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Bad weather fails to deter New Year swimmers

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Persistent rain and choppy water failed to deter 26 people who were determined to take part in a bracing New Year dip in a Highland loch today.

One of the swimmers, Morag Hughes, said it was the roughest water they had experienced in the 11 years since the event began.

But she insisted that everyone who took part still enjoyed the traditional New Year celebration in Loch Shiel at Glenfinnan in Lochaber.

The 58-year-old learning disability nurse, who lives in Corpach, explained that no one organises the event.

She said: “Everyone knows it’s on and they just come along.

“There were a few less people than last year, but I think 26 was pretty good with the weather we had as I’m sure that put a few people off.

“It was raining all the time, but not too windy. However, there was quite a swell on the loch making it the roughest we’ve had it so far.”

Ms Hughes said the only consolation was that the wet weather meant milder conditions, with an air temperature of 9C and the water was at 6C.

She said: “I’m a seasoned open water swimmer so I didn’t find it too bad, but some people found it a bit cold.

“A couple from Denmark joined us this year and I think they found it really cold.”

She added that many of the swimmers just took a dip in the loch, but six of them, including Ms Hughes, swam out to and around a buoy that was about 65ft from the shore.

Ms Hughes said: “People come from Fort William, Arisaig and all over to take part.

“It’s become a tradition and a fun thing to do on New Year’s Day.”

After their swim, they enjoyed a glass of sparkling wine and some chocolates at Glenfinnan House Hotel.

Ms Hughes, who swam the English Channel in 2010, believed herself to be first person to swim the 12-mile length of Loch Morar, when she did so for charity last year.

She was also the first person to swim the 12.5-mile length of Loch Maree, when she completed the feat in 2013.