Price: £745pp (all inclusive except travel)
2023 dates: 1-4 December
WHAT IS THE SWIMQUEST CHRISTMAS WEEKEND?
ABOUT ARISAIG
Despite its ‘world away’ feel, Arisaig is easily accessible via train. The village of Arisaig (the Safe Place) is centred on the sheltered shore of Loch nan Ceall (Loch of the Cells) on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands, and is nestled at the base of rocky Creag Mhor, the Sgurr an t’Sasunnaich (peak of the Englishman) and the Sgurr an Albanaich (peak of the Scotsman). It spreads west along the beautiful Rhu road, strewn with sandy white beaches and north along the shore towards Morar Loch – the deepest freshwater body in the British Isles (with a maximum depth of 310m).ABOUT TRAIGH HOUSE
Our base and accommodation for this tour is the historical Traigh House, nestled three miles north of Arisaig, in 500 acres of its own private woods and hills. Just yards away from stunning white beaches, it is the perfect place to enjoy stunning views of the Inner Hebrides and cosy up ready for a Scottish swimming adventure. Sleeping 16 people, Traigh House is fully equiped with central heating, log fires, beautiful drawing rooms complete with grand piano, a games room, drying room, a private walled garden and views over the sea and surrounding mountains. The house was also used as an SOE training base in the 1940s. By the way … if you can play the piano on request – we’ll give you a 10% discount! Dogs are also welcome, but please pre-arrange with the SwimQuest office.
IS THIS WINTER SWIMMING TRIP IN SCOTLAND FOR ME?
Expect breathtaking scenery, cosy home-cooked food, life affirming sea temperatures and comfortable accommodation with a vista. The tour will include sea and freshwater loch swims, subject to weather conditions. This trip really is suitable for all abilities. Come with a sense of adventure, plenty of warm kit and a big appetite!USEFUL INFORMATION
- Sea temperature: approx 5-10˚C
- Loch temperature: approx. 4-8˚C
- Daily swimming distance: up to 1km maximum (although more likely short winter dips!)
- Swimming ability: This location is suitable for both beginners and more advanced swimmers, although ideally you should have some form of cold water acclimatisation for this winter tour. If you are not sure what we mean, feel free to give us a call and ask for some advice.
- Are non-swimmers welcome? Absolutely – non-swimmers are welcome to join the tour and take advantage of this beautiful area.
- Start and finish: Start – 5pm, Finish – 10am
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
- Accommodation in Traigh House (private walled garden, grand piano, kitchen with aga, washing facilities, drying room, log fires, central heating, linen and towels, games room and wifi included)
- 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
- SwimQuest swim cap
- SwimQuest dry bag
- 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
WHAT’S 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 (£190)
ABOUT TRAIGH HOUSE
Traigh House, Arisaig, Inverness-shire PH39 4NT
We will be staying in family owned Traigh House just metres from the sea. Based on twin share rooms (single supplement option £190 for the weekend, please let the office know if you require a private room if you haven’t already), the setting is unspoilt, idyllic and peaceful. Traigh House is an ideal base for a Christmas weekend, complete with a large kitchen, dining room, drawing room, grand piano and games room - cosy up and let us spoil you! Dogs are also welcome at Traigh House, however there is a charge of £25 per dog, please contact the SwimQuest office to arrange.
LOCATION
Traigh House is located about three miles north of Arisaig, six miles south of Mallaig, and forty miles west of Fort William, by road. It lies to the east of the B8008, which follows the coast west of the A830 Fort William to Mallaig road. The B8008 begins on the left, half a mile north of Arisaig. Traigh translates from Gaelic as beach, and reflects the sandy beaches to the west of the B8008.TRAIGH HISTORY
During World War II, Traigh House was requisitioned for training and used by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) as a Special Training School, designated STS25c. Its specific function is unknown.
