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Author: Karin Goodwin in The Ferret
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| The skies are grey and foreboding at Edinburgh’s Portobello beach but for the nine regulars from The Ripple Project’s weekly outdoor swimming group that is of no consequence. “We just pretend it’s the Med,” laughs one of the group as they head for the water in their swimsuits. There are shudders and squeals of cold as they enter the sea, but they insist the sense of wellbeing it provides makes it worth pushing through the chill factor. |
| The rise of wild swimming in Scotland, especially since lockdown – along with the industry that’s sprung up around it, from dry robes to expensive retreats – has been meteoric. But this cold water swimming group is a bit different. There’s an emphasis on community bonding and having fun – they refer to themselves as the Reservoir Frogs – but there’s also a serious aim of making health and well-being accessible to all. |
The Ripple Project is based in Restalrig, Lochend and Craigentinny, some of Edinburgh’s most deprived areas. Here, says the group, there are challenges for many people in getting out into nature. The lack of affordable transport and equipment, combined with the fact many struggle with limiting physical and mental health conditions, are all factors.
The full story is in THE FERRET investigative journal
Some Loch Lomond swimmers:
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