Film-maker, broadcaster, photographer, and outdoor swimmer Calum Maclean joins us on the podcast today. Calum is a host on the BBC Social, and has his own wildly popular YouTube, Instagram, and now TikTok channels. His new book, “1001 Outdoor Swimming Tips” is written to get people out in and excited about being submerged in nature. Today’s episode is a fun one chatting about all things swimming outside- in both the ocean and freshwater bodies. Calum shares insights into what it’s like outdoor swimming, and why you should get started today. He also shares some of the best adventure stories, including his field story at the end, so stay tuned for that.
Connect with Calum : Instagram
Quick links
Aberfeldy
Highlands
Longest Line video
Right to Roam
Heather
Grouse
Cairngorms National Park
Scottish Water Temperature Video
Loch Lomond
Outdoor swimming society
1001 outdoor swimming tips
Loch Ness
Loch Morar
Island of Stroma
Saint Kilda
Sunfish
Stroma Island
Deep water TikTok
Videos on BBC Scotland
Show notes
0 : 21 Calum tells us about his first memorable swim in Australia, the one that gave hime “the bug for it” : that is swimming outdoors.
6 : 42 He had amazing diving experiences in Australia and Iceland. He also tells his encounters with seals in Scotland while swimming.
11 : 28 He tells his longest distance swimming when he attempted to swim coast to coast across Scotland (29km or 18 miles !)
22 : 17 Calum teaches us the real meaning of the famous “highlands”.
23 : 35 Discussing access to land and private properties in Scotland and the “right to responsible access.” It is more or like a right to roam !
32 : 20 Calum explains his whole funny water temperature scale.
37 :18 Calum swims almost every single day ! He even swam every day for a month straight.
43 : 01 Listeners get some tips on how to start swimming outdoors.
48 : 26 If listeners were wondering if Calum did swim in the most famous Scottish lake… The answer is yes! He also swam in the deepest UK lake, Loch Morar, 310m/1000ft deep.
51 : 32 What is the guest’s favorite sea creature ?
54 : 58 Calum explains how he learned Gaelic
56 : 52 What does the ocean mean to him ?
59 : 14 Given a blank check, what would Calum use it for ?
1 : 03 : 40 What’s his favorite field story ?
1 : 10 : 03 A conservation tip for listeners