IT was a growing trend during lockdown as people took up wild-swimming and embraced the great outdoors and seems that Scotland could be set to ride the wave of a growing wellness trend.
Water Wellness, also known as Blue Mind, is linked to the positive influence water can have on our physical and mental health; the feeling of calm or peacefulness that is sparked when in or near water. The Blue Mind theory was explored in the book by Wallace L Nichols on the effects of water in all of its shapes and forms on our health.
Now VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation, believes that due to its many lochs, rivers, canals and coastlines, Scotland is ideally placed to become one of the hottest destinations to embrace this movement.
Read more: Queen's Birthday Honours - The Scottish list in full
YouGov research commissioned by VisitScotland, as part of the Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21, found that almost three quarters of UK adults, 73%, think that being near water can reduce stress levels, while nearly two thirds, 65%, believe it can reduce anxiety and depression.
It also found that the most popular activity that UK adults would like to do on a holiday in Scotland to help them relax and unwind would be walking along a deserted beach, 63%, followed by a walk in woodland, 59%. Total sample size was 2103 adults and the figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults aged 18 and over.
With miles of picturesque coastlines, over 30,000 lochs and other scenic waterways, VisitScotland believes the trend could provide a welcome boost to the country’s valuable tourism industry as it recovers from the devastating impact of COVID-19.
Throughout the pandemic, activities such as wild-swimming and paddle boarding have grown in popularity as individuals consider new ways to look after their physical and mental health. Increasing evidence about the benefits of ‘cold water therapy’ on the body have also led to growing interest around spending time in ‘blue space’.
With that in mind, VisitScotland has launched new activity which aims to inspire visitors to embark on their own water wellness journey throughout Scotland, showcasing businesses and locations which offer water-based wellbeing experiences.
Chris Greenwood, VisitScotland Senior Insights Manager, said: “Similar to forest bathing, water wellness is that connection to our natural resources and its impact on our physical and mental health. The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted the wellbeing of people all across the country and over the past year we’ve seen evidence of people embracing activities that help address this, such as the increasing popularity of wild swimming.
“With its remote lochs, breath-taking beaches and bustling waterways, Scotland is ideally placed to capitalise on the trend for water wellness and there is an exciting opportunity for businesses to benefit by promoting the experiences they can offer.
“Our research, inspired by the Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21, demonstrates a recognised appreciation of the positive influence water can have on our wellbeing. Tourism has been one of the biggest economic casualties of COVID-19, and as the industry looks to recover, we will continue sharing inspiration and insights as to what visitors are looking for now travel is possible again. Tourism and events will help to rebuild the Scottish population’s well-being - everyone deserves a holiday, and Scotland, and all it offers, will be the perfect antidote after lockdown.”
Outdoor specialists Adventure Carrick said Scotland is riding on the crest of a wave with water wellness and saw inquiries for their paddleboard courses and water-based activities soar last summer when lockdown was eased.
Chris Saunders, of Adventure Carrick, said: "People feel better when they have spent time at the coast or out in nature and never quite known why, but now we have the science to show that it can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing. Last summer we had a six week period where we were inundated with people wanting to come and try our activities.
"Paddleboarding seems to have been the new craze and we also ran guided coastal and forest walks. There is also forest bathing - which is literally all about get out and immersed in nature."
Among the activities which could be described as Water Wellness experiences is wild swimming. Cold water therapy is a hot topic in the world of wellness thanks to its positive benefits on the mind, body and spirit but Scotland’s breath-taking beauty adds an extra special element to the experience. Suggested locations include Loch Morlich in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, as well as beaches such as Gullane and Eyemouth
Recognised as one of the fastest growing sports in the world, paddle boarding could also be considered as Water Wellbess and is one way to explore Scotland’s blue spaces, as well as keeping you active. Suggested locations include: Galloway Activity Centre (Dumfries & Galloway) Willowgate Activity Centre, (Perthshire) Adventure Carrick (Ayrshire) and Pinkston Watersports which offers visitors Stand Up Paddleboarding experiences close to Glasgow city centre.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here