Scotland the best
Open-air swimming
You’ll find excellent lidos and pools all over Scotland – we just can’t promise good weather!
Stonehaven Outdoor Pool
Fabulous 1930s Olympic-sized saltwater pool, heated to 28ºC. Open now until September 1, 10am to 730pm and 10am to 6pm on weekends. Visitors can also enjoy midnight swims from 10pm on Wednesdays in July and August – how cool is that? Eat at The Bay...top fish ‘n’ chips on the prom nearby. stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk (01569) 762134
Gourock Bathing Pool
Historic baths have recently been refurbished. Also heated to 29ºC, it doesn’t need to be a scorcher to enjoy an al fresco swim, which is brilliant, but it can get chocka-block. May to October weekdays until 7.30/8pm, weekends 4.30pm. (01475) 213122
The Trinkie, Wick
On the south side of town, follow the cliff walk up from the harbour or go by car through the housing estate. Not an organised set-up but a pool sluiced and filled by the sea, set within a natural rock formation. You’ll enjoy a bracing stroll, never mind immersion. However, it does need a little TLC.
The Bathing Pool, Glengorm Estate, Mull
This pool is filled by the sea, and sits beside an Iron Age Fort on the headland of the beautiful estate. There is some seaweed fringing but once it was filled with white sand. In the meantime, it’s great for swimming baggers and the like. But watch out for cows.
The Step Rock Pool, St Andrews
Shallow bathing pool between West Sands and East Sands beaches, below the Aquarium. Gentlemen have swam naked here, where the water provides a shallow alternative to the colder sea, since 1903. Costumes now advised! eliewatersports.co.uk (01333) 330962