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Hundreds brave freezing Firth of Forth in 2026 Loony Dook plunge

News imageBBC Dozens of people in colourful costumes - including two white dinosaurs - splash around in the Firth of Forth in front of the Forth Rail Bridge.BBC

Hundreds of brave souls have started their New Year's Day with a bracing plunge into the Firth of Forth as part of the annual 'Loony Dook'.

It is the 40th time the event has taken place at South Queensferry, with many participants wearing colourful fancy dress as they raced into the water.

The dook, a Scots word meaning to dip or plunge, began on 1 January 1987 when a group of friends went for a swim in the icy water as a hangover cure.

This year conditions were particularly challenging, with temperatures as low as -2C, as cold Arctic air sweeps across the UK.

News imageDozens of people in colourful costumes walk into the Firth of Forth in front of the Forth Rail Bridge. In the foreground is a woman in a pink onesie holding a young boy, wearing a blue onesie.

The Met Office has issued yellow and amber alerts for snow across much of Scotland over the coming days.

Blizzard conditions and snow of up to 20cm (7.9ins) has been forecast for parts of the north east, Highland, Perth and Kinross and Angus from Friday into Saturday.

However the biting chill did not stand in the way of the Loony Dook fun, with Scots of all ages taking part.

Some chose sensible swimwear, others took a more colourful approach with onesies, tartan skirts, ponchos and denim shorts.

One couple even chose to take the plunge in wedding attire.

News imageA man and woman standing in the Firth of Forth with the Forth Rail Bridge in the background. The woman is wearing a white wedding gown and the man wears a white shirt, a black tie and black shorts with a bobble hat.
News imageTwo women embrace while standing in the Firth of Forth - one has an Australian flag draped around her shoulders
News imageTwo women in black swimming costumes and purple beanie hats stand in the Firth of Forth, smiling at the camera.
News imageA man runs out of the Firth of Forth - he is dripping wet, wearing shorts and a T-shirt and has one eye closed. He appears to be running at pace.