How long is the swim at Loch Ness?

Loch Ness is just over 22 miles long, and it takes seasoned swimmers more than 18 hours to swim its length.



A full-length, end-to-end swim of Loch Ness is approximately 22.7 miles (36.5 kilometers). It is considered one of the most grueling and prestigious "ultra-marathon" swims in the world, forming part of the "Triple Crown" of Scottish open-water swimming. Swimmers typically start at Fort Augustus in the south and finish at Lochend in the north. The primary challenge isn't just the distance, but the extreme cold, with water temperatures rarely rising above 12°C to 14°C (53°F to 57°F) even in mid-summer. Additionally, the loch's dark, peat-stained waters and the potential for sudden wind-driven waves make it a mentally taxing endeavor. Most successful solo swims take between 10 and 15 hours. In 2026, many swimmers choose to take part in "relay" swims with a team of four to manage the distance. Whether solo or relay, any swimmer attempting the full length must be accompanied by a support boat for safety in the deep, unpredictable waters.

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Ross Edgley, 36, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, spent 52 hours and 39 minutes in the water and covered a distance of about 49 miles (79km). He ended the challenge at Fort Augustus on Friday, short of his original aim of swimming 100 miles (160km). The challenge was in support of a sea kelp conservation project.

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Edgley made his first attempt at the record in September 2022. He dove into Loch Ness–just outside of Inverness, Scotland–aiming to swim swim 100 miles (160 km). That would have set the world record for longest continuous swim in tideless water. He ultimately fell short of his goal, stopping at 49 miles (79 km).

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Making a full loop around the whole of Loch Ness, we recommend the full two days to make the most of all there is to see and do. Don't forget to keep an eye out for Nessie!

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Loch Ness is the largest body of water in Scotland by volume and contains more water than all the Lakes in England and Wales combined. It is in fact so deep, that Loch Ness never freezes over, even in the harshest of Scottish Winters, as the water cooled from the air will sink and be replaced by hot water below it.

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36-year-old Ross Edgley swam continuously for 52 hours and 39 minutes, setting the record for longest swim in Loch Ness at 49 miles. It wasn't too long ago we were all hypothesizing about whether Michael Phelps could swim 100 miles in the ocean.

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