ITINERARY
There are two planned swims per day. Please realise that the below is a very rough guide and that we will adapt the weekend carefully to suit the group and the Scottish weather conditions!Friday
Drinks, snacks and welcome in the Drawing Room- 6pm briefing with mulled wine and mince pies
- 7pm dinner in the dining room
Saturday
8.30am breakfast in the Dining Room- 11.30am morning swim (Traigh Bay)
- 12.30pm lunch served in the Dining Room
- 2.00pm afternoon swim in Loch Morar
- 4pm afternoon tea served in the drawing room
- 8pm Christmas dinner, with all the trimmings!
- 9.30pm Carols, presents and games
Sunday
9am breakfast- 10.30 morning walk and swim along the Rhu Peninsula
- 12.30pm Lunch in the Dining Room
- 15.45pm afternoon swim along the sandy beaches towards Mallaig
- 4.30pm afternoon tea served in the drawing room
- 8pm sunday supper served in the dining room
- 9pm cheese and mulled wine by the fire
Monday
Pre breakfast dip- Breakfast and departures (check out 10am)
Travel to Traigh House
The easiest way to get to Traigh House is to take a train to Fort William and then a connecting train to Mallaig / Arisaig. We can pick you up from Arisaig / Mallaig station. The sleeper train from London to Fort William is an excellent option.DIRECTIONS FOR DRIVING TO TRAIGH HOUSE
Post code PH39 4NT
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.
From 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.
What do I pack?
- At least 3 swimming costumes
- Wetsuit (if you would like to wear one - optional) - our Partners at Zone3 offer a wide range of wetsuits, including the eco Yulex natural rubber range HERE and you get 20% OFF all full price Zone3 products with code : SWIMQUEST
- Two Pairs of swim goggles – ideally one clear and one tinted
- Towel for the beach (though bath towels are provided)
- Tow float (required) - if you haven’t got one yet, you can find a great range from Swim Secure HERE and receive 15% off with code: 15SwimQuest23
- Waterproof walking boots / comfortable walking shoes (it may be very wet + muddy in places!)
- VERY WARM CLOTHING fleece or warm jumper, tracksuit trousers/sweat pants for putting on immediately after swimming.
- Sandals/aqua shoes / flip flops – for getting wet
- Dryrobe / similar (optional)
- Waterproof jacket
- Woolly hat, scarf and gloves
- Small daypack/rucksack to use for your personal equipment/clothing during the day (although you will receive a 10L SwimQuest dry bag to keep)
- Slippers for keeping feet warm in the house and making you feel at home (optional)
- Head torch (optional)
- Insurance (for non-UK residents)
- Entertainment (music, board games etc, optional)
- Festive spirit
READY TO BOOK?
We’re excited about meeting you on tour. To book your swimming holiday, simply fill in the booking form below. Once you have submitted the form, Charlie (our bookings co-ordinator) will be in touch to request payment and to help you with any additional requirements. A deposit of 30% is required to secure your place, and the final payment is due 10 weeks prior to departure. Payments can be made by debit / credit card, by cheque, or by bank transfer.
In booking with us, you accept our terms and conditions, which can be found here. If at any point you have any questions, feel free to contact us:
Charlie Beere | +44 7563 389238 | charlotte@swimquest.uk.com
Alice Todd | +44 7825 301443 | alice@swimquest.uk.com
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel Insurance
As a SwimQuest guest, you are required to have in place travel insurance that covers you for all activities you will be taking part in during your trip. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully covered for these activities.Whatever travel policy you decide on, you will need to bring a copy of your current Certificate of Insurance to the safety briefing at the start of your SwimQuest holiday. Your swim Guides will need to take a note of your insurer, policy number and the number to call in case of an emergency claim.
Please note, if you are a UK resident and eligible for free health cover via the NHS, you do not need to take our a travel insurance policy for our UK based trips. You may still wish to take out insurance to cover you for events such as trip cancellation, luggage and personal liability.
World Nomads Travel Insurance
World Nomads travel insurance has been designed by travellers for travellers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.World Nomads do not offer cover over 65s, however if you are over 65 and looking for insurance, you may wish to browse some of the below price comparison sites. Please note - we are unable to advise on the suitability of any particular insurance policy.
United Kingdom
If you are travelling from the US or another country, we suggest you use a travel insurance comparison site based in your own country in order to decide on a suitable policy.VIEW OUR SCOTLAND GALLERY
