We love the Lochs and set up this '3 Loch Challenge' to drink our fill of them in one big go!

This Loch Adventure had been planned well in advance and due to logistics required had caused so much excitement and anticipation. Loch Ness for a starter and Loch Awe to finish the adventure off. The team in swim order were Danny Ralph, Gareth Rees, Dave Quartermain, Neil Stewart, Karen Smith and support crew Debbie Ralph and Craig Gilchrist.
The weather forecast was checked and it had predicted a small wind which would be oncoming, however with a Force 1-2 we decided to start in the direction we had originally planned. All strong swimmers. The water temperature was a toasty 16 degrees, the warmest we have even known Ness.

However after 8 hours of swimming the wind had really increased and was hitting more of a Force 4 to 5, as this was oncoming it created a difficult situation and the wave heights turned swimming into surfing. We slowly edged our way over to the shore line in order to find shelter but Nessie was brewing up a storm. As we had Loch Awe planned the next morning the decision was made to call the swim and give us a better chance of cracking out a Loch Awe. So after 10 hours of swimming with each doing 2 swims, we pulled our boat out and made our way to Loch Awe.

Loch Awe was still with low lying mist. The relay format continued. The weather forecast was to be Force 2 wind which would be across us, but after Ness blow up we were ready for anything. The team were extremely giddy and as the heavy rain showers came followed a rainbow then short bursts of sunshine accompanied with still waters.

The playlist of the day was swimming themed and as we played "The Swimming Song" we each decided to take inspiration and chose to embrace just what the lyrics said. Dave decided his swim shorts were too tight after 10 minutes of his swim and off they came, which then seemed to ignite the desire to swim naked for the boys with Gareth cannonballing off the boat naked and Neil taking on the swallow dive from the boats helm. It was a fantastic day on the Loch and each of us gave 110% in our swims.


As we made our way to the official end Kilchurn Castle Danny decided to go naked too and as he approached the finish, we all jumped in to join him ( yep naked) leaving Dave to drive the boat. 10 hours and 57 mins we had completed the Loch and had an absolutely fabulous day out.

Check out the video to see our Adventure and how you can get 4 seasons in 1 day.