The sun made a long overdue appearance in the north-east yesterday – just in time for swimmers to make the most of the region’s only outdoor pool on its final opening day of 2015.
Families turned out in force at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool as the curtain closed on one of the coldest summers in years.
The popular Art Deco lido opened in May and the committee behind it – the Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Pool – said it had been a remarkably successful year despite the gloomy conditions.
The Olympic-sized baths, which date back to 1934, attracted thousands of holidaymakers and locals to the salty waters over the summer.
Last night spokeswoman for the friends group, Elma McMenemy, said the pool’s 29C temperature meant people had enjoyed themselves no matter what the weather.
She added: “Given the summer has been – until today, pretty cold and wet – we have been really delighted that the pool has been reasonably busy.
“What we have been working on for a few years is trying to educate people that you can still have fun in the pool even if it is pouring rain.
“You are wet anyway in the pool, but the water is so warm it feels quite pleasant to have rain on your back.
“People are especially surprised that the slide is open for adults as well, I think there are kids of all ages enjoying it.”
To finish the season off, the lifeguard of the year award went to Duncan McRae – who was nominated for his hard work maintaining the pool and keeping swimmers safe by his colleagues.
Mrs McMenemy said he was a worthy winner.
“What makes that really special is that it is the lifeguards who vote for each other, he has been elected lifeguard of the year by his peers,” she said.
David Dobbie, trustee of the Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Pool, said: “It has been a very good season and the numbers have been better than the weather might have led you to believe.
“We are looking forward to another good season in May.”