Hay Lodge Park, Peebles. Wild Writers Festival, Eastgate January 2026. It was sleeting but I’d paid for my guided wild swim at the Dookits, so I was determined to do it! Ingrid was so reassuring and the whole experience was magical – especially when two deer jumped in just nearby and swam across the river.
My daughter Ingrid featured on TV in the wild swimming programme at Traquair.
Read more about Eastgate Arts’ Wild Writers Festival here.
Watch Jules and Greg’s Wild Swim here.
These stories were shared with us during the Merlindale Nature Festival 2026 near Drumelzier, run by The Borders Meadows Trust and held near Drumelzier. With thanks to everyone who added their stories to our giant River Tweed map.
Images: Ingrid at Tweed Stories, Merlindale Festival 2026
Ingrid with Connecting Threads River Animateur Rhiana Laws (Ian Georgeson for Connecting Threads)
