Wild Swimming
Loch Tay — Kenmore
Loch Tay stretches for 23km under the bulk of Ben Lawers — Scotland's tenth highest mountain. The Kenmore end is the most accessible swim point, with a gravel beach beside the village pier and views the full length of the loch. The water is cold, deep, and reliably beautiful. Kenmore is also home to a sauna and loch-swim experience at The Retreat Loch Tay, making this one of the rare spots where you can combine a wild swim with a warm-up afterwards.
Quick facts
- Type
- Loch
- Region
- Perthshire
- Grid ref
- NN 771 457
- Entry
- Gravel / pebble
- Depth
- Deep (over head near entry)
- Summer water temp
- 9–16°C
- Midges
- Moderate
- Dogs
- Off-lead OK
Key hazards
- cold water shock
- boat traffic near Kenmore village
- sudden depth change from gravel shelf
Getting there
Village car park in Kenmore (PH15 2HN). The gravel beach is a short walk through the village to the pier end. SOAC rights apply. The area around the boat hire is active in summer — swim west of the pier to avoid traffic.
Parking postcode: PH15 2HN
Safety
Deep immediately off the gravel shelf — do not wade expecting shallow water. Boat activity near the village makes a life-jacket or tow float advisable for distances beyond 100m. Cold year-round.
Best for
- sauna + swim combination
- Ben Lawers day out
- Perthshire loch experience
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:25
- Sunset
- 22:11
- Civil dawn
- 03:19
- Civil dusk
- 23:17
NOAA Solar Calculator · 23 June 2026
Common questions
- Is there a sauna at Loch Tay?
- Yes — The Retreat Loch Tay near Kenmore offers outdoor sauna and wild swim experiences. Book in advance as it is popular in summer. There are also wood-fired hot tubs at several nearby glamping sites.
More wild swims by email
One email a week — new swim spots, water-quality notes and seasonal conditions. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.
Share your experience
Been to Loch Tay — Kenmore? Help other swimmers plan their visit.
More on Loch Tay
TripSCOT covers the loch in full — travel context, things to do, where to stay.