Wild Swimming
Loch Morlich
Loch Morlich is Scotland's most popular wild swim — a sandy-shored glacial loch in the Cairngorms National Park with a designated SEPA bathing beach, watersports centre, and a backdrop of Scots pines rolling up to the Northern Corries. The water stays around 10–18°C in summer, cold enough to demand respect but warm enough for a proper swim. The shallow sandy entry makes it ideal for first-timers, while open-water swimmers can strike out toward the small island for a decent distance.
Quick facts
- Type
- Loch
- Region
- Cairngorms
- Grid ref
- NH 974 097
- Entry
- Sandy shore
- Depth
- Medium (chest-deep)
- Summer water temp
- 10–18°C
- Midges
- Moderate
- Dogs
- Off-lead OK
- Water quality
- SEPA monitored
Key hazards
- cold water shock
- sudden depth change near sandbar edge
Getting there
Large Forestry and Land Scotland car park at Glenmore Beach (PH22 1QU, charges apply May–Sept). The sandy beach is a 2-minute walk from the car park. SOAC access rights apply throughout. The Glenmore Watersports Centre operates on the loch — give paddleboarders space.
Parking postcode: PH22 1QU
Safety
SEPA-designated bathing water; water quality is monitored and results published online. The sandbar drops away sharply beyond wading depth — acclimatise slowly. There is no lifeguard. Cold water shock is a risk even in summer; enter gradually, avoid diving from the shore.
Best for
- families
- first-time wild swimmers
- cold-water training
- open-water swimming events
Nearby
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:19
- Sunset
- 22:15
- Civil dawn
- 03:10
- Civil dusk
- 23:24
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 June 2026
Common questions
- Is Loch Morlich safe to swim in?
- Yes — it is one of only two SEPA-designated freshwater bathing sites in Scotland. Water quality is officially monitored throughout the season. There is no lifeguard, so enter slowly and never swim alone.
- How cold is Loch Morlich?
- Typically 10–12°C in early summer, peaking around 16–18°C in late July–August. A wetsuit is recommended for swims longer than 20 minutes in June.
- Can dogs swim at Loch Morlich?
- Yes, dogs are welcome throughout the loch. The designated bathing beach operates a seasonal dog restriction on the sandy section (June–August); use the forest shore sections instead.
- Is there parking at Loch Morlich?
- Yes. The Glenmore Beach car park (PH22 1QU) has around 100 spaces and charges a small fee May–September. Arrive early in summer — it fills by mid-morning on sunny days.
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More on Loch Morlich
TripSCOT covers the loch in full — travel context, things to do, where to stay.