New era for outdoor swimming in Scotland as stunning new pool designs revealed

Stunning new designs for an outdoor pool at a Scottish seaside town have been revealed as a project to revive the location’s sea swimming past moves to the next level.

The designs for the tidal pools at Saltcoats in North Ayrshire have been released by outdoor swimming pool architect Chris Romer-Lee and come as part of a campaign by resident Irene Campbell to bring the pools back into use.

The bold, modern designs, which feature a set of walkways, a viewing platform and a series of steps to lead bathers into the water, take the town’s tradition of outdoor swimming into the future.

At their peak, up to 2,000 swimmers took to the water every day at Saltcoats tidal pools, with a grand pavilion and sunbathing terrace, which opened in 1933, creating a little Continental feel on the edge of the Firth of Clyde.

The tidal pools at Saltcoats are set to be revived with designs by swimming pool architect Chris Romer-Lee now revealed. PIC: Chris Romer-Lee/Studio Octopi.

The pools fell out of use in 1980s with the pavilion and platforms, diving boards, slides and steps into the water all demolished. Plans are now taking shape to make the pools an attraction once more as the popularity of outdoor swimming soars again.

Mr Romer-Lee, founder of Studio Octopil, and Ms Campbell, a keen swimmer who set up the Splash Group to secure the revival of the pools, presented the drawings to a recent public meeting in the town hall, with an audible “gasp” heard when the designs were revealed.

The architect said the response had been “overwhelmingly positive” and that he wanted to mirror the “ambition and innovation” of the original scheme in these “challenging times” when people’s health remained a pressing national priority.

He said: “When Saltcoats’ Saltpans Bathing Place was opened in June 1933, the ambition and innovation was astounding.

The original tidal pools at Saltcoats will be revived with a series of steps, platforms and walkways to allow swimmers to enter the water safely. A viewing platform over the water has also been proposed. PIC: Chris Romer-Lee/Studio Octopi.

“Constructed from concrete and painted brilliant white, the Art Deco pavilion was one of many swimming facilities built across the UK that bought the aesthetic of the Cote d’Azur to the UK before cheap package holidays took hold.

"The architecture and facilities were forward looking, embracing health and wellbeing during The Great Depression of the 1930s. Post pandemic, the UK is facing similarly challenging times, the cost-of-living crisis is biting, and the nation’s health remains at the forefront of the political agenda. It’s our belief, to safely get access to the pool requires a similarly ambitious and striking architectural solution.”

Studio Octopi has also been commissioned to carry out a feasibility study into the future potential of Saltcoats Harbour as a destination for both town residents and those from futher afield, with North Ayrshire Council supporting the work.

Fundraising the first £500,000 will now begin to clean out the existing pools and install the initial steps and walkways.

Ms Campbell returned to the outdoor swimming spot during the pandemic when she could not access her nearest leisure centre.

Of the recent meeting, she said: “There was a gasp and lots of smiles when the design was revealed, with people overwhelmingly agreeing that they really liked it.”

Mr Romer-Lee, founder of Studio Octopi, is recognised globally as an urban water specialist. Projects include proposals for the Thames Baths floating lido in London, the extension and restoration of Grange Lido in Cumbria, the proposed reconstruction of the Peckham Lido and the restoration of the Category A Listed Tarlair Tea Pavilion in Aberdeenshire.