Beneath the Black Cuillin, the River Brittle steps down through a chain of pools so clear they look Photoshopped — waterfalls, a natural stone arch, water in blues Scotland has no administrative right to. The walk from the car park is an easy forty minutes; the swim is a screaming, wonderful ambush at any time of year, so most people take a wetsuit. Go at dawn in summer to dodge both crowds and midges. Neoprene gloves are the veteran's tip.
Featured in Ten wild swimming and water adventures across Europe · Adventure