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Twenty-five very brave souls stripped off last Wednesday afternoon and took to the water for Arran’s first annual Boxing Day Dook.
The event was staged at the lifeboat station in Lamlash to raise funds for the RNLI and generally have some festive fun.
One of the organisers, Neil Gillies, said: ‘It went very well. There was a great turnout and we’ll certainly be doing it again. When you think about it there is very little to do on Boxing Day.
‘Next year we will be more organised with entertainments and stalls.’
Neil added that along with Sally and Ian Hunter he had organised the summer Lamlash Splash for some years which is a swim from Holy Isle to Lamlash pier, and they thought it would be a good idea to try it at Christmas.
Lifeboat operations manager Geoff Norris told the Banner: ‘The event raised £385 for lifeboat funds and some people had their own sponsorship as well. They had the choice of just going in and getting their shoulders wet or swimming around to the steps. Quite a few went up the steps and jumped in from the pier.’
He added: ‘They were either brave or mad. I don’t know if there will be as many next year when they realise how cold it was.’
About 200 people turned out to watch the brave few and were entertained by the antics of the swimmers and by a piper on the pier. A contingent led by Neil Bulger from Corrie Hotel not only took to the water but also took the opportunity to parade a banner campaigning to save Corrie school.
Jill Plenderleith won the adult fancy dress prize for her Wonderwoman costume and Ben Leslie won the junior prize as Buzz Lightyear.
Dry towels were on hand for the swimmers as they emerged from the sea and refreshments and mulled wine were on offer in the lifeboat station afterwards.
• A ladies’ watch was found near the lifeboat station in Lamlash on Wednesday after the dook. The owner can reclaim it by contacting Geoff Norris on 600420.
