Book Lists

Open Water Swim Books

Informative Books on Wild Swimming, Scottish and UK Destinations

How To Read Water

Author: Tristan Gooley

A well presented and informative read. From the author of “The Walker’s Guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs” this book is an essential piece of kit for the Open Water Swimmer. Tristan Gooley outlines his knowledge, observations and interpretations of water movement. He gives us direction and clues to develop the observational skills required to identify key signs in a variety of bodies of water. Examples from puddles, streams and lochs to rivers, estuaries and seas. He draws on historical navigational pioneers and his own observations and experiences merging these neatly into well structured and easy to read chapters, which can be read in isolation or enjoyed within the fullness of the book as a whole.

Buy from Portobello Book Shop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

The Wim Hof Method

Author: Wim Hof

Wim Hof shares both his life story and his knowledge / experiences with Cold Water Immersion. He introduces his three-pillar approach, where you can learn to harness the three key elements of Cold, Breathing and Mindset. A great read, regardless of whether or not you choose to follow his methods. He outlines, so many of the benefits which have been brought to us recently through the media. His personal achievements are phenomenal and he encourages each one of us to use his guide to improve our health and performance, although perhaps not go as far as emulating his daring feats!

Buy from Portobello Book Shop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

Winter Swimming

Author: Dr Susanna Soberg

A beautifully illustrated book which explores the traditions of cold-water swimming and dipping in Scandinavia and beyond. Dr Susanna provides detail of why Winter Swimming provides such a boost to both body and soul, through this shared experience in the outdoors and in nature. This wonderful outdoor activity can influence our happiness, our energy and our inner tranquility, and give us that winter glow.

Dr Susanna explains the “cold-shock response” and explores the endorphin rush as our body reacts and adapts to very cold temperatures through the winter season. Our circulation, heart, lungs and skin respond positively to this experience, as do our immune systems, our metabolism and mental health.

Buy from Portobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

The Art of Wild Swimming Series

What makes the perfect swim? It’s all about the most magical locations (and how to protect them), finessing your kitbag, keeping yourself and others safe … and maybe discovering a nice place for a warm-up cuppa and cake. Whether you’re a seasoned dipper or a fledgling, The Art of Wild Swimming is the ultimate guide to becoming an awesome, joyful and responsible swimmer. (Publisher’s Synopsis)

The Art of Wild Swimming – Scotland

From the dramatic turquoise bays of Orkney to the peaty lochs of the Cairngorms, the thundering waterfalls of Skye to the calm depths of a reservoir in the Pentlands. Locals who know the secrets of their patch share over 100 spectacular dookin’ spots across Scotland. Now they are yours to explore too. (Publisher’s Synopsis)

Authors: Vicky Allan and Anna Deacon

Buy from Portobello Book shop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

The Art of Wild Swimming – England and Wales

Authors: Vicky Allan and Anna Deacon

From the otherworldly fens of the east to the vast dramatic waters of the Lake District, the thundering icy waterfalls of Snowdonia to the secluded sandy coves of Cornwall. Locals who know the secrets of their patch share over 100 spectacular swim spots across England and Wales. Now they are yours to explore too. (Publisher’s Synopsis)

Buy from Portobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

The Art of Wild Swimming – Ireland

Authors: Vicky Allan and Anna Deacon

From the dramatic Atlantic bays to cascading waterfalls and secret pools, the rugged Causeway Coast to the secluded loughs of the Wicklow Mountains, locals who know the secrets of their patch share over 100 spectacular swim spots across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Now they are yours to explore too. (Publisher’s Synopsis)

Buy from Blackwells – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

1001 Outdoor Swimming Tips

Author: Calum MacLean

I loved the approach of this light-hearted and informative guide. There are some laugh out loud moments as Calum explores everything Wild Swimming, Outdoor Swimming and Cold Water.

This is not an instruction manual – it is much more useful and entertaining than that. This is a huge collection of small tips to make a real difference to your outdoor swimming, whether you’re planning your first Winter Swims, hoping to enjoy some icy swims the depths of the Scottish winter – this book will take you through everything you need to know.

Buy from Portobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

Dips and Chips

Authors: Penny Wilkin and Emma O’Brien

Dips and Chips is an illustrated guide to wild swimming across Central England. It has over 60 swims in it along with lots of useful advice about how to get started with wild swimming. What makes this book different is the beautiful illustrations of each swim with hand drawn pictures painted by Emma Jane O’Brien. We’ve been to and swam at every single swimming location so we know exactly what each swim is like and usually have a funny story to tell.

