Tarlair Swimming Pool
Encyclopedia
Tarlair Swimming Pool opened in 1931 at the base of a sea cliff just outside Macduff
in Banffshire
(now Aberdeenshire
) in Scotland
. This outdoor swimming complex was built in an Art Deco style with a main building backing onto the cliffs and changing rooms to its left hand side. It was commissioned by Macduff Burgh Council in 1929, with the architect
being John C Miller, the Burgh Surveyor of MacDuff. The contractor
for the project was Robert Morrison & Son of Macduff. Since 2007 it has been protected as a category A listed building. It is considered by Historic Scotland
to be the best example of only three surviving outdoor seaside pools in Scotland, the others being at Stonehaven
and Gourock
.
The design of the pool was a clever use of pumped sea water to fill the pools, and flooding of the main pool at high tide to flush out the old water. The main pool had a diving board at the deep end and a child’s chute at the shallow end, though both are now missing. The second-largest pool was a boating pool with the two remaining pools being paddling pools.
The complex is now in some disrepair with a mixture of weathering
, rock falls and vandalism
being the main causes. In 2010, a proposal was put forward for redevelopment of the complex as a lobster
hatchery.
Macduff
Macduff may refer to:* Macduff , the character in Shakespeare's Macbeth* Macduff, Aberdeenshire, the former burgh which is now within the Aberdeenshire council area of Scotland* the Clan MacDuff, a Scottish clan...
in Banffshire
Banffshire
The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest...
(now Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
) in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. This outdoor swimming complex was built in an Art Deco style with a main building backing onto the cliffs and changing rooms to its left hand side. It was commissioned by Macduff Burgh Council in 1929, with the architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
being John C Miller, the Burgh Surveyor of MacDuff. The contractor
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
for the project was Robert Morrison & Son of Macduff. Since 2007 it has been protected as a category A listed building. It is considered by Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.-Role:As its website states:...
to be the best example of only three surviving outdoor seaside pools in Scotland, the others being at Stonehaven
Stonehaven Open Air Pool
Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire AB39 2RD, is an Olympic sized heated open air public pool opened in 1934. It is the lido in the UK.- Description :...
and Gourock
Gourock Outdoor Pool
Gourock Outdoor Pool is a salt water public lido in Gourock, Renfrewshire, Scotland. It is the oldest heated swimming pool in Scotland.- Description :...
.
The design of the pool was a clever use of pumped sea water to fill the pools, and flooding of the main pool at high tide to flush out the old water. The main pool had a diving board at the deep end and a child’s chute at the shallow end, though both are now missing. The second-largest pool was a boating pool with the two remaining pools being paddling pools.
The complex is now in some disrepair with a mixture of weathering
Weathering
Weathering is the breaking down of rocks, soils and minerals as well as artificial materials through contact with the Earth's atmosphere, biota and waters...
, rock falls and vandalism
Vandalism
Vandalism is the behaviour attributed originally to the Vandals, by the Romans, in respect of culture: ruthless destruction or spoiling of anything beautiful or venerable...
being the main causes. In 2010, a proposal was put forward for redevelopment of the complex as a lobster
Lobster
Clawed lobsters comprise a family of large marine crustaceans. Highly prized as seafood, lobsters are economically important, and are often one of the most profitable commodities in coastal areas they populate.Though several groups of crustaceans are known as lobsters, the clawed lobsters are most...
hatchery.
External links
- http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/435021
- http://www.allaboutyou.com/country/Coast-Save-our-Seaside-open-air-pool-Tarlair/v1
- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/oliver.merrington/lidos/lidos4.htm#tarlair
- http://www.old-picture.com/europe/Tarlair-Macduff-Scotland.htm
- http://www.mes-marine.co.uk/mt/models/scotland.htm