MUSSELBURGH’S annual Loony Dook celebrations were cancelled yet again due to poor water quality and high levels of bacteria.
This is the fourth year in a row that the event has failed to take place, as water in the area has been continually graded as poor and has had its “bathing water” status revoked.
The Fisherrow Harbour and Seafront Association (FSHA), has said they are hoping to improve water quality in 2025, but did not feel comfortable organising an official Loony Dook this year.
Despite this, other areas of Edinburgh’s coastline were utilised, with many taking a cold New Year’s Day plunge at Portobello and South Queensferry.
From 2017 and 2018, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) ranked the water in Fisherrow as “poor”.
Their tests detect both the bacteria E. Coli and intestinal enterococci, which indicate possible contamination by fecal waste.
In 2019, the harbour had its “bathing water” status revoked, meaning that SEPA were no longer obliged to undertake tests in the area.
After local improvement works and changes to improve water quality, the status was reinstated in 2023, and Fisherrow received a “good” rating in November of that year.
Unfortunately, in 2024 the rating once again slipped to ‘poor’, meaning that the FSHA decided against organising an official Loony Dook celebration.
Hundreds of brave swimmers gather each New Year’s Day for a piercing cold plunge in the icy Scottish waters, which began as a hangover cure in 1987, and has attracted swimmers ever since.
Many wear fancy dress and take part to raise money for charity, jumping into water around the Firth of Forth.
Large numbers turned out to participate in areas surrounding Fisherrow, despite chilly conditions and the weather warnings that marred this year’s official Hogmanay celebrations.
Speaking to the East Lothian Courier, FSHA seafront volunteer Claire Tochel said “We are keen to promote Fisherrow as a base for lots of water-based and shore-side outdoor activities and would love to encourage people to swim here.
“However, the risks of swimming amongst faecal bacteria are well established, and while the data shows that our water continues to be contaminated relatively regularly, we don’t feel that it would be appropriate to officially set up a Loony Dook.”
Both the FSHA and SEPA have been contacted for further comment.
