Wild Hebridean Swimming

I recently returned to the United States from Emma McDonald’s 5-day Wild Hebridian Swim Retreat. I am a member of a masters swim team and an avid open water swimmer. The 5-day retreat surpassed my expectations and, quite honestly, was one of the best experiences of my life. The accommodations at the Achaban guest house were AMAZING, and included daily, home-cooked, delicious meals. The week started with a variety of people coming together from various parts of the world with a common love of cold water swimming. By the end of the week, we were a community cultivated through sharing unparalleled experiences. I have traveled a lot, but have rarely experienced the remote and stark beauty of Inner Hebrides. If you want to have an unusual retreat that both cleanses and fortifies your body and soul, a swim retreat with Emma cannot be matched.

My husband bought me the Dip and Chill retreat as a surprise gift for my 60th birthday and it has been one of the best things I have ever done. Emma kept the secret so well while my husband was planning it and was so helpful in her communications with him. We both travelled to this very special place together and had just the best week with the loveliest group of people. Emma is such a natural retreat leader; she is kind, really motivating with her passion for wild swimming and so welcoming. We were made to feel totally at home in Rachel's lovely house and we slept incredibly well in our very peaceful, comfy room. Rachel and Emma both went out of their way to help us with anything we needed. Nothing was too much trouble. Anna's cooking was fabulous - fresh vegetarian meals, homemade sourdough, brioche, muffins, soup and she was always smiling, even though we kept chatting to her while she was cooking! It was amazing. We packed plenty into each day; dipping twice in different beautiful locations, visited a traditional weavers, did yoga by a crackling log fire, travelled to Iona and saw puffins which was magical, but we never felt rushed. There was plenty of time to chill out and we spent a couple of wonderful evenings in the hot tub chatting and laughing in our lovely group. Dinner with the group was always so much fun; so many interesting conversations with a superb bunch of humans. I really could have stayed longer! Both Hugh and I will remember this experience for a very long time and hope to return. Thank you so much Emma, Rachel and Anna for your special kindness xx

I have just had ANOTHER amazing 5 days with @wild_hebridean_swimming, the second in 9 months. Emma has managed to blend calm experience with challenging excitement resulting in the best swims off the coast of Mull. The weather was on our side too and we were bathed in warm sunshine all week. With Rachel’s infectious enthusiasm and Anna’s culinary masterpieces the team that greets you here is second to none. You HAVE to experience it for yourselves - I know I will be back!!

Wow! Just returned from a magnificent weekend. Emma and the team (especially Rachel & Anna) made the whole holiday wonderful. They totally looked after us all from the moment we arrived. Everyday was an adventure, sea dips or swims depending upon how you felt. Beautiful beaches and sunshine all the way! Yoga, massage and those packed lunches! Then the big challenge of Staffa. Special thanks to Emma and the wonderful group for giving me the courage to climb the stairs to see the puffins! Finally the moment we all shared in the magical Fingals cave - I will never forget it. Emma and the team, ensured we were always informed on how to enjoy the cold water safely and supplied encouragement and very cosy dry robes. Thank you everyone for a wonderful weekend. I highly recommend and want to return.

Emma, Rachel and Chef Anna are amazing humans! Emma was such an organized and fun spirited retreat leader. Rachel’s house was so cozy, relaxing and very Scottish. Chef Anna cooked the most delicious meals… fresh bread, decadent puddings, hearty soups. I met the most lovely people who will hold a place in my heart for life. The Hebrides are magical. I left the retreat feeling nourished…mind, body and soul. I hope to be back.

In September, in the Inner Hebrides I experienced something that truly touched my heart and soul. Swimming in remote, unspoilt, wild and stunning locations in aquamarine, crystal clear water from beaches of fine powder white sand across dunes of heather, gorse & sheep. Swimming with strangers who became friends. Swimming with locals whose passion inspired us. Emma and Rachel led us with such confidence, knowledge, great skill, competence and huge amounts of enthusiasm. Swimming which challenged and enthralled us. Emma is so passionate, supportive and encouraging, she helped us enjoy the health benefits of very cold water! We never felt out of our depth. I loved it, despite my illness, I embraced it. I came home with a deep sense of joy, buoyed by adventure, camaraderie and the sheer joy of life and I shall always treasure the memories. Thank you.

I recently returned from the Dip and Chill retreat which was life affirming and just wonderful! Emma and Rachel were both such lovely warm hosts. Their local knowledge and expertise meant that we were taken to stunning locations, while they also managed to find us sheltered spots when the weather was less clement. A seal even came and checked us out on one swim. The sea was beautifully clear and at the end of April cold enough to take your breath away and give you all the benefits, while still being able to stay in for a decent amount of time. Anna the chef was so lovely, she greeted us at every meal with delicious vegetarian fare and a beaming smile, always pleased to hear what we had been up to. In addition to the dips we spent time visiting Iona, Lunga and the adorable puffins, the weavers at Ardalanish - where we also saw the Gaelic Choir demonstrate waulking, and had a restorative yoga session in front of a crackling fire. We had a wonderful group and spent much of our free time chatting in the lounge or drinking wine in the log fired hot tub. It is definitely a trip that I shall hold in my heart forever, thank you Emma, Rachel and Anna for sharing your beautiful Mull with us.

Just returned from the Dip and Chill weekend. It was the perfect break, I’ve come away feeling incredibly restored by the clear, cold Scottish waters, the expertise of Emma and her team and the wonderful company of our brilliant group. Cold dipping, hot tub dipping, yoga, massages and incredible food with home baked bread and nourishing meals. And have met a group of folks that I feel like I’ve known for years. I didn’t want to leave, and I will definitely be back. Highly recommended 💙💙💙