Wild Swimming around Thornhill

Thornhill and the surrounding area are an absolute haven for the keen wild swimmer. Surrounded by rivers and lochs, it’s the perfect destination for those looking to either swim lengths or go for a dook in a river. We’ve also got some spectacular waterfalls nearby to discover.

Auchenbrack cottages are the ideal base for a wild swimming holiday. Our self catering cottages near the Drumlanrig Estate, Moniaive and Thornhill are perfectly located and are all cosy and warm. Easch of the estate cottages has a woodburning stove too so you can warm up and dry off that soggy gear after a day exploring.

Rivers & Waterfalls near Thornhill, Dumfries.

If you’re staying with us on the Estate, you’re only a short walk away from the Shinnel water, the river that runs down through the Shinnel glen and into the Nith. There are plenty of great spots in the river for a quick dip. If you want to head out a bit further, head down to the village of Tynron and up into the Scaur Glen next door. Scaur water has some incredible, still pools and waterfalls to be found. If you’d like some tips, one of our team will be happy to point you in the right direction.

Further afield lies the river Nith. Easily accessible at multiple points, it’s a great place to go for a dip. Swimming in the river during the winter is not advised as we get a lot of rain here and it can become extremely fast flowing and dangerous in places. In the spring and summer, it offers some huge pools and some gorgeous rapids and waterfalls. A short drive down to the Drumlanrig Estate will offer plenty of places to park along the river, giving you easy access to some great spots. During the open season, the Larchwood Cabin up at the castle car park offers hot and cold drinks and a great selection of sandwiches and snacks to warm you up afterwards.

Top tip - for the waterfall and fairytale glen lovers amongst you, see if you can find the Holy Linn.

Lochs

A short drive from Thornhill is a great spot called Loch Ettrick (pictured above) which is popular with swimmers and paddle board enthusiasts. If you’re going solo, it’s a great place to go as there will often be someone else there, although it’s never too busy in the spring and autumn. It can get lively in the summer though, so our advice is to head up for a sunrise or sunset swim and make the most of the gorgeous location and the peace and quiet. There’s plenty of parking right next to the loch too and some great forestry walks if some of your group would prefer to do that instead.

A drive down through Moniaive and out towards St John’s Town of Dalry, will lead you to the stunning Loch Invar. It’s a bit of a trek but is usually nice and quiet. It’s a great spot for both swimming and paddle boarding. It’s also a very good place for otter-spotting at dawn and dusk.

Book your wild swimming holiday at Auchenbrack, we promise you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking for some of the best wild swimming in Scotland, our holiday cottages offer great facilities, private locations and fantastic access to some of Dumfries and Galloway’s best spots. We might even give you a few local secrets too…