#lochindorb

A grouse, a goose and a duke,

Red Grouse in Scotland, Lakeside Greylag gosling and of Burgundy butterfly,

Glorious moments watching them, treasured as though a fluke,

09/04/2023-Day 1 of the Scotland trip 

Pictures taken that day in this set are of: 1. A marvelous Mountain Hare, I was amazed to see a few of these. 2. A reflective view at the stunning Loch Garten a place I love so much. 3. A lovely Lapwing we got a close view of from the minibus at Lochindorb. 4. A Red Grouse by Lochindorb, a beautiful star bird of the trip. 5. Lochindorb. 6. Hoof fungus at RSPB Loch Ruthven. 7. View at Loch Ruthven. 8. Slavonian Grebe at Loch Ruthven, it was an honour to see them in their gorgeous summer plumage for the first time, seeing this species I love in this way that I never had before was a true highlight of the Scotland trip. 9. Loch Garden. 10. View near Cromdale. 

Lochindorb - Gaelic Loch of Trouble?

Lochindorb made my 2016 swim wish list after my friend and old swim partner Chris told me stories of his lone swims in the dark waters of this foreboding loch. Located on the desolate Dava Moor there was nothing inviting about the initial drive in, aside from the nervous anticipation in my stomach. 

The Loch is home to a ruined Castle, once the stronghold of a notorious 14th Century lord know as the Wolf of Badenoch. Rumours of a secret walkway to the castle just a foot under the surface made the darkness all the more alluring. 

I first visited Lochindorb earlier on this week but in a bitter wind and driving sleet that chilled my bones and turned my hands all manner of colours in seconds, I didn’t fancy my chances of getting anywhere near the water. I made the decision to walk away and return again later in the week.

Grateful of a break in the clouds and some sunshine, we did noticed that the ice had closed off more of the lake and was thicker, still reminiscent of my recent trip on the Baltic Sea. Choosing a spot with a few metres of broken ice to cross to reach the water, it felt ok. I was more concerned about the large boulders underfoot (I am left very unstable on rough terrain from my back injury). 

“It feels ok” is a phase I often declare when I first reach water, and it does feel ok. Only this didn’t feel ok once my shoulders were under and my hands and fingers were trying to propel me through the darkness. It was sharp, bitter, and cut so quickly to my hands I had to take them out. I thought about my ice swimming experiences in Finland a few weeks ago and how that felt in comparison and began to wonder if this in fact was much colder. 

The theory of depth, verses elevation, verses wind was certainly true with Lochindorb, it is relatively shallow, in a very exposed location, high on the Moors.