Kessock Ferry SwimSunday 6th July 2025

Live Event Updates

Saturday 5th July 1500. Over the weekend we are focussed on safely closing down the event and minimising disruption to our local community. We want to put on the record our thanks to all those who have shared messages of support since our decision to cancel this year's event. We would also like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers and suppliers who have been absolutely brilliant in difficult circumstances. Most of all we understand the frustration and disappointment this decision has caused for all our swimmers. We will issue a full statement early next week.
 

Friday 4th July 2030. We are very sorry to announce that the 2025 Kessock Ferry Swim has been cancelled. Our expert water safety team has been meeting throughout the week, constantly assessing all the best information available. The current weather forecast is for gusts around 20mph / Force 4, with a worsening trend over the next 48 hours. The sea state on Sunday morning is therefore likely to be small waves with fairly frequent white horses. We cannot safely stage the event we all love in these conditions.

There is no possibility to reschedule the event this year due to the complex combination of tide times and many other factors which are necessary.

After a year of hard graft to get this event off the ground we are absolutely gutted. We had so hoped to put on another great day with all the wonderful swimmers, volunteers and event team.

Friday 4th July 1400. Weather update: we are closely monitoring the current weather situation. There is wind and rain forecast leading up to the event which has the potential to affect conditions on the day. There is a possibility of cancellation. Our whole team is focussed on the safety of the event. We will issue a further update later this evening.

Parking & Event Map

Event Sponsor

This year we are proud to be working with the Black Isle Brewery to bring you the Kessock Ferry Swim.

"The driving force behind what we do at Black Isle has always amounted to something much bigger than brewing great beer alone. We want to demonstrate that this can be done using naturally grown barley and hops, supporting organic farmers and growers who also care for the environment and their communities. We are delighted to be able to support Aban, with whom we share many key values, particularly in our vision for reconnecting young people with nature and the great outdoors."

Black Isle Brewery will be entering a very slow-paced team, as well as supplying alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers for swimmers and supporters on the day.

2025 Community Partner - Merkinch Primary School Parent Council

Merkinch Primary is the centre of the Merkinch Community. There is a role of 300 children all from the Merkinch area whose parents live and work there. The Parent Council are involved in frequent forms of community engagement such as Bingo nights, children's seasonal functions, fetes and fairs, car boots sales and the like.

We are looking to raise funds so that our children can get great experiences while learning. We will use the £1500 Community Partner Grant to purchase educational material such as software and equipment the school requests. We will also use some of the funds to purchase essentials to enable our community functions. As Merkinch Primary school is classed as a deprived setting we are trying to raise funds so that the children within the school don't feel they are missing out on activities that other schools may experience and for days out that the kids have not had since pre covid. 

Since we restarted the event in 2022, we have built up a friendly Facebook community where you can see photos, ask questions, meet other swimers and generally get excited for the event! Click here to join.