If you are looking for Perth mum Stephanie Scott on any given weekend, chances are she’s leaping into some cold water wearing one of her flamboyant swim caps.
Like most busy parents, Stephanie spends a lot of time behind the wheel of mum’s taxi at the weekend. With four children aged 16 down to six that’s a full time job in itself.
Is it even a weekend without a swim?
There’s always time for a wild swim though, and she is spoilt for choice with beautiful spots to explore in Perthshire and beyond.
Stephanie, 39, caught the wild swimming bug about four years ago when she decided that she had to get moving to lose some weight.
Since then, she has lost over 10 stone, has taken part in two triathlons and is a self confessed “Wild swimming addict.”
No day is complete with out a dip, weekends included, and she loves the chill of the winter water: “the colder the better!” she laughs.
Weekends mean outdoor fun for the Scott family
Stephanie admits that five years ago the family’s weekend activities nearly always revolved around food.
“It might be going to the cinema where I could have loads of snacks or a short five minute walk and then straight to a cafe for coffee or lunch.”
“We are so much more of an outdoorsy family now,” she explains,
In fact, the whole family have taken to spending time by the water, inspired by Stephanie.
They can often be found kayaking, dipping in the warmer months or simply enjoying the natural world while mum has a swim.
Andy and Stephanie’s older daughter Lola,15, particularly loves swimming with her mum.
“She loves it, it gives her so much joy and confidence, you know, she loves being part of the swim community because it is so welcoming.”
Stephanie’s top swim spots
Loch Faskally in Pitlochry is a favourite wild swimming location. She swims there on Sunday mornings with the local Dell Dippers swim group.
“I love the social side of wild swimming,” says the bubby swimmer, “and we often end up in the Salmon Leap cafe at the Pitlochry Dam Visitor Centre after our dip.
“They look after the Dell Dippers really, really well.”
Another favourite place for a post-swim warmer is the Willowgate Cafe in Perth.
“Tom and his team are amazing,” she enthuses. “They will have the fire burning for us and we don’t even have to order anymore!
“As soon as they see us walking from the car they put my hot chocolate on.”
The occasional weekend break
She also loves to seek out new swim locations when she occasionally manages to escape for a weekend break with husband Andy.
Recent highlights include the Meeting of the Three Waters at Glencoe and Feshiebridge near Aviemore.
And Stephanie is a great fan of an impromptu dip:
“I always have an emergency swimsuit, towel and of course Phannie’s Cap in the car just in case a swim opportunity arises!”
Stephanie’s swim hat inspiration
As soon as the Perth mum took the plunge into wild swimming, she knew that she would be wearing something a little bit different in the water.
“From the day one of going swimming it was always a silly swim cap that I had on my head – the brighter the better,” she recalls.
Now, she has become almost as addicted to creating hats for her online Phannie’s Caps shop as she has to wild swimming.
I could spend hours getting them right and playing with colour combinations,” she enthuses.
“It’s another wee form of escapism. If I can’t be swimming it’s the next best thing.”
The creations are bold and beautiful, a little like Stephanie herself.
“I know they’re not everybody’s cup of tea but I just think we are in the water doing something crazy anyway so let’s just dress the part!”
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