Wild Swimming
Loch Ossian
Loch Ossian is the most remote loch on this list — reachable only by the West Highland Line to Corrour station (the highest mainline railway station in the UK at 408m), then a 2km walk, or by foot/bike from Rannoch. The loch sits in a bowl of moorland with the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel on its south shore, one of Scotland's most beautifully located. Swimming here feels genuinely wild and hard-won. The reward for the journey is unparalleled. Midges are fierce in June–August.
Quick facts
- Type
- Loch
- Region
- Lochaber
- Grid ref
- NN 369 668
- Entry
- Gravel / pebble
- Depth
- Medium (chest-deep)
- Summer water temp
- 8–14°C
- Midges
- Very high
- Dogs
- Off-lead OK
Key hazards
- very remote — no road access
- cold water shock
- midges June–August
Getting there
Corrour station (no road access — ScotRail West Highland Line only). Walk 2km east from the station to reach the loch. The SYHA hostel (PH50 4RY) is on the south shore and provides accommodation. SOAC rights apply throughout.
Parking postcode: PH50 4RY
Safety
Extremely remote. No mobile signal. Midges are among the worst in Scotland June–August. Carry emergency shelter. Do not swim alone. The cold water at altitude increases immersion risk.
Best for
- true wilderness swim
- rail adventure
- bothy + hostel overnight
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:03
- Sunset
- 19:20
- Civil dawn
- 06:25
- Civil dusk
- 19:58
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 September 2026
Common questions
- How do you get to Loch Ossian?
- You cannot drive there. Take the ScotRail train to Corrour (request stop, check timetable) and walk 2km east. The loch is remote, quiet, and worth every logistical complication.
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Around Loch Ossian on the SCOT network
Travel context for the area on TripSCOT.