Tarlair open air pool set for revival as restoration plans take shape

In its heyday, Tarlair open air pool was a holiday playground for children and families across the north east of Scotland.

Thousands would travel from far and wide to see the unique art deco site, which boasted swimming, paddling and boating pools.

Out of the water, pipe bands would regularly play poolside, while acts such as Wet Wet Wet and Runrig performed on stage at the venue.

But in 1995, with holidays abroad and heated indoor pools more common, the plug was pulled on the open air pool.

“This is where we spent our summers,” said Lorraine Smith, who now volunteers for the Friends of Tarlair.

She added: “The pool was always open from the last Sunday in May until the last Sunday in August. Back in those days we couldn’t afford holidays abroad so this is where we came.”

But as times changed, so did holiday habits. Families were able to go abroad, while others chose to swim in the warmth of heated indoor pools.

The once-loved basin in Tarlair closed in 1995, and for years was left unloved.

But now, thanks to the work of the community group, the historic pool could have a bright future.

Doreen Shearer, another local who volunteers for the Friends of Tarlair, said: “There is a lot of excitement, yes.

“It’ll never be what it was in its heyday, but we want to bring it back to almost like what it was.

“People from far and near used to come and picnic just on their day out.”

The group has spent more than a decade working on plans to renovate the pool and its surrounding areas.

And while plans for the basin’s future progress, the restoration of the café inside the pavilion has been completed.

Pat Wain has spearheaded the revitalisation of the facility and chairs the community organisation.

“We’re hoping that next week will be a practice week (for the café).

“We need to make sure the equipment is working and we don’t want to use the public as guinea pigs.

“Everything is new, cookers, mixers, everything is new. We just need to make sure everything is what everybody is accustomed to.”

The renovation of the café was phase two of the plans to bring the attraction back to life.

The next phase of the project involves renovating the pool, a job that the volunteers aren’t taking lightly.

“The big pool has got obvious issues. The outer wall has been breached, so it needs substantial repairs. The area covered in graffiti is the old changing rooms. They’re unsafe so they don’t need to be there anymore.

The Friends group expect the café to be fully operational later this month, and are hopeful that swimmers will be able to enjoy the open air delights of Tarlair in the not-too-distant future.