The best day swimming Loch Ness by Caroline Williamson

I had the best day swimming Loch Ness!

Swimming Loch Ness had been in the back of mind for a little while, but the voice was getting louder.Then I got in touch with Qswim Adventure who immediately made me feel at ease and I knew they were the crew to get me there. That’s where it all began for me.I knew this swim was a huge step up from my previous long distance swims but I was ready to do everything and anything to swim the 23miles and find Nessie.

‍

I did more focused workouts both in the water and in the gym. I booked a lane, grabbed some swimmers (including Karen) and did our own 100x100. I attended a catch master class, I swam on my own in a quarry for 10hours, I did multiple back to back swims in the Lake District. I was focused Nessie I was coming for you!Fast forward to the week of Loch Ness. Karen kept me informed all week and I eagerly watched other swimmers take on their challenges. I was the last swimmer of the week and weather had been mixed, so it understandable when Dave and Karen pushed the swim back a day. Safety first always.

‍

However the green light came, for the Saturday “YES”.

Feed prep done, carb fulled tea and an early night. I was setting off early in the morning due to my pacing but my focus had never wavered from that first phone call and I was excited.This did surprise me as I assumed with this being my biggest swim to date I would be a bag of nerves, but I couldn’t get in the water quick enough. Probably why I fell in over the rocks walking in at Fort Augustus.

I was setting off at first light and silhouette of the hills and Loch were just beautiful. If I wasn’t conscious of my pacing being slow I would have stared at that view for ages.But from my clumsy entrance I was off. The weather from the week had calmed and water was kind. I set off at a good pace, a little confused when it was time for my first feed.  To me it hadn’t been long enough. That’s how much fun I was having, and thankfully that continued.

Karen and Dave there with fun facts, motivation and generally being great cheerleaders. The first half flew, literally. I was over an hour ahead of pace! Then the left shoulder pain came, something that’s happened before, during a distance event.  Around the same point so it was no great shock. Painkillers and off I went. Some local cruise boats had heard I was swimming ( another quality of Karen and Dave they had informed the local cruises and RNLI about my day ) and came to say hello and even offer to donate to the RNLI who I decided to do the swim for. A few more miles in and the pain was consistent, so came the riddles (that I can’t do) to take my mind of the pain and keep me going.

My pace had slowed due to the pain, but just like the pain I was consistent. I kept moving forward but as my pace slowed I began to get cold. The instruction came to pick up pace and it would help with warming up. So I did. The pace picked up, enough at least to keep the cold at bay. Feed increased and all became warm.I was getting to loch end that was never in doubt.

Sure enough I did get to Loch End, absolutely elated and there stood my husband my other cheerleader.A few days later and I’m still as happy as when I walked out the water at Loch End. An hour faster than I thought Loch Ness would take me.My husband thanked Dave for bringing me back safe to which he replied it’s their job to keep me safe. Even so Karen and Dave are as motivated to help you achieve your goal as you are, and absolutely the team you want crewing your swim, it’s more than a job to them.

‍

Caroline - Loch Ness Solo Swimmer 2026

‍

‍