Hardy visitors joined local bravehearts in the traditional New Year’s Day Loch Shiel dip in Lochaber.
An impressive 35 swimmers took to the water at Glenfinnan which was a bracing 3C while the air temperature was a tad warmer at 7C.
A broad cross-section of the local community was represented at the 13th informal event ranging from primary school pupils to grandparents in their 60s.
For most, the challenge entailed a 50-yard swim out to some buoys and then back to dry land.
Long-distance swimmer Morag Hughes, from Corpach, who has swum the English Channel and the 17.5-mile length of Loch Shiel among other lochs, has also taken the plunge at Loch Shiel for each of the new year events.
She said: “It was nice, the loch was calm.
“We were hoping for about 30 folk this year, so I’m really pleased with 35.
“The first year, we started off with just four people. But it’s gradually escalated. It’s become quite a community event with folk coming back year after year.
“We get people travelling up from Arisaig or from Fort William to do it as well, and any holidaymakers are always welcome to come along.”
Glenfinnan House Hotel manager Duncan Gibson, who has missed just one of the annual events – last year through illness – was back in the swim yesterday (SUN) joined by his daughters Ella, 9, and 15-year-old Sine. (CORRECT)
“It was lovely, very refreshing.” he said.
While a fire was lit on the beach the hotel, closed during the winter months, swung open its doors to give the swimmers a proper warm-up with a champagne and chocolates reception at the hotel.
It will host a regular New Year ceilidh tonight. (MON)
