On the Day

The swim route starts at South Kessock pier. There are two turn points marked with giant orange swim buoys. You'll start by swimming out towards the North Kessock pier. Just before you reach the pier you'll make your first turn right towards the Kessock Bridge. You'll then swim a short distance to the second buoy before making another turn right to head for the finish back at the South Kessock pier. See the map pictured below.

We reserve the right to amend the swim route on the day. For example, high winds may make the crossing unsafe, but we may still be able to offer a safe alternative route which hugs the coast without going over to North Kessock. Please see Section 5 of the terms & conditions for full details.

Event Timetable

0730 Car park & bike park open

0830 Registration open

1045 Registration closes, all swimmers go to the pier

1100 Mandatory safety brief for all swimmers

1115 Estimated start (may vary slightly according to tidal conditions on the day)

1215 Outgoing tide running faster - last swimmers out of the water

1330 Raffle & Presentations

'Timed' swimmers will be directed to the end of the pier nearest the water and will start first. 'Non-Timed' swimmers will be held further up the pier, and will start shortly after the timed swimmers.

The event centre will have the following facilities:

• Secure patrolled cycle parking
• Toilet facilities
• Male & female changing villages (not individual cubicles)
• "Dip area": a nice little beach adjacent to the pier where you can acclimatise just before the swim start
• Event registration
• Catering - to pick up your hot drink & light meal after the swim
• Trade stands
• Community charity information stands
• Visit the Old Ferry Ticket Office

You have four options for travel to the event centre. Event Location

• The best option for most swimmers and their supporters will be to walk or cycle. There will be a secure bike park adjacent to the event centre operating from 1400.
• Stagecoach buses 3 and 3A come to the South Kessock Turning Circle, adjacent to the Event Centre. There are four buses which travel through town on a Saturday morning to arrive in time for the event.
• If coming by car, the nearest parking is in the Telford & Glendoe Retail Park at Go Outdoor, The Job Centre, Stirling Furniture and Poundland. Postcode for your satnav is IV3 8DL. It is 1.5km from here to the event centre. Quite a long way, but it is a peaceful and scenic walk along the Caledonian Canal and through the Merkinch Local Nature Reserve. Please note there is absolutely no parking in the residential areas closer to the event centre. Doing so will harm community relations and jeopardise the future of the event.
• The final option only applies if you have mobility problems (or another valid reason). You can be dropped off at the South Kessock turning circle. Please add a free 'Drop Off Permit' ticket to your basket when entering. Please note that this is not a shuttle bus service from the Carse Industrial Estate. The drop-off permit just allows a friend to drop you off.