Linn of Dee: Wild Swimming’s Hidden Gem
Wild swimming – taking a dip in the sea, river, or lake – is a 'must' for any self-respecting outdoor and adventure enthusiasts! At this particular spot, not even the most severe cold shower imaginable can begin to compare with the total shock to the system from jumping into the water at near freezing point. Don’t stay in any longer than two minutes at a time. Furthermore, the sharp rocky underfoot makes it tricky to get out, so treat with respect! This is NOT for the faint-hearted.
A dip in the rock pool at the Linn of Dee, west of Braemar, is an invigorating experience, but not for the faint-hearted!
Welcome to the Linn of Dee, on the idyllic Royal Deeside Estate. Set in a steep gorge, the pool itself is an oasis of calm beneath a gurgling waterfall. All around, as far as the eye can see, is the emerald green of pine trees, and a carpet of purple heather. It was first made famous by Queen Victoria in the mid-nineteenth century, who wished to escape the hectic pace of London life for somewhere more peaceful. She immediately fell in love with the place, and it's easy to see why. Did Her Maj go wild swimming? Who knows? The film Mrs Brown, starring Judy Dench as Queen Victoria and Billy Connolly as Mr Brown, an Estate servant, with whom she is alleged to have had an illicit affair, portrays her in a very different light from the prudish reputation history has bestowed upon her! If she did, this would have been an ideal spot!
Today, outdoor enthusiasts visiting the area are spoilt for choice if wild swimming’s their thing. For river dips, check out the inlets on the Dee at the Cambus o’ May and Potarch Bridges respectively; if you prefer a lake swim, then head for Loch Kinord, near Ballater. But the Linn of Dee is a real hidden gem.
Loch Kinord, a much loved wild swimming spot near Ballater, Royal Deeside.
And what a delight! What a hugely invigorating experience for those brave enough to try it! It really does have every nerve end tingling, which perhaps explains why it is so addictive! Linn of Dee is not on most Wild Swimming lists due to its location, but in many ways that’s a blessing, especially considering how overcrowded other spots have become. But if you’re staying in nearby Braemar, you’d do well to hire a bike and head out this way. Only six miles from the village, it’s an experience you’ll never forget!
