Water Wellness on the West Coast: 7 Water Activities in Scotland to try this year

Like many of us, I have spent more time outdoors since the start of the pandemic. Water activities on the beautiful west coast of Scotland are one of my favourite ways to connect with nature – and with myself. Let’s take a look at 7 water activities in Scotland you should try for a dose of water wellness on the west coast.

This post is sponsored by West Coast Waters, a campaign to highlight the beautiful west coast of Scotland.

This post contains affiliate links from which I may make a commission. Find out more here. All opinions are my own.

Every two years, Scotland chooses a theme to celebrate different aspects of Scottish life, culture and nature. The Year of Scottish Coasts and Waters in 2020 was set to highlight all things fresh- and saltwater, canals and reservoirs, marine life and technology, but like so many other things, the events were interrupted by the pandemic.

Ironically though, that has meant that we got to celebrate Scottish waters even longer, as the themed year continued into 2021 with new events and festivities. I participated by exploring the west coast and its beautiful waters, and discovered how much better I felt after spending some time on or near the water.

As the Year of Coasts and Waters and the connected West Coast Waters campaign are drawing to an end, let me reflect on that relationship between water and wellness during these testing times.

We live in a time where doctors prescribe spending time in nature to their patients. Studies have shown that being outdoors can have incredible health benefits. Whether you are actively moving your body, or simply sitting and breathing in the fresh air, being outside can improve sleeping patterns, reduce stress levels, lift moods and boost mental health.

During the pandemic – deprived of our usual social interactions and cooped up in the cities we call home – spending time outside and reconnecting with nature became a necessity for many.

Whether a doctor told us to or not, we all tried to spend more time outside during the pandemic, and still do. Me included.

But as we experienced continued travel restrictions and – let’s face it – deteriorating fitness levels, I found the mountains had become harder to access. And so instead, I turned to the Scottish west coast and the healing powers of water. I tried wild swimming, bought a paddleboard and spent more and more time on the coast.

Read on to find out about 7 invigorating water activities in Scotland that I think you should try this year if you too want to boost your mental health and well-being while spending time outdoors on the west coast.

Use my West Coast of Scotland guide to plan your trip!

Healing Effects of Water

People have always known about the healing effects of water on the body and soul. I won’t attempt to explain the scientific details – I’ll leave that to the experts, like the research teams involved with the Blue Health project.

But if you ever looked at, listened to or submerged yourself in water, you probably don’t need to know all the details in order to believe in the healing powers of water.

Being in or near water is restorative and therapeutic. It clears the mind and creates focus.

Speaking to my good friend Francesca Lo Verso, a practising counsellor who also offers outdoor therapy in Glasgow, she confirmed this to me. Going for a swim, especially in colder water, requires you to truly listen to your body and focus on yourself in the moment. All the clutter in your mind has to take the backseat because there is a more important task at hand. Your breathing, your body temperature, every movement you make.

Listen to ‘Healing Waters‘, a podcast story about the healing powers of water activities.

Personally, I feel this way with every watersport I try in Scotland. Wild swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding or even just exploring a tidal beach – these activities on and near the water require full concentration and focus. Two things that are hard to come by these days.

Let’s dive in…

Scotland’s Watersports to try on the west coast

Wild swimming

Wild swimming – or rather, swimming in natural bodies of water – has become massive in the UK. Everybody and their mum does it. Quite literally, because women, particularly of the older generation, completely dominate this “new trend”.

Of course, people have been swimming in Scottish lochs, rivers, reservoirs and the sea forever, but somehow adding the word “wild” in front of it has sparked a newfound interest in this simple and relatively accessible watersport. And I’m all for it!

You can’t get closer to water than this. Submerging your body in the cold waters of Scotland is invigorating and gets your heart rate up. Once you’re in and your breathing has normalised, swimming in Scotland is a delight.

If you are hardy, you don’t need much equipment – a swimsuit, a towel, and a robe and a flask full of hot tea to warm up after your dip.

If the cold gets to you, you may want to stick to the sea, shallow lochs or the later summer months. Or if you can, invest in a wetsuit (I bought mine on sale for £10), neoprene gloves and socks, and a dryrobe that keeps you warm and makes changing in wild places a little easier.

New wild swimmers are advised to join more experienced swimmers at the start, as cold water can have unexpected effects on your body. The Outdoor Swimming Society has a number of useful resources on swimming safely in the UK.

You might also like: 11 Educational & Science-Based Tourism Experiences in Scotland

Where to go wild swimming on the Scottish west coast?

You can swim just about anywhere on the Scottish west coast, as long as you are aware of safety issues such as tidal patterns and rip currents or risks like hypothermia.

