Scotland has 85 formally designated bathing waters throughout the nation that Sepa screens for water high quality in the course of the official bathing season, which runs from June 1 to September 15.
Samples are taken all through the recording interval to calculate a classification for precisely how clear areas are for swimming and extra, and in 2021 information, 29 have been rated “Wonderful”, 31 “Good”, 20 as “Enough”, and 5 as “Poor”.
The craze of untamed swimming, or as others name it merely swimming exterior, has made an enormous splash throughout the nation, with many individuals taking to rivers, seas and lochs for a dip for the very first time.
Prepared to search out out extra about wild swimming? Discover out about the advantages it has introduced these courageous teams…
The Aberdeen-based Moist Bandits wild swimming group began off earlier this 12 months with a handful of pals going for dips within the North Sea as one thing to do in lockdown.
However as their enjoyable photographs unfold on social media and recognition grew, the group, who swim each day Monday to Saturday at 6.30am, is now getting increasingly folks out for a “dook”.
A spokeswoman for the Bandits stated: “Some days we’ve got about 50 folks, different days, it is determined by how hardcore individuals are with popping out within the fog and drizzle.
“We’ll both go within the sea or a river if it’s a bit too uneven, however we all the time discover someplace to dook.
“I went for my first wee swim final July. It’s widespread, as a result of folks have been taking time to take care of themselves, and care for his or her psychological wellbeing.
“Throughout lockdown it was additionally an excellent alternative to examine in with no less than any individual, that 5 minutes very first thing within the morning, although you’re within the sea and it’s freezing chilly, you’re doing one thing exhilarating collectively that will get your coronary heart going.
“If any individual resides alone, or caught with their household for nevertheless lengthy, it’s an excellent likelihood to get out of the home and do one thing thrilling.”
Smaller teams have additionally cropped up throughout lockdown, and plenty of have created lasting friendships.
Viktoria Eriksson, 27, from Aberdeen, is a part of the “Good Vibes Tribe”, a small, 10-person group of ladies who love wild swimming within the sea each week.
She stated: “For me, it began with a brand new 12 months’s decision to enter the ocean no less than as soon as a month at the beginning of 2020.
“And with every part that occurred in lockdown, I met a gaggle of ladies that have been going swimming as effectively, and so it was simply a lot extra enjoyable to go in as a gaggle.
