19/6/2021

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Great SwimCamp outing to Kenmore on the Eishken estate with Joseph (kayaking) and Stuart (walking). I had a few issues with misty goggles on the way there but it didn't stop us taking in the stunning scenery around loch seaforth. Plenty of wildlife on the go above and below sea level. Good craic with good company. Had a gander round the old house which has fantastic views. A beautiful place indeed. Some photo's are Joseph's & Stuart's.
Click on this link to read about the sad history of the Pairc clearances
Click here for link to Youtube Video
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Pabaigh Mor SwimCamp - 05.06.2021

5/6/2021

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Fantastic SwimCamp going from the jetty at Bhaltos via a wee play about at the sand bar on Siaram Mor then to it was across to land on the beach on Pabaigh Mor followed by a plod over to the lagoon stopping by the remains of blackhouses, bothies, walls, stockpens, St Peters Church and the old lobster lagoon plus a look in the spooky cave. It's a small world when you bump into your second cousin, at the lagoon, who you've not seen in about 30 years. Then later 2 friends came ashore and I had good yarns with them too. On Sunday I noticed someone watching me from the pier at Bhaltos as I was swimming in, it was Angus from Fife who is a social media friend. Had a good yarn with him, his Dad and Uncle. Pabaigh sure is a beautiful place and one that I will definitely return to.
​Click here for YouTube video link
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Fladaigh SwimCamp - 15.05.2021

15/5/2021

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Fantastic time in North Harris this weekend hiking from Huisinis over the hill path to Crabhadail and a tad further, then it was back to Traigh Mheilein for a swim over to Fladaigh for an overnight camp. In the morning I swam back to Traigh Mheilein (could feel that the currents were strong) and walked back over the hill to Huisinis. Good times..
Click here for info about the North Harris area
Click here for link to YouTube Video
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Eilean Mhealasta SwimCamp - 23.04.2021

23/4/2021

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Firstly Stuart and myself went for a coastal walk (and swim in parts) from the slipway at Mealasta down to Aird Dhrolaigeo which had stunning scenery all along the way (plus we spotted a deer) and finally with beautiful views over Liongam down to Crabhadail, Traigh Mheilein, Huisinis and Scarp. Then it was back to the shore for a swim over to the main beach on Eilean Mhealasta, dropping the rucksacks and going for a wee coastal swim to check out some inlets we had noticed earlier. Once back to the beach we had a wander around some of the island, deciding on pitching in a place to make the most of the sunset. Dave and Helen kayaked over from the slipway and we spent the evening watching the sun going down whilst having some drinks, good yarns and gazing at the light of the Flannan Isles. Eilean Mhealasta is abound with birdlife and we'll definitely be back to explore the island more. On Saturday morning Stuart and myself said our goodbyes to Dave and Helen and we swam back to Mealasta with birds flying over us and a small boat going past too. Great times indeed. Some photo's are Stuart's, Helen's and Ivor's.
Click here to read about Wild Murdoch of Mhealasta Island
Click here for link to YouTube Video
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Eilean Ewart SwimCamp - 02.04.2021

2/4/2021

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Fantastic SwimCamping outing from Lemreway pier over to Eilean Ewart with Stuart, which included some filming for the BBC and we also met Dave and Helen on Saturday morning who were out for a day paddle. Sealife, birds and boat's galore as well as the coastguard helicopter. Had more of an explore of the island this time as extra daylight helps but there's still more to see. Definitely be back again as the view's are something else not to mention the history of the place. Really enjoyed the first SwimCamp of 21.
The island has fantastic history surrounding it, some of it involving Bonnie Prince Charlie, which can be read here: 
AngusMacleodArchive 
Click here for YouTube video link


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Seaforth Island SwimCamp - 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.
Click here for SwimCamp YouTube Video Link
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Eilean Liubhaird/Ewart SwimCamp - 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 


Click here for SwimCamp YouTube Video Link
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Cealasaigh SwimCamp - 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.
​Click here for SwimCamp YouTube Video Link

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Pabbay Beag SwimCamp - 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.....
Click here for SwimCamp YouTube Video Link
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Scarp SwimCamp - 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.
​Click here for SwimCamp YouTube Video Link
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    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 1000 members. I regularly meet up with visiting swimmers as I love to freely show off our Islands stunning swim locations.

    SwimCamping and SwimHiking are my new adventures and having such an amazing playground on my doorstep is fantastic, double bagging my kit into the Lomo waterproof rucksack and swimming to an island for an overnight stay or longer 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
  • SwimHiking
  • 2020+
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011