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 swim lengths or go for a dip 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, located near the Drumlanrig Estate, Moniaive, and Thornhill, are ideally situated, cosy, and warm. Each of the estate cottages has a wood-burning 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 members 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 receive a lot of rain here, and it can become extremely fast-flowing and dangerous in certain areas.
In the spring and summer, it offers some massive pools, gorgeous rapids, and stunning waterfalls. A short drive down to the Drumlanrig Estate will provide plenty of places to park along the river, giving you easy access to some great spots.
During the open season, the Larchwood Cabin, located at the castle car park, offers a great selection of hot and cold drinks, as well as 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 paddleboard 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. There’s plenty of parking right next to the loch, too, and some excellent 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 it is usually nice and quiet. It’s an excellent spot for both swimming and paddleboarding. It’s also a great place for otter spotting, especially at dawn and dusk.
Book your wild swimming holiday at Auchenbrack, and we promise you won’t be disappointed. Suppose you’re looking for some of the best wild swimming in Scotland. In that case, our holiday cottages offer outstanding facilities, private locations and fantastic access to some of Dumfries and Galloway’s best spots. We might even share a few local secrets with you too…