Jackson lends helping hand in Strath snow
The Strath experienced heavy snowfall this week as Storm Darcy hit Scotland.
With temperatures plummeting and thick snow falling from the skies, it made for picturesque viewing across the county - as well as some treacherous conditions on the roads.
Forecasters predicted up to 20cm of snow fall from Storm Darcy, with the Met Office issuing a yellow weather warning in the area for much of the week.
Storm Darcy has been triggered by a huge area of low pressure over northern Europe.
This has created easterly winds, which has drawn cold up from Ukraine and the Black Sea in eastern Europe.
The weather system has been nicknamed“The Beast from the East II” after the Siberian storm that brought extreme weather to the UK in 2018.
Many youngsters in the Strath made the most of the snowy conditions though, with Jackson Brock (2) helping to clear snow from his street with his tractor.
Strath residents have long been known to take to the local lochs and rivers for a quick dip or swim, and wild swimming is not a new concept in the area.
It seems the rest of the nation is catching up as the first lockdown saw more and more people test the waters as they looked for new ways to exercise outwith the gym and leisure centre setting.
However, there are a hard core of locals who are drawn to the water even in the midst of the winter weather.
It’s not for the faint-hearted or something that you should dive into unprepared.
Comrie’s Beth Field is challenging herself to a daily dip in Loch Earn throughout February to raise awareness of mental health issues. And most days she has been accompanied by mum Verena and son Felix.
Dipping, which only lasts a few minutes, is different from wild swimming.
Beth explained: “Wild swimming is fab but that’s if you really like swimming.
“Dipping for me is about being free and releasing those endorphins, boosting my immune system and reducing my stress levels.
“I’m dipping every day in February to raise awareness for mental health and to give myself a challenge.
“Dipping is challenging when the water is freezing but the real challenge is committing to doing it every day – that for me is the hardest bit!”
Beth, who owns local cleaning company Sweeping Betty, has been blogging about her dips on the company’s Facebook page.
She continued: “Hopefully for this month watching our posts will bring some joy into people’s homes as we all know it’s been the hardest year some of us have ever had to face, but my ultimate goal is to encourage people to take up the dip and start enjoying the amazing health benefits for themselves.”
Sandra McRitchie was also inspired to take a dip and has reaped rewards.
The Comrie grandmother is new to swimming outdoors and literally jumped in at the deep end by plunging into Loch Earn for the first time on a chilly winter’s day last month.
She said: “I decided that as my 60th year was fast running out I had better look at my list of goals and pick one that was achievable.
“I loved my first swim in a baltic Loch Earn with the support of an experienced friend – and no wetsuit.
“It was exhilarating and I did my best to concentrate on my breathing so as not to shiver.”
But despite only being in the water for less than five minutes, Sandra, who suffers from fibromyalgia and neuralgic pain felt the benefits.
She added: “The bonus for me was seven hours being pain-free afterwards.
“That might be a flash in the pan but I will find out with further swims.
“If I can do it in winter, I am really going to enjoy spring and summer in the loch and new locations.”
Hilary Williams is an experienced open water swimmer and finds time every day to swim outdoors, even taking a pick axe to the ice recently so she could access the Linn.
Hilary said: “That was my first ice swim and I didn’t know whether I would love it or hate it. “I loved it and will do it again.
“It left me on a high with adrenalin, and the endorphins in the brain got going.”
Hilary is a member of CLAWS – Comrie Ladies Association for Wild Swimmers – and in the summer will regularly swim for over an hour, and up to half an hour in winter.
Hilary said it has done her a lot of good during the pandemic.
She added: “I love the effect it has on my mental health – the effect of the cold water, plus the exercise, and being so close to nature.”
But Hilary stressed open water swimming is not for everybody and safety must be observed, adding: “It’s only for those who have the capacity to go into cold water, and certainly if you are not used to swimming in cold water – don’t do it.”
Water levels in local rivers can rise quickly and before going into the Linn, Hilary always checks the SEPA monitoring stations, which transmit data on the water levels every quarter of an hour – the water can rise by over a metre in that time depending on what is happening upstream.
Hilary warned: “Your body will continue to chill for about 20 minutes after you get out of the water so get out before you get really cold or you’ll become frozen afterwards and could become hypothermic.”
Seasoned-swimmer Josh Gibson from Crieff agrees that safety should be paramount.
Sunday afternoon saw him plunge into the freezing waters of Loch Turret for his fix – without a wetsuit.
Josh stressed that swimming in the winter is not something that should be attempted by beginners and advises caution.
He advocates study of the Wim Hoff method – techniques that help increase breathing efficiency and adaptation to cold.
“I’ve been doing it for a while so my body is accustomed to it,” said Josh.
“You need to know what you are doing and really think about what you are doing.
“If it’s your first time you need the proper equipment, and if you feel cold at all before going in don’t do it.”
“But if you are competent, it’s brilliant and very refreshing for the mind and soul.”