Naked swimmer free of troubled waters after tough ten days

Published on Thursday 17 July 2008 11:04

SHE started out on her own, without even a beach towel to keep her company, as she dived into Scotland's freezing lochs.

But by the end of her challenge – braving 100 lochs the length and breadth of Scotland – Jackie Brown had gathered a merry band of converts to the skinny-dipping cause. As the 23-year-old, from Barony Street, took her last dip to complete her challenge in Duddingston Loch yesterday, she was joined by five friends for a naked swim.

Although they took their dip in a secluded part of the loch, the girls were in full view of one unsuspecting fisherman.

Undeterred, they all whipped their clothes off and helped Jackie celebrate her 100th loch.

The keen swimmer set off on her naked paddle round Scotland just over a week ago hoping to tackle 138 lochs to raise money for breast cancer charities.

But after suffering a number of setbacks she had to knock some lochs off her list, but still managed to clock up an impressive 100.

Disaster struck the day after setting off when she slipped in Loch Ceo Glais, just outside Inverness, and badly cut her foot on a rock. She had to go to hospital and was told to keep her foot out of water for three days. But she got round this by buying wellies and enjoying naked loch wades instead for a couple of days.

Things went from bad to worse when she and her friend, amateur photographer Jenny Humberstone, who is taking pictures of her at each location, got attacked by tics. They are both now undergoing a course of antibiotics to prevent Lyme Disease.

Jackie, who teaches theatre skills in schools, said it has not quite sunk in that she has completed the challenge.

Speaking last night after finishing her last swim in Duddingston – which was the warmest water she had experienced during the whole challenge – Jackie, originally from Perth, Australia, said: "I really want a pint but I'm on antibiotics, so I can't. I think I'm just going to go home and have a good wash and have a cup of tea instead.

"I sent texts to every female in my phone and told them to recruit all their friends so I'm really grateful that they all came down here.

"Me and some other friends also had a midnight expedition in Bardowie Loch just outside Glasgow on Tuesday night. There ended up being five of us – including Jenny the photographer – and we all went in for a dip ."

Despite all the setbacks, which also included Jackie having a bad cold throughout and being sick, she wouldn't change anything about her experience.

She said: "The scenery has been just beautiful everywhere, absolutely breathtaking.

"I saw one of the most amazing sunsets just outside Inverness.

"In retrospect, it's just been so fun. If the disasters hadn't occurred, it wouldn't have been so memorable.

The most special part for me has been the hospitality of strangers who have welcomed us into their homes and B&Bs."

Photographer Jenny, 23, from Tollcross, said: "It's been an adventure, a really great ten days.

"I think Jackie's very brave and it's such a great way to raise money for breast cancer research."

To donate to Jackie's cause, go to www.nakedlochswim08.com