Wild Swimming & Writing Retreat 2024 in Loch Rannoch, Scotland

Overview

Wild Swimming & Writing Retreat 2024 in Loch Rannoch, Scotland

(*As seen on Channel 4’s ‘Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig & Doon Mackichan’)

About…

A unique bespoke Wild Swimming & Writing retreat on the banks of Loch Rannoch, Scotland - 26th September to 30th September 2024  (as featured in Outdoor Swimmer Magazine and Channel 4).

Travel Matters has partnered with a renowned hotel on the banks of Loch Rannoch. This outstanding new retreat runs for four nights and five days, facilitated by actress, writer and Channel swimmer Doon Mackichan. Morning swims in Loch Rannoch with invaluable information on safely swimming in cold water and the health benefits therein, will be followed by a writing workshop until lunchtime, then the afternoons are yours! We suggest that you roam through the hotel’s grounds and into the surrounding countryside, its cascading burns and the nearby ancient woodlands; where you will have the opportunity of seeing the local Golden Eagles, Ospreys, Otters, Red Squirrels and Sea Eagles. After a day of unleashing your creativity, please consider making the most of Rannoch Spa, which includes a 12-metre heated pool, steam room and sauna to propel your wellness journey.

You are cordially invited to take a step into the great unknown, and emerge rejuvenated, creative and powerful!

The Morning Dip

We will swim in Loch Rannoch each morning, with the impressive Schiehallion Mountain as your backdrop. Here, you will learn how to safely swim in cold water with breathing techniques, how to heat up your core and understand what happens to our bodies during and after immersion. You will experience the transforming benefits of cold water to the system, from improved circulation, muscle relief from pain and mental health. We will encourage you to feel the full benefits of cold water to body and mind by not wearing a wetsuit! Whether you just put a toe in, or swim for several minutes, we go at your pace. 

Why Wild Swimming?

In1995, Wim Hof and his ‘Wim Hof Method’ (WHM) became recognised in popular culture. The Dutch motivational speaker and extreme athlete suggested that the practice of Cold Water Immersion, willpower and breathing techniques could reduce symptoms of several diseases including; Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Corona Virus and Parkinson's disease. The British United Provident Association Limited, or BUPA, also advocate the use of cold water as a therapy and have reported that a humans body can benefit from cold water immersion and similar type therapies, with the results being (Wild, 2022):

• reducing muscle pain and stiffness after exercise, by reducing swelling and inflammation
• improving risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels
• boosting the immune system, helping to lower the risk of infection
• improving general wellbeing, and possibly helping with depression

Why not give it a go?

The Writing Workshop

Over three mornings, after breakfast, this course will be facilitated by Doon and will give you the chance to explore many different forms of writing from monologues, to stand-up comedy, from journals to free- writing. The cold water can help with the flow of writing. Some people may share their work at the end if that feels beneficial and you are free to decide what you want to write over these mornings. There will be one-to-one sessions with Doon to discuss your particular project should you so wish, and a chance to share some of your ideas and writing with the group if this feels beneficial. The water unblocks the writing, which in turn unlocks us, and helps us make sense of the world.

The Daily Programme

You will be given a journal at the beginning and are encouraged to write each day, longhand, in our private ‘Boat House’ that overlooks the loch. We prefer you not to have your phones on you except for taking pictures at swim and walk times, and check it only when you are in your rooms.  

For mealtimes, you will be able to indulge in exquisite dining at the restaurant, where locally sourced ingredients create culinary masterpieces. Whether you seek adventure or relaxation, the hotel offers a perfect retreat with its proximity to hiking trails, fishing spots, cycling trails and kayaking routes. Enjoy leisurely moments by the fireside in the lounge or savour a ‘Wee Dram’ of whisky at the hotel’s cosy bar. Loch Rannoch Hotel is not just a destination; it's an immersive escape into the enchanting beauty of Scotland, where every detail ensures an unforgettable experience.

Accommodation

Our elegant hotel partner invites you to experience unparalleled tranquillity nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Embrace the charm of this historic hotel, where breath-taking landscapes meet warm hospitality.

Guests will be able to enjoy beautiful interiors, reflected in the stylishly appointed rooms that blend modern comfort with traditional elegance. Depending on your booking preferences, you will either be hosted in a double room for sole occupancy or a twin/double bedroom, all of which have a private en-suite bathroom. All bedrooms have outstanding views of rolling hills, the countryside and Loch Rannoch. 

Your Hosts

Doon Mackichan is an Actress and Writer, known best for the double Emmy-award winning ‘Smack the Pony’ and more recently ‘Plebs’, ‘Toast of London’ and ‘Two Doors Down’. She is a published Writer and has been at the forefront of writing and performing some of the major comedies of the last two decades. She is also a Channel and Arctic Swimmer and is passionate about the benefits of cold water swimming, having swum in myriad bodies of water around the world.

Karen Simmonds is the Founder & CEO of Travel Matters. Karen has been providing tailor made holidays & experiences for 25 years. Her hunger for adventure has symbiotically merged with her sense of Sustainability, which inherently paved the way for the Make Travel Matter Campaign – aimed to ensure economic prosperity, social equality and environmental & cultural protection. Karen is an avid open-water swimmer and is well known amongst the swimming community in London.