Earlier this summer, Dun Aluinn hosted a truly unforgettable wild swimming experience, bringing together two remarkable individuals: Calum, a passionate wild swimmer, TV presenter, writer, and author of 1001 Wild Swimming Tips, and Steven, one of the UK’s leading bushcraft experts. Together, they curated an immersive journey into the wilderness around Aberfeldy and Glen Lyon — blending ancient skills, breathtaking landscapes, and the revitalising power of cold water.

At the time, Calum was in the midst of an ambitious swim — charting the full length of the River Tay. A fluent Gaelic speaker and a living repository of Scottish culture, folklore and tradition, he guided guests to some of the area’s most secluded and pristine wild swimming spots. His deep connection to the land and water brought a rare insight to each location, transforming every dip into something far more profound than just a swim.

Alongside Calum, Steven led guests in building a woodland sauna entirely from natural materials. With over 20 years of experience teaching wilderness skills and leading remote expeditions, Steven shared his expertise in firecraft, foraging, and traditional uses of plants — skills passed down through generations. When not consulting on major TV and film productions, he could often be found identifying tracks in the forest floor or demonstrating ancient firelighting techniques using flint, fungus, and birch bark.