Walk up Knock Hill with Cold Dip!

Introducing this wonderful combined experience formed just for Skelmorlie Nature Festival! A wonderful way to appreciate our location and thrill our senses, a beautiful walk with stunning views, followed by a cold dip/swim!

Meeting Point

The meeting point for this is Meigle Beach. There is not a lot of parking there so if you have to drive, then park your car nose or rear towards the wall so that more cars can fit – even better – lift share or get dropped off!

Gillian’s Walks & Happy and Wild

Gillian’s Walks is a business based in Ayrshire specialising in local walking routes. Gillian is an experienced and qualified professional guide who is passionate about enabling people to discover new places and spend time in the great outdoors. She is an active volunteer on the Ayrshire Coastal Path Management Board and her work promoting walking in the area earned her the award of Community Path Volunteer of the Year by Paths For All in 2019. Gillian is also the Official Walking Ambassador for Ayrshire & Arran Destination Alliance.

Lisa Boonsanong, the owner of Happy and Wild, is an open-water swimming coach and a sauna tent owner. Open water swimming and saunas are becoming increasingly popular in Scotland. The benefits include enhanced metabolism, improved mood, and essential support for proper brain function and a robust immune system, as being in and near water decreases stress hormones.

On Thursday, August 29th, Gillian Craig (Gillian’s Walk’s) and Lisa Boonsanong (Happy and Wild) are teaming up for the first time to offer a unique experience: a walk to Knock Hill followed by a cold water dip/swim.

Knock Hill Walk (5 miles) & Cold water dip/swim

We will follow the Ayrshire Coastal Path route from Meigle Beach up to the summit of Knock Hill, a fantastic viewpoint over the Clyde Islands and seaside towns. After the walk, stay with us for a cold water dip/swim.

Session Times:


Thursday, 29th August 2024Knock Hill Walk
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Meigle Beach


Thursday, 29th August 2024Cold water dip/swim
8:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Location: Meigle Beach


Special Activity Instructions

Children of 16 years and under are not permitted to use the sauna

Hillside can be boggy so be prepared in terms of footwear choice. Walk unsuitable for dogs due to livestock.

For to dip/swim it is recommended to wear a swimsuit/ shorts, shoes and socks that can get wet (wet suit sock or boots if u have them).

For after the dip/swim, bring a towel – little tip: wrapped in hot water bottle so it’s nice and cosy – lots of lose cosy clothes, a warm hat, a warm drink.

The water temperature of Clyde will be around 10 degrees.

Meeting Point

The meeting point for this is Meigle Beach. There is not a lot of parking there so if you have to drive, then park your car nose or rear towards the wall so that more cars can fit – even better – lift share or get dropped off!