Buy from You Can Coaching – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

Blue Scotland

Author: Mollie Hughes

Scotland is famed for its rugged coastlines, pristine beaches, endless rivers and deep lochs. The whole country is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. In this unique guide, adventurer Mollie Hughes introduces many of her favourite places to paddleboard, kayak, swim and surf. Mixing world-class surfing breaks with kayaking adventures on the west coast, and urban paddleboarding along the Clyde with invigorating swims in the lochs of the Cairngorms, the book shows us how to access and enjoy these varied blue spaces. Mollie includes her own personal experiences and tips, enabling wild watersports fans of all levels to make the most of the amazing opportunities Scotland has to offer. (Publisher’s Synopsis)

Buy from Portobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

2000 Wild Swims

Author: Rob Fryer

Rob Fryer has constructed this book of Wild Swims across Europe from a wealth of personal experience. He was Chair of Farleigh and District Swimming Club and in 2003 founded RALS (Rivers and Lakes Swimming Association) in order to campaign on the rights of access to swim. Although we are lucky here in Scotland to have a more Open Access code than that of other nations, it is testament to Rob and campaigners like him, that the upsurge in popularity of this fabulous outdoor pursuit will not be as hampered by a lack of access to the wealth of water within the British Isles. Each swim location has a Grid Reference and short description of how to access the spot with a ket to indicate the potential hazards and dangers.

Buy from Rob Fryer – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

Wish You Were Still Here – The Scottish Seaside Holiday

Author: Eric Simpson

I love this book and all that it shows of what we had here around our Scottish coasts. It is devastating to note how much of this infrastructure has disappeared. The Worldwide package holidays and warm weather enticing most of us off to exotic resorts in the Summer. Lockdown showed us all what a wonderful place Scotland is and we explored our local areas with “new eyes”

As one of our key forms of leisure and mass entertainment, tourism was a major growth industry of the nineteenth century and this growth continued into the twentieth century. Starting in the golden age of the Victorian and Edwardian resorts, Eric Simpson explores the ways and means whereby the Scottish people were able to enjoy the benefits of seaside and other holidays, including how they travelled, the things they did and where they stayed. This book, therefore, is not just about the holidaymakers but embraces too the many people in the resorts who made their livelihood in the tourist industry. Sporting activities, for spectators no less than participants, were and still are very important, especially golf. So too was swimming and one of the extraordinary features of the early twentieth century was the craze for open-air seawater swimming pools in a country that is not renowned for great warmth. Many Scottish towns, both large and small, ran into debt to construct the open-air swimming ponds that once dotted the coastline. In the large resorts there were entertainments for the masses. But in the wee quiet places, holidaymakers had to find their own ways of spending their time with bathing, country walks and sports always popular. (Publisher’s Synopsis)

Buy from Blackwells – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

Wild Swimming

Author: Daniel Start

Buy from Portobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow the 2008 version from Maree

Books with “Wild Swimming” Reflections

Taking The Plunge

Authors: Vicky Allan and Anna Deacon

Vicky and Anna set out to capture in both words and pictures the experience that is “Wild Swimming” With stunning photographs and personal stories this is a super coffee table book. The stories range from experienced swim guides and distance swimmers to beginners. From those looking for quietness and solitude to those craving social interaction. From mental health benefits, recovery from injury and dealing with loss to just the sheer joy of being in the water, with like minded folk.

Buy from Portobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

Reflective Books on Wild Swimming

Waterlog

Author: Roger Deakin

Roger Deakin explores the British Isles and the variety of swimming environments available to those of an inquisitive nature. It is a personal journey, where he reflects on the historical and modern perspective of swimming within these diverse climes. It is again possible to read Chapters within this book in isolation, indeed the photograph is of me reading an excerpt aloud to my group of swimmers after a Summer Expedition to The Trossachs.

Buy from Portobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

The Salt Path

Author: Raynor Winn

I read this book in two days. Completely captivating, a heart wrenching story with wonderful descriptions of emotions and scenery entwined.

“Just days after Raynor learns that Moth, her husband of 32 years, is terminally ill, their home is taken away and they lose their livelihood. With nothing left and little time, they make the brave and impulsive decision to walk the 630 miles of the sea-swept South West Coast Path, from Somerset to Dorset, via Devon and Cornwall.

Carrying only the essentials for survival on their backs, they live wild in the ancient, weathered landscape of cliffs, sea and sky. Yet through every step, every encounter and every test along the way, their walk becomes a remarkable journey.

The Salt Path is an honest and life-affirming true story of coming to terms with grief and the healing power of the natural world. Ultimately, it is a portrayal of home, and how it can be lost, rebuilt and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.” (Publisher’s Synopsis)

Buy from Portobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow from Maree

The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming (Reflections for Zen Seekers)

Author: Tessa Warrdley

The Mindful Art of Wild Swimming explores how swimming in rivers, lakes, and seas is the very epitome of conscious living. Zen-seeker Tessa Wardley reconnects the physical and spiritual cycles of life to the changing seasons and flow of wild waters worldwide and leads the reader on to a mindful journey through the natural world. With expert insight and personal anecdote, she shares a sparkling clarity on why our relationship with open water is so fundamental to pure wellbeing, and reveals how wild swimming can be the ultimate Zen meditation.

Pre-Order new Edition from Porobello Bookshop – HERE

WSS Members can request to borrow the 2017 edition from Maree