Loony Dook

Loony Dook

The Loony Dook is a Scottish tradition that involves people dressing up in fancy dress on New Years Day (the 1st of January) and jumping into the sea. This being Scotland and January means the water is freezing and to do so you would have to be crazy ( a loony in Scots slang).

The most famous of the Loony Dooks occurs at South Queensferry. This coastal town is located outside a few miles outside Edinburgh. The event is an organised event and is £12 per entrant. Members of emergency services and the Lifeboat crew are on hand to ensure the safety of participants. Due to the water temperature in January there are more spectators than participants. If attending the Loony Dook at South Queensferry it is worth noting that on New Years day there would be limited public transport scheduled. Travel Guide Scotland would recommend that you have access to your own car and if participating have a friend or family member on the shore to look after your belongings.

More information can be found on the Edinburgh Hogmanay website.