Wild Hebridean Swimming – three years on
Running a tourism business on the Isle of Mull
For the best part of 25 years, I’ve been coming to Mull. But it’s only since moving here permanently three years ago that I’ve really experienced what life is like on an island.
In winter when a lot of tourism businesses wrap up for the season, there’s a quietening down on the island. Business owners take a well-earned break, travel or spend time with family. But once that pause is over the island bursts back into life behind the scenes – boats are repaired, signs repainted, new recipes conjured up – preparations are underway for the season ahead.
And as a small business owner I am no different. There is so much to do, from online seminars about how to make your social media better to revamping your website to scoping out new swim routes. And as island residents we all wear multiple hats. That’s the beauty of island life – everyone contributes. You might be a volunteer fireman as well as a teacher; the manager of a youth theatre and a shop owner. These layers of identity create a strong, interwoven community and that’s what makes life here so special.
Cold water swimming in Scotland
When I first started cold water swimming, it was more out of necessity than intention. I grew up in Australia as a pool swimmer and the beach was just somewhere we visited on holiday (and the water was warm!). But after meeting my husband who is from Mull, we started spending a lot of time in Scotland. I realised that every time I passed a loch or was by the sea I always felt like I was missing out. The fact it was cold was secondary.
Scottish beaches are unlike anywhere else. There are beaches in Australia that are undeniably stunning but there’s something about the beaches in the Hebrides that take your breath away. Maybe it’s the remoteness, the rugged beauty or the sense that you’re stepping into a world that’s existed unchanged for centuries. It’s almost as if you’re an intruder in a place that belongs entirely to nature. There is a thriving world underwater – a hidden treasure that most people never see – crabs scuttling along the sea floor, swaying seaweed sheltering tiny creatures and every shade of green and brown alive in the sunlight.
Not for profit
As a coach in England I had specialised for 10 years in stroke technique correction primarily for age group triathletes. When Covid hit, everyone was forced to turn to the resources they had on their doorstep and for many that was outdoor swimming. I heard countless stories from people who said they’d felt unable to access swimming previously. I wanted to help change that by breaking down barriers and encouraging everyone to swim regardless of age, ability and ethnic background.
Fortunately if you live somewhere like Mull, there is an abundance of open water that is free to use without any need to book a time slot – you can just turn up and swim. But very few locals were swimming outdoors. During Covid I started running free cold water safety sessions and more and more people joined in. There is now a vibrant outdoor swimming community in Mull with several WhatsApp groups that people use to organise dips and swims.
Wild Hebridean Swimming continues to work with the community on a not for profit basis. This month we are launching the Mull Men’s Swim Shed, an initiative designed to get more men outdoors doing something active. Outdoor swimming is a space dominated by women and I’d love to see that change.
Retreats
The main revenue-generating part of our business is hosting retreats. The main focus is swimming and we provide other wellbeing activities like yoga and walks as well. People can choose between a Dip & Chill, a guided swim holiday and a retreat that offers beginner swimmers a chance to try sea swimming. These have been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. People leave reviews that say they feel transformed, buoyed by adventure and healed through friendship. There is a growing need for a deeper connection with nature and a greater awareness of the fragility of the planet. More people are choosing domestic over international travel and holidays where they can have a positive impact.
Recent successes and future plans
It has been really rewarding seeing Wild Hebridean Swimming appear in prominent press publications like The Guardian where we featured in their top 10 UK wellbeing breaks; Condé Nast Traveler who wrote a story about how wild swimming retreats such as ours are helping women form meaningful connections; and specialist publications such as Outdoor Swimmer Magazine.
Looking ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be just as exciting with two collaborations: a yoga retreat in Greece in October and wild swimming retreats in Islay.
Mission statement
Whether through swimming retreats for visitors or community projects like The Mull Men’s Swim Shed, my mission remains the same—to make outdoor swimming more accessible, welcoming and beneficial for everyone.
If you’ve ever thought about taking the plunge into open water for adventure, relaxation or community I encourage you to try it.
It might just change your life.
10% early bird discounts on all my wild swimming retreats in 2026 if you book before the end of March 2025!
