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Three of us swimming

The best wild swimming spot, The Bridge of Dye, arcade games and a gorgeous caravan

We found the best swimming spot in all of Scotland, nae the whole of the UK, but I’m not going to share its location because then everyone will know and it’ll no longer be amazing. You’ll have to go and stay at Glen Dye to find it. What made it so amazing you ask?

The river with a steep bank on the other side flanked by forests.

First, the scenery: it’s on the edge of a beautiful forest while the other side of the river has a nice grassy bank for changing and leaving belongings. On entering the water there are natural steps made from stone taking you gradually deeper.

Looking up the river at the small rapids.

At one end there’s a lovely series of gentle rapids providing pleasant running water sounds while the other end has an almost perfect lap pool for swimming laps; the water is much deeper here too.

Elizabeth, Daniel and Ben in the water.

I don’t think nature could have created a more perfectly shaped naturally rectangular swimming pool.

Daniel and Ben swimming right up to the bend.
Another shot of Daniel and Ben swimming towards the bend.
Me, Ben and Daniel in the water.

The only downside is they forgot to heat the water for us and it was a little on the refreshing side.

I am absolutely in love with Glen Dye.

the Glen Dye sign with Clachnaben in the distance.

This is The Bridge of Dye which is one of the oldest remaining bridges in the north east of Scotland, dating back to 1680. It is a single granite arch spanning 43 feet.

The Bridge of Dye
Another angle of the Bridge of Dye
Ben on the bridge in the middle at the top of the arch with the stream visible below.

Yesterday we tried the woodland sauna.

Looking out from the sauna at the forest

Next to the sauna is an outdoor shower with freezing cold water so you can run between the sauna and the cold shower for hot/cold therapy or just for fun because that’s what the cool kids do.

Me standing in the outdoor shower

There is also a clubhouse with pool, table tennis, an antique football table and vintage arcade games. I couldn’t drag Ben away from Space Invaders. Technically I believe the game is called Galaga, a 1981 arcade game by Namco, but it was similar to Space Invaders which we also played.

Ben playing Galaga
The clubhouse with a sign outside "You have such light about you."
Inside the clubhouse showing the pool table, arcade games and table tennis.

If there wasn’t already enough quirky stuff to ogle at there’s also the Showman’s Caravan which has been decorated by artist/designer Gail Bryson and where everything inside is for sale. The caravan is gorgeous on the inside, not just because it’s so beautifully decorated but because all the fittings are timber and made with real craftsmanship.

The Showman's Caravan from the outside. A vintage blue caravan with three windows and a door.

I would be very happy to sleep in here.

Inside the caravan showing timber fittings and a beautiful made bed plus the table all set up for dinner.

Even the light switch is something to admire.

A metal old-fashioned light switch
The Water of Dye with forests all around

Beautiful, unspoilt Glen Dye.

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2 responses to “The best wild swimming spot, The Bridge of Dye, arcade games and a gorgeous caravan”

  1. Denise Avatar
    Denise

    It does look cold! But beautiful. I like that feeling when you just start to feel a bit lightheaded and then get out and warm up.

    The space invaders reminds me of the pinball museum at Rotterdam, where you get to see all sorts of old machines. I did think about getting a virtual pinball machine for the house, but on reflection I think the novelty would wear off. The house is too full of my musical instruments anyway. We have a Ukrainian refugee staying with her 2 year old, and the baby loves music, so I think that was a good way to go.

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    1. Rachel M Avatar
      Rachel M

      Yes that’s the nicest thing about cold water swimming – once you take the plunge and get used to it you feel so great when you get out.
      I wouldn’t mind playing Space Invaders again but I think you can probably play it online or without the large arcade machine which is expensive and does take up too much space. That’s lovely that you’re housing a Ukrainian refugee. I didn’t realise that program was still happening but of course it must be as the war is still going on.

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