The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
TAKING A DIP BACK IN TIME
That inspired her and two friends to launch Kool Water Swimmers (KW1), which describes itself as a “friendly and casual swimmer/ dipper group”.
Members post regular updates online about meet-ups (at North Baths, along the coast at Dunnet Beach and beyond, and special sunrise and sunset dips), and invite folk to help out with maintenance work, whether shovelling sand from the baths – “please come with a rake or a spade” – or fundraising challenges.
“The ball is rolling to save the baths and temporary repairs will bide us enough time to raise the £15,000-plus needed to do proper repairs,” says Patty.
“When we emptied the pool, we found an old bike and an old shell from the Second World War!
“But it’s a magical place. There’s a small section that we call our ‘infinity pool’ and the view is amazing. There’s also what feels like a spa where the natural rock is tiered.
“There are so many health benefits to swimming in cold water and it’s great to bring people together after the awful year we’ve had with Covid. I doubt very much I will go back to an indoor pool, sea swimming or a chlorinated pool.”
KW1 co-founder Claire Mcgovern said: “We really enjoy the buzz of being in the water – you’re guaranteed to come away from a dip with a smile on your face and a wee spring in your step.
“We want to encourage anyone with a niggle of inquisitiveness to give it a go. We’re a friendly, fun bunch of like-minded folks keen to welcome new people.”
THE TRINKIE
Also in Wick, a group of volunteers is stepping up efforts to reinstate The Trinkie, a natural rock pool which was a popular hang-out for swimmers until a few years ago.
The Trinkie Heritage Preservation Group is on a mission to save it from crumbling and return it to its former glory.
It was badly damaged in a storm a few years ago and the group is in the midst of raising the £20,000 needed to do repairs.
Secretary Catherine Patterson learned to swim in The Trinkie, as did generations of locals.
“People have fond memories of The Trinkie and still go there to explore the rock pools,” she says.
“Families have socialised there for decades and we want to restore it to celebrate its historic role in the area.”
FAMILIES HAVE SOCIALISED THERE FOR DECADES AND WE WANT TO RESTORE IT TO CELEBRATE ITS HISTORIC ROLE IN THE AREA
TARLAIR POOL
Meanwhile, at Tarlair pool in Macduff, Banffshire, efforts are being made to breathe new life into the once-popular and now deteriorating venue.
Built in 1931, the Art Deco pool, with toddler pool and boating pool – which once boasted a tea pavilion and changing rooms
– was granted A-listed building status by Historic Scotland in 2007.
As holidays abroad became cheaper in the 1970s, visitors dwindled and the decision was taken to close. The site was never wholly out of public consciousness, and hosted all sorts of events, reinventing itself as a venue for open-air concerts.
In 1994, Runrig and Wet Wet Wet played at Tarlair as part of an annual festival, hot on the heels of Jethro Tull and Fish in 1993.
The pavilion closed in 1996 and is being passed from Aberdeenshire Council to the Friends of Tarlair group, established in 2015 to rejuvenate the site.
In 2015, the council repaired the boating pool, toddler pool and terrace to the tune of £300,000 and the Friends group is applying for funding for more repairs.
They were delighted when Greenspace Banffshire, in tandem with VisitAberdeenshire, recently planted 420 trees around the site, with help from locals including a chap in his 90s.
Chairwoman Pat Wain says the iconic structure is steeped in history and hopes it can be redeveloped.
“A great local sense of identity remains, even in its semi-derelict state,” she says.
“We’ve formed links with the Macduff Marine Aquarium, Coastal Paths Forum, Banff Business Forum, wild water swimming groups, Banff Countryside Group, Macduff Primary School and VisitScotland, who see Tarlair as an exciting new product.
“It sits well with tourism in the area, including the North East 250 route and potential visits when cruise ships dock in Aberdeen.
“Our hope is that the big swimming pool can gain funds for repair soon after the pavilion – the final stage to restoration.
“Continued fundraising and the proceeds from the pavilion business will be needed for ongoing maintenance.”
PORTKNOCKIE
In Moray, locals faced with the loss of the small 1950s tidal pool at Portknockie raised almost £30,000 for repairs to ensure its survival.
Donna Coull organised the fundraising events with friend Lilian Urquhart.
And while her daughter Kirsty Farquhar and husband Steven take care of the majority of the maintenance, they’re bolstered by a team of helpers, one of whom is 83.
“Ten years ago Moray Council decided to hand over the pool to the village or fill it in,” says Donna.
“At that time a group of paddling pool users took it over and maintained it, cleaning and painting it.
“But about four years ago we noticed it was leaking and walls had started to break, so Kirsty, Lilian and myself started a major fundraising campaign to get our beautiful blue pool repaired.
“It was really busy last summer and it’s great to see.”
PORTSOY
Portsoy in Aberdeenshire boasts a very sorry-looking tidal pool but some brave locals do risk using it.
It was closed in 2001 because it failed to comply with health and safety legislation.
Councillor Glen Reynolds says while the cost to bring the pool back to a safe, usable standard would be considerable, he would support plans to restore it, if there’s a demand.
“People would need to be aware of a plethora of safety and insurance issues, but with the right funding it is possible,” he says.
“It’s a beautiful stretch of the coast and post-Covid, for health and wellbeing as well as a fun day out, this is exactly the sort of outdoor activity which should be considered.”
HISTORY
Generations of brave souls learned to swim in Scotland’s coastal tidal pools, long before heated and indoor versions were invented.
Hugely popular among Victorian and Edwardian swimmers, they cropped up along the coast, from Scalloway in Shetland – sadly bulldozed to make way for a car park in 1993 – to Powfoot in Dumfries and Galloway.
Far more modest than lidos, boasting heated pools such as at Stonehaven and Gourock, tidal pools emerged from rocks, were supported by man-made walls and access points, and replenished naturally with seawater.
They offered little in the way of safety features, often being accessed by a set of slippery steps and a rusting handrail.
The lack of water filters meant swimmers often came face to face with seaweed and debris.