HIGHLAND GATHERING IS PERFECTLY TIMED FOR THE WEEKEND CLOSEST TO THE AUTUMN EQUINOX WHEN CHANCES OF SEEING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ARE HEIGHTENED
“We just want to jump into your photos”, Lucy’s friends said, and in September they will be there. Cool Scottish waters are no deterrent to my friends coming from Florida and California to join this year’s SwimWild Highland Gathering. In a landscape brimming with clear waters the only thing better than a swimming trip is immersion in a weekend of wild swimming, swim films, hiking, music and dancing.
The SwimWild Highland Gathering is an extension of the grand history of Highland Games for swimmers. It begins with a riverside triptych of sauna, dip in the Spey, bask in hot tub. You reach the river by walking through the farmyard past the saloon bar and distillery, then along a track of tussocky grass. At the water’s edge birch trees are heavy with their leaves, and if you squeeze a prickly branch of juniper a whisper of gin scented juice catches the air. A horsebox has been recycled into a sauna and the woodfired hot tub is filled with water from the Spey. This is Inshriach, a loveable jumble of creations inhabiting the heart of Speyside. Weaving together wild Scottish landscape and creature comforts, it is a very easy place to come and rewild your soul.