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The Loony Dook

Forth Rail Bridhe
Loony Dookers take their dip in the shadow of the Forth Rail Bridge
1 January. Participants register from 9:30am to 11:30am; spectators assemble for 11:45am.

Assemble at Moorings Hotel, 24-26 Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry.

Free to watch and to participate. Voluntary charitable donation requested.

If the idea of a New Year's Day triathlon just isn't masochistic enough for you, try the Loony Dook, a few miles out of town in South Queensferry. For over 20 teeth-chattering years, fancy-dressed participants have joined a morning parade through the riverside town - before steeling themselves for a freezing dip beneath the iconic Forth Bridges.

It is, inevitably, all for charidee, but that's not all that motivates the hundreds-strong crowd of "dookers". As the Loony Dook's organizers themselves observe - people just love to do crazy things, and there's really nothing crazier. Add in the spectacular waterfront location, nestled between two of the country's most famous bridges... and it's no surprise the event's grown from its low-key beginning in 1987 to the world renown it enjoys today.

The event's based at the Moorings Hotel, where (legend says) the whole mad idea was contrived. Today, the hotel provides warming soup for the chilled-out dookers. The short parade to the waterfront is led by a pipe band, and watched by thousands of spectators; there'll be a voluntary collection for a local charity on the day.

Getting to South Queensferry

South Queensferry is a stone's throw from the outskirts of Edinburgh, and an easy trip by car from anywhere in the city. But if you're visiting - or want to enjoy Hogmanay without driving the following morning - you'll need to plan around the limited public transport available on New Year's Day.

First Bus is running a special service to South Queensferry on New Year's day.  The only bus to arrive in time leaves Edinburgh's Waterloo Place at 10:15am, and the West End (at Queensferry Street) at 10:20.  Look for First service 43.

The first return service leaves South Queensferry at about 1:40pm, with further services every 90 minutes after that.  Before you travel, we advise you check your plans with First Bus by calling 08708 72 72 71. Note that First Bus is a different company to Lothian, the dominant bus company in Edinburgh, and Lothian's tickets aren't valid on First.

There are no trains running to Dalmeny (for South Queensferry) on New Year's Day.

Because it's New Year's Day, a taxi in one direction will cost about £30, and must be booked well in advance.

Dook it yourself

If you're brave or mad enough to dook yourself, report to the Moorings Hotel, 24-26 Hopetoun Road, from 9:30am. You don't need to register before New Year's Day.

You'll form up with your fellow dookers for the parade at 11:45, then it's time to dook at 12 noon.

If you're not too sure about jumping in, you can wade into the water, but the Dook organizers do recommend non-swimmers stay on the shore. Children under 12 should be under the constant supervision of an adult. Queensferry Lifeboat crew-members will be in the water to ensure dooker safety.

After the event, head back to the Moorings Hotel to change into dry clothes - and (if previous years are a guide) to enjoy hot soup and a toddy, thanks to the hotel proprietors.

Dookers are asked for a donation to Marie Curie Cancer Care.
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