Wild Swimming
Loch Ness — Dores Beach
Dores Beach, on the north-east shore of Loch Ness, is one of only three SEPA-designated inland bathing waters in Scotland — and an imposing place to swim. At about 230 metres deep and 37km long, Loch Ness is a genuinely serious wild-swim environment, and it stays cold even at the height of summer. The gravel beach at Dores village gives easy access, with views down the length of the Great Glen toward Fort Augustus. The Dores Inn is next to the beach for a post-swim drink.
Quick facts
- Type
- Loch
- Region
- Inverness & The Great Glen
- Grid ref
- NH 596 350
- Entry
- Gravel / pebble
- Depth
- Deep (over head near entry)
- Midges
- Moderate
- Dogs
- Off-lead OK
- Water quality
- SEPA 2026 classification: Good
Key hazards
- very cold water year-round
- cold water shock
- extreme depth (about 230m max) — stay close to shore
- boat traffic
Getting there
Village car park at Dores (IV2 6TR). The beach is 50m from the car park. Dores Inn nearby. Great Glen Way passes through the village. SOAC rights apply.
Parking postcode: IV2 6TR
Safety
SEPA-designated bathing water, classified Good for 2026. SEPA advises against bathing during or 1–2 days after heavy rain (agricultural run-off and sewer overflows). Loch Ness stays cold all summer and cold water shock is a real risk even in August. Wear a wetsuit and a tow float, stay close to the shore — the loch becomes very deep — and never attempt a long crossing.
Best for
- cold-water training
- tick-it swim
- Great Glen Way stopover
Nearby
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:26
- Sunset
- 16:36
- Civil dawn
- 06:45
- Civil dusk
- 17:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 2026
Common questions
- Is the water clean at Dores?
- Dores is a SEPA-designated bathing water and SEPA classifies it Good for 2026. SEPA advises against bathing during or 1–2 days after heavy rain, because of the risk of pollution from agricultural run-off and sewer overflows.
- How cold is Loch Ness?
- Very cold. Even the surface stays cold at the height of summer, and the deep water beneath never warms. A wetsuit is sensible for anything beyond a quick dip, and you should stay close to the shore.
- Is there a monster in Loch Ness?
- No documented evidence. The loch is vast and the peat-stained water is dark, so you cannot see far below you — which is part of what makes swimming here feel genuinely wild.
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More on Loch Ness
TripSCOT covers the loch in full — travel context, things to do, where to stay.