Highland outdoor swim revived after 50 years

27 June 2022

Image source, Paul Campbell
Image caption,
The Kessock Ferry Swim was held on Saturday - after a break of more than 50 years.
Image source, Paul Campbell
Image caption,
The challenge involves crossing a narrows of the Beauly Firth at Inverness.
Image source, Paul Campbell
Image caption,
Three hundred people took part in the swim organised by the charity Àban Outdoor Ltd.
Image source, Paul Campbell
Image caption,
The swim was popular between the late 1940s and 1960s, but interest is believed to have waned following the opening of public indoor pools.
Image source, Paul Campbell
Image caption,
The swim challenges swimmers to cross between the communities of South and North Kessock, which were linked by a ferry until a road bridge opened in 1982.

A once popular outdoor swim in the Highlands has been revived after a break of more than 50 years.

The Kessock Ferry Swim was held between 1947 and 1968.

Held near Inverness, it involves a distance of about 1,200m (3,937ft) between the communities of South and North Kessock.

It takes its name from a ferry that crossed the narrows, part of the Beauly Firth, until the Kessock Bridge opened in the 1980s.

Interest in the challenge was thought to have declined following the opening of indoor swimming pools.

Inverness outdoor education charity Àban Outdoor Ltd organised Saturday's event.

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