Lochs and lakes are often colder than the sea, but I personally prefer freshwater over saltwater and sandy beaches. Some of my favourite wild swimming spots in Scotland are:

• Fidden Beach on the Isle of Mull: I swam here with Rachel from Ross of Mull Bunkhouse who is on the way to become a certified swim coach.
• Loch Lomond: Scotland’s largest loch is a popular place for all watersports. Wild swimmers must take great care because of the very low water temperature and sudden drop of depth, but if you do it safely, swimming in Loch Lomond is amazing.
• Shiant Isles: Admittedly, the Shiant Isles are not an easy place to get to. But I loved swimming here when I wild camped on the main island. It’s a beautiful place to bring a snorkel and mask.
• Carsaig on the Isle of Mull: I swam here after a hike in the late summer sun with Tony Maclean from Walk Mull. He took me to a shallow loch in the hills behind Carsaig. I can’t recommend his guided hikes enough!

You might also like: 7 beautiful spots for wild swimming in Scotland

Find more spots to wild swim with Daniel Start’s guide Wild Swimming Britain.

Two great films to watch about wild swimming and its positive effects are Body of Water by Scott M Salt and Benjamin Paul and My Big White Thighs by Hannah Maia.

Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaking on the Scottish coast feels like exploring a whole new world to me. You could know the roads and paths along a stretch of coast like the back of your hand, but seeing the coastline from the water always looks entirely different.

One of my favourite things about sea kayaking is how close you are to the surface. You can feel every wave and every bump with your entire body, but the bimble boat gives you plenty of stability and safety. You don’t have to get wet but you can still immerse yourself in the water.

In a sea kayak, you become a part of the fluid landscape around you.

As someone who is a little scared of the ocean, sea kayaking gives me a sense of security that I wouldn’t have when swimming. I can get up close to the rocks, or paddle out far into the water without feeling defenceless.

Where to go sea kayaking on the Scottish west coast?

Unless you can read tidal charts and movements of currents on the water, sea kayaking is safest with an experienced guide. Here are some of my favourite sea kayaking spots in Scotland:

• Isle of Mull: The Ross of Mull is a long finger-shaped peninsula in the southwest of the Isle of Mull. It is surrounded by water on all three sides, which makes it perfect for sea kayaking in almost any wind condition. You’re bound to find a sheltered spot. I kayaked here with Bendoran Watersports, a community interest group that runs kayaking trips for visitors to support a paddling club for locals.
• Oban and its surrounding islands: My first attempt at sea kayaking in Scotland was a 2-day introductory course in Oban. We paddled in the harbour, but also explored the nearby islands Seil and Easdale. Oban lies on the Scottish Sea Kayak Trail that runs for 500km along the west coast – prime paddling territory!
• West Highland Peninsulas: These peninsulas on the Scottish west coast offer miles and miles of coastline that is great for paddling and offers a sheltered spot no matter where the wind comes from. I paddled here with Otter Adventures, an activity provider based in Strontian on Loch Sunart.

You might also like: Fun Outdoor Activities to try in Argyll

Surfing

Scotland may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of surf destinations. Hawaii, Costa Rica, South Africa, Australia – sure. But the cold waters of Scotland? That might need a little more convincing.

But if you go for it, you’ll reap a massive reward, I promise.

I first tried surfing on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and while it was fun, you could say that at first glance I failed miserably. Surfing is a step up in terms of the skills required and the physical challenge, and I was not really up for the task. I could barely pop up on the board and barely stood for longer than a split second.

But to me, watersports are not about being the best or hitting certain milestones. They’re about trying something new and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

With this in mind, I signed up for a surf lesson on the Kintyre peninsula, a beautiful spot off the beaten path on the Scottish west coast. I instantly remembered the exhilarating feeling of riding a wave – even if I did so lying down on my board. I barely lasted an hour and mostly played in the whitewash, but boy oh, boy I felt as mentally rejuvenated as I was physically exhausted. I highly recommend it!

Where to go surfing on the Scottish west coast?

There are several places that are highly-regarded surf spots on the Scottish west coast:

• Kintyre Peninsula: This is where I tried surfing in Scotland for the first time. Pete’s Surf School is mobile and offers lessons , coaching and board hire up and down the beaches of the Kintyre peninsula.
• Isle of Tiree: There are two surf schools on the Isle of Tiree, which is considered to be one of Scotland’s best surf spots due to its consistent wind conditions. Wild Diamond and Blackhouse Watersports both offer surf lessons, windsurfing and kite surfing.
• Isle of Barra: Far out in the Atlantic ocean, this island is a popular surf spot. Isle of Barra Surf & Coastal Adventures offers surf lessons for beginners and improvers.

Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP)

I might not live right next to a suitable body of water, or head out nearly as much as I’d like, but buying a stand-up paddleboard was the best decision I ever made. And I’m not the only one. Stand-up paddling is the fastest growing sport in the UK, as millions of people have discovered this all-but-new trend sport from Hawaii since the start of the pandemic.

Before you invest in a brand-new SUP board, take a few lessons to learn the most efficient techniques, try different kinds of boards and see if you really enjoy the activity. If you’re convinced, get a board and take it with you on adventures.

