My name is Morag Hughes, I am going to swim 11 miles along Loch Arkaig at the end of this summer.

I have always enjoyed swimming and my first open water swim was across Loch Linnhe from Trislaig to Fort Wiiliam . This was around 1990 so long before open water swimming became popular. I gradually increased the distances I swam competing in events organised by Ye Amphibious Ancient Bathing Association based in Broughty Ferry, the British Long Distance Swimming Association and Scottish Swimming.

I have swam the length of Lochs Lomond, Shiel, Rannoch, Maree, Morar, Lochy, Windermere as well as many smaller Lochs, sea crossings and in rivers. In 2010 at the age of 54 I swam the English Channel becoming the oldest Scottish person to do so. I am a slow steady swimmer and hopefully will be successful in my attempt at Arkaig. If I am using a swim as a fundraiser I like the sponsorship to benefit local organisations, charities close to my heart or local projects hence choosing the Arkaig Woodland Trust regeneration project.

I swim regularly all year round in Arkaig. It is a beautiful tranquil area. I have always had a love of nature and am interested in the Woodland Trust regeneration project and of course the ospreys.

Visiting the area to swim, walk or cycle is a privilege. Seeing the wildlife and viewing the landscape from the water is amazing as is the Jacobite history around the loch.

Being able to watch the nest(s) live is exciting and educational and can also be sad as in the case of bob 3 this year and another one a few years ago. I have to confess to being unable to tune in for quite a while this year as I know others were. We were all rooting for the fiesty wee bob.

I have been fortunate to see an osprey catch a fish from the river when I was just a few feet away walking on the riverbank and to get a fantastic view of Louis and Vera soaring over me while I was swimming. I knew it was Vera as she was the last chick to leave that year. I was hoping they didn’t think I was a fish!

(The link to donate mentions Mary Cheadle as she set up the page for me, just to confirm all donations donated are for Morag’s Swim & passed to the Woodland Trust)