SCOTLAND.

Swim across the LOCH NESS then climb BEN NEVIS.

Yep, I hung up Loki the skateboard (for now). This time I headed for the moody Highlands of Scotland in an attempt to swim across the Loch Ness (the biggest body of fresh water in the UK) and then climb the highest peak 🏔️ in the UK (Ben Nevis) all in the one day.

We are talking about 240m deep, dark water that hovers around the 6 degrees C. mark and is also rumoured to host the worlds most infamous monster - The Loch Ness Monster. If that wasn’t enough, then don a kilt and climb 1345m to the summit of Ben Nevis and get back down before light fades or worse the weather turns. 🏔️ 🏁 

For this challenge I partnered up with LIVIN.org - a Gold Coast organisation working to remove the stigma around mental health with the motto - “It ain’t weak to speak”. 

So for those that missed it… The day started with an early wake up and a quick glance out the window would reveal the thickest of morning fogs that had blanketed the entire Loch Ness. To the point where the skipper picking me up had to revert to Google Maps to find his way up the Loch. In true Scottish fashion, she showed her true moodiness and boy did it amplify the anxious anticipation!

We boarded the safety boat via an old rickety jetty after venturing through some random farmers paddock. We then swiftly made our way to the other side of the loch, directly opposite Urquhart Castle which also happened to conveniently be the widest part of the loch.

After the lengthy process of suiting up in my wetsuit I hit the water at roughly 8am with very poor visibility and no clear landmarks on the other side to guide me on a direct route.

The water was, as to be expected, COLD. The initial shock of putting the exposed skin of my face into the water was a real shock and an instant ice-cream headache quickly followed. The biggest mental hurdle for me was in the first 15 metres where I would swim over the “drop off” where the depth plummits to 240m deep along with a significant water temp drop. The dark water also plays tricks with your mind and every cell in your body is screaming “GET OUT”.

Once I finally settled into some element of a rhythm and the nerves settled, I made good pace and before I knew it I was in the middle of the loch. Which also happened to be one of the most frequent places that Nessie is spotted. To make matters worse, a significantly large fish (or something else…) thumped into me with some serious weight behind it. You could imagine the thoughts racing through my head at this moment quickly followed by a succession of expletives. I guarantee, no matter how much you don’t believe in the monster, when something bumps you in the middle of the Loch Ness there is only one thing that comes to mind. Haha!

As I etched closer to the castle ruins, the fog began to lift, as if it was scripted and I cut my path towards the area referred to as the “water gate”, which also happened to be the historic starting point of many a battle throughout the centuries all the way back to the 1200’s! There is even a catapult aimed at this very location to defend the castle! Crazy. What was I swimming over?! A whole lot of history I guess. I clammered over the shoreline rocks and the swim was officially over.

After defrosting, we (myself and my photographer) had to quickly make my way to the foot of Ben Nevis to take on the second part of this challenge. It only made sense that I do it in a kilt (tradtional of course). I later learned that this was maybe not the best idea when the winds started to kick up and we passed a bunch of raucous middle age Irish climbers who were more than happy to throw some comedy our way.

The route up we took was the tourist path and not technicial in any way. But what it did require was serious fitness and mental tenacity. It was pretty much straight up for 8km’s. The weather can also be a cruel mistress on this mountain with many deaths being attributed to climbers being caught out by the weather. Although we were greeted with near perfect weather, we definitely noticed the temperature dropping as we ascended. At the top we were greeted by dumps of snow likely from the night before. Given the frosty temps and frigid winds, we did not plan on sticking around up there. But first, I had to complete the challenge with the ultimate “cherry” on top. Play my set of bagpipes at the top of Scotland (and the UK). I managed barely a few notes before my exhaustion and freezing fingers got the better of me and it was time to make the long descent back down the mountain.

I bagged my first Monroe! I also unofficially became the first person in the world to swim the Loch Ness + Climb Ben Nevis+ play bagpipes at the top. To which I have now termed “The Scottish Triathlon”.

Photography - Jess Henderson