In October the water is starting to cool down again and the landscape around starts to pop with all colours of browns and oranges. With the bulk of the holiday season over, the islands become much quieter so there is more chance of seeing wildlife.  Days are shorter, sunsets earlier, sunrises later. Dark skies provide a magical backdrop for outdoor swimmers so we enjoy moonlit dips, wood-fired hot tubs and cosy log-burning fires. Dips and short swims up to 45 minutesAbility to tread waterThermal swim suit, shorty wetsuit, neoprene booties and gloves recommended

In Spring the islands come alive! The puffins arrive on the Treshnish Isles, a special protection area for the conservation of wild birds, returning at this time of year for the breeding season. The islands are waking up from the winter so there is a real energy in the air as the first of the warm sunshine arrives!  We will likely hear the first sounds of the cuckoo and the corncrake and see the bluebells start to bloom. 

May is a special time of year to come to Mull. Spring has definitely sprung, the air temperature is warming up and while the sea temp is also warming up it is still a fresh 10 degrees which makes for longer invigorating dips. Getting changed on the beach becomes a little easier as there is less chance of getting really cold especially when the sun is on your face!Dips between 20 and 30 minutesAbility to tread waterNeoprene booties and gloves highly recommended

Our guided swim retreats are aimed at swimmers who enjoy a dip but would like to challenge themselves to do a couple of longer swims as well. On our swims we explore slightly further away from the shallows and shoreline and enjoy adventures like a dip in Fingal's Cave if weather conditions allow. The water is still quite chilly so if you are swimming frontcrawl we recommend a neoprene hat. Key information Ability to swim 8 lengths of a 25m pool (breaststroke or frontcrawl) Some open water experience Wetsuit (or another neoprene item like shortie, long sleeved jacket) neoprene booties & gloves, swim hat (neoprene if putting head in the water)

Our guided swim retreats are aimed at swimmers who enjoy a dip but would like to challenge themselves to do a couple of longer swims as well. On our swims we explore slightly further away from the shallows and shoreline and enjoy adventures like a dip in Fingal's Cave if weather conditions allow. The water is still quite chilly so if you are swimming frontcrawl we recommend a neoprene hat. Key information Ability to swim 8 lengths of a 25m pool (breaststroke or frontcrawl) Some open water experience Wetsuit (or another neoprene item like shortie, long sleeved jacket) neoprene booties & gloves, swim hat (neoprene if putting head in the water)

Our guided swim & snorkel retreats are aimed at swimmers who are confident in open water and enjoy exploring! August is a magical time underwater with lots of new growth. We spend a day in Iona where local guide David tells us all about island living past and present, rounding off the day with a swim at one of Iona's stunning beaches where the waters are clear and emerald green. Able to swim 8 lengths of a 25m poolTwo swims a day (one or both with an underwater explore element)While the water temperature is relatively warm at about 15 degrees, we recommend a thin wetsuit as it provides protection against jellyfish and rock scrapes and they can be hired on request.

This retreat is about giving you the knowledge to swim safely in cooler waters - the waters in Scotland are warmed by the Gulf Stream but rarely get above 14 degrees - and helping you build confidence in your outdoor swimming.Ability to swim 4 lengths breaststroke of a 25m pool.Two coached swims a day in sheltered coves that are perfect for learning new techniquesWetsuit, neoprene booties, gloves and thermal swim hat recommended as we can be in the water for up to 40 minutes. 

This retreat is about journeying through epic landscapes by water.A shorter swim might be a crossing from Mull to Erraid, a slightly longer but challenging swim from Mull to Iona and a longer endurance swim from one island to another with a hike and stop for lunch.Another swim we will definitely do if weather conditions allow is through a channel of water between Staffa (one of the Treshnish Isles) and a pyramidal-shaped rock known as 'the Herdsman' into Fingal's Cave. It's a short swim of about 600m from the pontoon through the channel into the cave and back again.  Wetsuits are essential for this swim as there is often swell inside the cave. The suit provides extra buoyancy and protection against the rocks. We spend a day in Iona where local guide David tells us all about island living past and present, rounding off the day with a short swim at one of Iona's stunning beaches where the waters are clear and emerald green. 

In Spring the islands come alive! The puffins arrive on the Treshnish Isles, a special protection area for the conservation of wild birds, returning at this time of year for the breeding season. The islands are waking up from the winter so there is a real energy in the air as the first of the warm sunshine arrives!  We will likely hear the first sounds of the cuckoo and the corncrake and see the bluebells start to bloom. 

May is a special time of year to come to Mull. Spring has definitely sprung, the air temperature is warming up and while the sea temp is also warming up it is still a fresh 10 degrees which makes for longer invigorating dips. Getting changed on the beach becomes a little easier as there is less chance of getting really cold especially when the sun is on your face!Dips between 20 and 30 minutesAbility to tread waterNeoprene booties and gloves highly recommended