Three lakes, one swim: solo swimming across the UK

Helen Hislop shares her 59.9km odyssey through Scotland, England, and Wales, revealing the preparation, endurance and awe-inspiring beauty behind her record-breaking Three Lakes UK Challenge

The Three Lakes Challenge comprises swimming the three longest lakes in each nation of mainland UK consecutively: Loch Awe in Scotland, Windermere in England and Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) in Wales. The total distance is 59.9km (37.3 mi).

The air is crisp, and the sun has only just risen above the hills leaving the pale blue sky tinged with pink. I’m in Scotland on the shore of Loch Awe; the water is still and calm reflecting the surrounding mountains; it is both beautiful and foreboding. I have a huge task ahead of me, a challenge that took two years of meticulous planning and training. My heart is pounding and my body is taut in anticipation of what’s ahead but I know it will be fine once I get in. Loch Awe is the lynchpin of the whole challenge at 38km; get that right and the rest should follow, Windermere at 17km and finally Llyn Tegid at 4.8km.

The previous day we visited Kilchurn Castle to view the swim’s end point. A local lady told me how cold, treacherous and even fatal Loch Awe can be – she was shocked to hear I would be swimming solo without a wetsuit! She was far happier once I explained I was experienced, trained and would have a guide boat. This loch can be cold; it was 12–13ºC when I completed the Qswim relay last September and as low as 10ºC in summer.

Preparation was key; hypothermia stopped two of my swims the previous year, so I focused on acclimatisation. I did long training swims, land work, pool swims and mental preparation. I changed my nutrition. I trained the best I could with what I had available, fitting around family and work.

Dave Quartermain, founder of Uswim suggested this challenge in 2023. I’d successfully completed the triple crown of Coniston, Ullswater and Windermere consecutively in 10 h been done as a relay but not as a solo, Loch Awe had thwarted some very strong and accomplished swimmers with her dark and frigid waters, but I felt I could do it. This swim felt accessible both financially and geographically. It showcased the stunning scenery of the British Isles at the same time as being a pioneering test of endurance.

In September 2024, I sat down with Karen Quartermain, Founder of Qswim Adventure, and Dave and discussed the logistics. I sent my proposal to BLDSA and contacted the Marathon Swimming Federation to coordinate the ratification process. Finally, I approached the Guinness Book of Records.

Early in the season, I successfully completed the Dál Riata Channel in Northern Ireland, a back-to-back 2-way Windermere and double Wastwater. Then suddenly, we’re in September, and I’m in the little RIB going over to Torran Bay jetty to start my swim. The water is fresh at 15ºC; it takes a moment to catch my breath. I swim over to the jetty and wait for the signal, stop watches ready, three, two, one go! I study the boat and the crew, in rain gear with flasks and sandwiches, and I concentrate on my stroke and the spectacular surroundings.

About 90 mins in Tom Jones’ Delilah worms its way into my head and it resides there unbidden on a perpetual loop. Maybe it’s my subconscious asking, why are you doing this? Because I can! I feel strong, fast and at peace when I swim. I like pushing myself whilst enjoying the privilege of swimming in beautiful places.

I’m feeding every 30 mins on a rotation of Maltodextrin, Voom and Precision fuel. All liquid, warm and in a bottle on the end of a rope. I’m told I’m doing well but I just nod, gulp and go. I recognise some of the scenery; Innes Chonnel Castle, Portsonachan Hotel, the electricity pylons and inlet where the hydroelectric power station is. The skies darken. The rain is torrential, hard-hitting, stinging my skin, the landscape struggles to remain visible within the clouds, and then it’s gone, the sun returns and creates an incredible rainbow.

Heavy rain strikes again and at the next feed Karen tells me we will be landing at Kilchurn Castle, the bridge finish is too dangerous. I look up and the ruins are visible through the mist. I swim past the castle and towards a condemned jetty. My fingers scrape the mud on the bottom and I’m running out of water. I stand up… 9 hours 58 mins. I’m elated; this exceeds expectations.

The drive to Windermere is long. I have a mask, blanket and pillow but I’m all scrunched up, so I don’t sleep much, maybe an hour. We arrived at Fell Foot, Newby Bridge, after ten. I faff about a bit and can’t find my lights – but I have a spare that I attach to my goggles and a glow stick nestled within the straps of my cossie. At 11:11pm I walk through the stone arch, rocks sharp against my feet as I launch into the water to start my second swim. It’s a lot warmer than in Scotland – 17ºC. It’s a calm night and the stars are visible. The busy lake is silent and eerie as I swim past moored boats. A green guardian light on the stern of the RIB guides me but I struggle to see the silhouettes of my crew. I follow the light like a moth.

I’ve swum Windermere several times, my shoulders don’t ache too much, and I feel better than I thought I would. Before long I pass Storrs and then the chain ferry. Navigating around the islands is tricky as it’s shallow. In the past, I have swum into the string of marker buoys in daylight, so I need to be especially careful when tired and in the dark. Coming out of The Lillies and into the main bay, the boat and its occupants are finally visible with lights of Ambleside in the distance signalling the end.

I feed every hour, it’s easier in the dark, yet I fumble catching the bottle, it sinks and gets lost before being retrieved and thrown again. I think we’re all starting to flag, but I plod on and try to pick up my pace. Iain and Karen are wearing head torches, standing between the two jetties at Waterhead that signal my exit. My hands touch stones and I clamber up and hobble across the pebbles to the shore. It’s taken 5 hours and 2 mins to swim 10 and a half miles – I’m pleased with that!

Just one swim to go. It’s another long drive to Wales. It’s still dark and sleep should be easy, but my brain is racing and going over all that has happened. I get a little fractured rest but it’s not restorative. Iain has been fantastic but is weary too, so we stop a few times for safety.

The 2nd of September is a beautiful morning bringing sunshine and blue skies to the Glanllyn Caravan Camping Park at the far end of Llyn Tegid.

The final swim is relatively short, but the challenge is not over until it is complete. I wade into the water, wincing at the sharp stones, and swim to the jetty. It’s 10am. Three, two, one and off we go for the final time.

My shoulders feel a bit stiff and achy but are soothed by the cool water of 16ºC. The mood is buoyant, sky slightly overcast but I know I will complete the challenge. The white water sport centre marks the end, it’s tantalisingly close yet too far away.

Finally, I pass the jetty and run out of water. It’s 10:29am, I stand up and get a little cheer! One hour 29 mins. I’ve done it! Three of Britain’s longest lakes, swimming for 16 hours and 30 mins and taking 27 hours and 44 minutes to complete. Incredible!

I could not have done this without the support of my husband Iain, Dave and Karen Quartermain and Dave Smith. What a wonderful, fantastic crew.

The messages of support on social media from my local swim community, Qswim Adventure and everyone following were humbling. So many people have told me they dot watched the whole thing, which has been amazing.

As a dyslexic, the paperwork was an extremely difficult task but in December 2025, BLDSA ratified my Three Lake swim and in January, it was recognised as a Guinness World Record. The Marathon Swimming Federation is currently pending ratification.