The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
NO PLACE FOR FAINT HEARTS
Wild swimming fan Gayle joins the brave Angus Tour Dookers at their favourite plunge pool
Ifeel like I’m starring in a Timotei shampoo advert as I dunk my head under the waterfall... and gasp sharply. No, I’m not in some exotic, warm location (the Timotei ads were filmed in Turkey and Spain) – I’m in the heart of Angus. Arbirlot waterfall, however, has to be one of the most scenic and magical spots in Scotland. The water may be a little chilly but its deep plunge pool is just perfect for an invigorating splash around.
I’ve long been a fan of wild swimming, but somehow this blissful spot has eluded me until now.
I have to thank the recently-formed Angus Tour Dookers Facebook group for introducing me to it.
The group, which launched in February, has already gained more than 400 followers, and the numbers are rising fast.
A community of cold-water enthusiasts, members arrange group dooks and encourage
folk from all over the UK to join with locals to enjoy the many breathtaking salt and freshwater spots found across the region.
It’s 11am when I meet the group, boasting a friendly mix of people of all ages, and both men and women, and after a quick chat, we strip to our swimming gear and head down through woodland to the falls.
“You can jump right on in, or slide yourself in more gently here,” suggests avid dooker and Visit Angus ambassador Cameron Smith, who helped set up the group.
Given that it’s early-ish in the year, I’m wearing neoprene gloves, a woolly hat, cheap wetsuit socks and a pair of trainers to protect my feet, but still, I hesitate to chuck myself in, preferring to lower myself gently into the crystal clear waters.
It’s not as cold as I’d feared, and to whoops of encouragement, I start swimming around in circles, the grin on my face getting wider by the second.
Some of the group have been here before and aim straight for the “shower” under the falls. I’m more cautious, but go for it, getting my head (and hat) completely drenched in the spray. Note to self – next time, don’t wear a hat.
One man, Eoin Burness, is especially brave, shimmying up the rocks and into a “jacuzzi” higher up, before he slides back down into the main pool.
While it’s tempting to stay in for ages, therein lies the risk. If you allow yourself to get too cold, your core temperature will sink, your teeth will start chattering and you’ll take ages to warm up.
I manage about eight minutes before I bail, but Cameron, his mate Kev Meldrum, Eoin, his daughter Sara, and some hardy souls stay in longer.
Back on dry land, we towel off and get changed quickly. It’s fair to say everyone’s on a high! I’ve been savvy enough to bring a flask of coffee and boy, am I glad of it.
Cameron, who’s also founder of Arbroath Cliff Tours, helped come up with the idea of The Angus Tour Dookers alongside Visit Angus and Ginger PR during lockdown.
“We’re lucky to have so many incredible freshwater spots and beaches in Angus,” he says.
“Kev and I were regularly dooking during the first lockdown and before long, through onlookers’ curiosity and word of mouth, we had a huge community braving the cold with us, year round.
“It gave back a sense of socialising and community that we lost during the lockdowns. It gives us something to look forward to as it’s
such a great buzz and we always enjoy a hot drink, a blether, and a bite to eat afterwards.”
Most folk agree that Arbirlot, with its 12ft waterfall, is a showstopper of a spot. Cameron
and Kev came here as kids and say it’s a great alternative if the sea is too rough, although it’s a few degrees colder.
“It’s probably about 7C today,” guesses Cameron, “When it was snowing it was about 2C or 3C.”
Kev once stayed in “about 15 minutes too long” in winter, and was shaking with cold for hours after. “You need to build up tolerance and know your limits,” he says.
Other popular dook spots include Arbroath harbour, Elliot, River North Esk near the Blue Door in Edzell, and Loch Brandy in Glen Clova, which Cameron describes as a “bit more hardcore”. I get what he means because I swam in it – once. It was utterly perishing.
Another favourite is Lunan Water. “When there’s a lot of rainfall, the river becomes really fast-flowing and it’s like a fairground ride!” beams Kev.
I also have a chat with Eoin and Sara who founded Arbroath-based East Coast Otters.
“It’s all about cold-water therapy,” says Eoin. “Since I’ve been doing it, I’ve had no pain with arthritis and don’t need tablets. The benefits are brilliant, physically and mental health-wise. It’s not a cure but it’s a focus. When you’re in the cold water, your worries disappear. It’s a wee escape.”
The Angus Tour Dookers group forms part of The Angus Tour, an initiative launched in November which aims to bring more people to the area. The route runs from Monifieth along the A92 to Montrose, then inland to Brechin and on to the A90 to Forfar and Glamis. Travellers can branch off and explore spectacular locations along the way, northwards to Edzell, west to Kirriemuir or into the Angus Glens. Six new itineraries are being introduced to promote the region’s highlights – from wildlife watching at Montrose Basin to thrillseeking adventures with Arbroath Cliff Tours and paddleboarding with Sup2Summit. The tour has themes around history and heritage, the outdoors, food and drink, and dog-friendly Angus.
Itineraries are three-days long, with flexibility to start from any part of the route. Tourists can build their ideal stay through the Visit Angus app and its Insider’s Guide lists 100 unmissable experiences in the area.