Wild Swimming
Loch Ossian
Loch Ossian is one of the most remote lochs on this list — reachable by the West Highland Line to Corrour station (the highest station on the UK mainline network, at about 408m), then a 2km walk, or on foot or by bike over long estate tracks. The loch sits in a bowl of moorland with the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel at its western end. Swimming here feels genuinely wild and hard-won. Midges are fierce in summer.
Quick facts
- Type
- Loch
- Region
- Lochaber
- Grid ref
- NN 369 668
- Entry
- Gravel / pebble
- Depth
- Medium (chest-deep)
- 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 public road access — ScotRail West Highland Line). Walk 2km east from the station to reach the loch. The SYHA hostel is at the western end of the loch. Access rights apply throughout.
Safety
Extremely remote. Do not rely on a mobile signal. Midges are fierce in summer. Carry emergency shelter and plan around the train times. Do not swim alone. The water is cold at this altitude, which increases immersion risk.
Best for
- true wilderness swim
- rail adventure
- bothy + hostel overnight
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 07:25
- Sunset
- 16:39
- Civil dawn
- 06:45
- Civil dusk
- 17:20
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 October 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.