Top tip: It pays off not to fall for the cheapest boards on the market, and wearing a personal flotation device is an absolute must. I love my Anomy board which I bought at a great price from Glasgow Paddleboarders Co.

Apart from the initial investment in the board and safety equipment, stand-up paddling is relatively easy to pick up as you go. It’s much easier to learn, especially for those of us with a challenging sense of balance, and I much prefer the slower speed at which you move.

Paddleboarding allows me to take in my surroundings while focussing on my body and the movements I perceive from the water. It’s also a great workout and on a hot summer’s day, the ideal warm-up before taking a tip in the water.

Where to go paddleboarding on the Scottish west coast?

Many watersport centres on the Scottish west coast offer SUP hire or paddleboard lessons, but there are also more and more dedicated SUP specialists. For example:

• Rugged Paddleboard in Glencoe
• SUP Arran on the Isle of Arran
• Surf Lewis on the Isle of Lewis & Harris
• Basking Shark Scotland in Oban and on the Isle of Coll
• Wild Diamond on the Isle of Tiree (see above)
• Isle of Barra Surf & Coastal Adventure on the Isle of Barra (see above)

You might also like: Unique experiences on Islay, Jura & Colonsay

Snorkelling

Now that you’re comfortable with the idea of immersing yourself in the cold water of the Scottish sea, take it one step further and add a snorkel to your kit!

Snorkelling opens up a whole new world to you – believe me, the biodiversity in Scottish waters is dazzling and mind-blowing. A snorkel and mask is everything you need for a short snorkel session – a wetsuit is useful to stay in the water for longer, but by no means a necessity. Fins allow you to swim faster, but they might damage the environment – take great care if you use them.

Where to snorkel in Scotland

The Scottish Wildlife Trust has developed a series of snorkel trails that showcase the amazing diversity of Scotland’s seas. Another place to find inspiration for where to snorkel is the Above & Below snorkel trail in Argyll.

Find out more about Scotland’s Snorkel Trails on the Wild for Scotland Podcast.

Some of my favourite spots are:

• Isle of Jura: Corran Sands is a popular beach to explore, but there are several bays between there and Craighouse that are great for a snorkel among the kelp forest.
• Asknish Bay: This bay and beach at Loch Melfort Hotel is a fab spot for beginner snorkellers in a stunning setting.
• Ardfern Village Bay: The bay at Ardfern is part of a wider seagrass restoration project and you can easily snorkel to the seagrass meadow just off the shore.
• Loch Creran: I’ve not snorkelled here yet, but this sealoch is known for its dazzling reefs formed by colourful serpulid worms.

Listen to ‘All That Could Be‘, a story about snorkelling through seagrass meadows on my podcast Wild for Scotland.

Seatrekking

Seatrekking combines swimming, snorkelling and walking and is all about covering an A-to-B distance along the coast. In fact, walking is a great way to warm up between swim/snorkel stretches!

The biggest difference to snorkelling is that you take a waterproof backpack with you. Since you don’t return to the same spot where you started, you’ll want to carry with you water, food and warm clothes to change into at the end. Some people take it further and do overnight treks in this way!

Once you’re in the water, the bag is attached to your ankle and drags behind you – you barely notice the weight, so it’s really easy.

Where to go seatrekking in Scotland

Seatrek Scotland offers this activity on the Lochaber coast near Fort William. I met guide Lyndsay near Glenuig for a seatrek near Smirisary Bay. It was a physically challenging, but also fun, educational and inspiring experience. Lyndsay loves the sea and shared with me her passion, knowledge and safe guidance for a wonderful time in the water. I can’t recommend it enough!

Seaweed foraging

Seaweed foraging is of course not a watersport per se, but the enjoyment you can get out of it is yet another piece of evidence that even just being near water can be therapeutic.

I went seaweed foraging on the Isle of Mull with the artist Miek Zwamborn of KNOCKvologan. We spent a few hours exploring a remote beach of white sands framed by prehistoric rocks. One eye always on the incoming tide, we walked along the rocks, searching for delicious treats that grow below the tide line.

The entire process required a lot of concentration. We had to watch for waves rolling onto the beach to avoid getting our feet wet, dodge slippy rocks and work hard to walk on the sinking sands. We had to look closely to examine the mosaic of species and find the rarest and tastiest seaweeds in the mix.

I felt lost in the task, excited by the new information I learned and surprised by unexpected tastes. I had never paid this much attention on a beach walk before.

Where to go seaweed foraging on the Scottish west coast?

Literally, any rocky shoreline or a beach framed by rocks will do. Bring a copy of Miek’s book The Seaweed Collector’s Handbook to help you identify the tastiest kinds of seaweed.

You might also like: Sustainable tourism in Scotland – how to travel responsibly

No matter where you are in the world, being in or near water can have an incredibly positive impact on your well-being.

So if you want to boost your mental health while exploring Scotland, water activities are the way to go!

Which water activity would you like to try on your next trip to the Scottish west coast?