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Arisaig, Scotland

  • 4 Dec – 7 Dec 2026
  • Arisaig, UK & Channel Islands
  • From £999pp
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Every December, SwimQuest takes over the magnificent Traigh House on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands for what has become one of our most-loved and most-anticipated weekends of the year. It's part winter swimming adventure, part festive celebration - and full of fun, fun and festivity.
Duration
4 Nights
Distance per day
0.5-1km
Water temperature
4-8°C
Max. group size
12
Ability level
All Abilities
Swim type
Lake, Open Water, Sea
Non-swimming Partners
Welcome
Technique coaching
Not Included

Expect breathtaking scenery on this adventure, with cosy home-cooked food, life affirming sea temperatures and comfortable accommodation with a vista. The tour will include sea and freshwater loch swims to really take in the splendour. Come with a sense of adventure, plenty of warm kit and a big appetite!

Our SwimQuest Christmas tour has become somewhat of a favourite with our guests, and has evolved into a trip of winter swimming (or ‘dipping’), fabulous food, drink, laughter and festivity. There is no pressure to swim on this trip, however we usually run two or three short winter dips a day for those who are willing, followed up by wonderful food and time to chill around the log fire. On the second evening, sit down with us for a homemade Christmas dinner (with all the trimmings) followed by games and carols by candlelight. We can guarantee this trip won’t disappoint.

Highlights

Mysterious Loch Morar

Morar is the deepest freshwater loch in the British Isles, plunging to 310 metres below the surface. Set amid dramatic Highland scenery, this is a wild, atmospheric dip to remember.

View of Traigh House Scotland at night
The historical Traigh House

Our base for this tour is Traigh House, nestled three miles north of Arisaig in 500 acres of its own private woods and hills. Yards away from stunning white beaches, it is the perfect place to enjoy the views and cosy up after a swim.

Dazzling coastline

Wrapped in dramatic Highland scenery and crisp winter light, these white shallow clear water bays offer invigorating swims and beautiful views.

Full of festivities

Share our Traigh House traditions! Mince pies, mulled wine, carols by candlelight, Secret Santa, and a full Christmas feast. You won't leave hungry.

Itinerary

Day 1

A Scottish welcome

The afternoon begins with drinks, snacks and a warm welcome in the Drawing Room, before our first dip followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Guests then make their way through to the dining room for dinner at 7pm.
Day 2

Camusdarach and Loch Morar

After breakfast in the Dining Room we head to the beautiful Camusdarach beach for our first swim of the weekend - a gentle introduction to the Scottish sea. Lunch is served back at the house at 12.30pm, before the afternoon takes us somewhere rather special: Loch Morar, the deepest body of freshwater in the British Isles, for a magical sunset dip. Back at Traigh House, afternoon tea is waiting for you in the Drawing Room. Enjoy some time round the fire playing games, reading a book or chatting before supper is served followed by cheese and mulled wine.
Day 3

Loch a' Nostaire and Christmas Dinner

The day begins with breakfast at 9am, followed by a morning walk and swim at Loch a' Nostaire. We will head back for lunch in the Dining Room, before an afternoon swim along the sandy beaches at Silver Sands. A well deserved afternoon tea will be ready upon our return from the day's activities. Finally, Christmas dinner with all the trimmings will be served in the dining room rounded off with carols, presents and - for anyone still awake - games!
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Accommodation

Traigh House
    WIFI

Traigh House is an ideal hub for our adventure, just yards from the from the stunning white beaches of Arisaig. We could think of nowhere more idyllic for a Christmas weekend, complete with an open fire, dining room, drawing room, grand piano and games room – cosy up and let us spoil you!

View of Traigh House Scotland at night
Rooms
The base trip price is based on you sharing a twin or double room. If you are travelling solo we'll pair you with a same-sex roommate, or if you’d like a room to yourself, choose a sole use room when booking.
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What's included

Included
  • Accommodation in Traigh House
  • Swimming, assisted by safety boats if required and always escorted by swim guide/s
  • Breakfasts
  • Traditional home-cooked lunches
  • Dinners
  • Alcohol with evening meals
  • Home cooked snacks and cakes
  • A SwimQuest poncho and a SwimQuest swim cap
  • Transfer to / from Arisaig
  • All swim transfers (although if you intend to drive and would be happy to help with short shuttles, we would be hugely grateful!)
  • VAT
  • ABTOT Financial Protection
Not included
  • Travel to and from Traigh House (guests are advised to travel to Arisaig station where we can arrange pick ups)
  • Wetsuits and fins (if required)
  • Any alcohol not served with meals
  • Single room supplement (£199)

Getting there

Getting to Traigh House
Trip begins 2pm Friday
Train to Fort William

The easiest way to get to Traigh House is to first take a train to Fort William. The sleeper train from London to Fort William is an excellent option.

Fort William to Arisaig/Mallaig

You will then take a connecting train from Fort William to either Arisaig or Mallaig station.

 

We will then pick you up from Arisaig / Mallaig station and bring you to Traigh House. 

Driving from the south / Fort William

Take the A830 (“the Road to the Isles”) northwards towards Mallaig. Staying on this road, drive past Arisaig, and after the end of the Arisaig speed restriction (about 1/2 mile), take the first left on to the Alternative Coastal Road (brown sign). This is the B8008 and is signed to “Back of Keppoch” and “An Traigh, Local Services and Traigh Golf Course”. Follow this Alternative Coastal Road past the golf course (2.0 miles), until you reach a white gatehouse on the right of the road (2.3 miles). Go through the gate posts immediately to the left of the gatehouse, and follow the gravel drive to the large white house, which is set back about 100 yards from the sea. Gravelled parking area is adjacent to the south edge of the house and the wall of the walled garden.

Driving from the north / Mallaig

Take the A830 southwards towards Fort William for approx 3.5 miles. Immediately after the bridge over the River Morar, take the first right on to the B8008, the Alternative Coastal Road (brown sign). Follow this road for 2.3 miles, past Camusdarach – and just when the road runs alongside a beach once more, turn left off the road through gateposts on to a drive (north drive – you will see the white Gatehouse on the far side of the meadow/lawn as you make the turn) which leads up to the large white house.

Trip finishes 10am Monday

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