The opening of Stonehaven’s swimming pool was a spectacle to behold on a sunny summer’s day in June 1934.
The blazing sun glinted off the crystal-clear water, while the colourful reflections of ladies’ summer dresses danced around on the shimmering surface.
The jolly bunting fluttered excitedly in the gentle North Sea breeze, capturing the sense of anticipation on the day.
And what a joyous day it was. The glorious sunshine just added to a heady occasion that brought a taste of 1930s society to the coastal resort.
Enjoying a nostalgic look back at Stonehaven Outdoor Pool in its heyday, we’ve dug out 10 photos from old editions of The Press and Journal from the 1930s.
‘A colourful spectacle’
On June 4, more than 3000 people descended on Stonehaven to join in the gala day of celebration.
Hailed as one of “the most important days in the history and development of the town for many years”, the excitement was palpable.
Townsfolk and visitors alike enjoyed a first glimpse at the state-of-the art lido, which was at the cutting edge of Art Deco design.
An Olympic-sized pool was surrounded by a glazed concrete surface, with dressing cubicles, a verandah and tea room on one side, and a bandstand on the other.
The Press and Journal reported: “It was the most colourful spectacle the town has seen for a long time.
“Music was given by the Stonehaven silver and pipe bands, and gramophone records were relayed through the loud speakers.”
Pioneering vision for recreation
Stonehaven was already a haven for holidaymakers and pleasure-seekers who thronged to the seaside town each summer season.
And the new outdoor swimming pool was part of a pioneering vision of the town council to capitalise on this popularity.
Acknowledging the beach wasn’t really suitable for the growing recreation of “sea-bathing”, an outdoor swimming pool was the ideal solution.
Swimmers could enjoy the health benefits of fresh sea air, salt water and sunshine, without sharing the water with a busy fishing port.
Although the pool still proved rather chilly for most swimmers’ liking.
‘One of the finest playgrounds in Scotland’
Upon opening the pool, then-MP Charles Malcolm Barclay-Harvey said “in Stonehaven they possessed one of the most beautiful recreation grounds in the whole east coast of Scotland, and now in close proximity to those grounds they had constructed a magnificent swimming pool”.
He added: “Stonehaven has now one of the most up-to-date and finest playgrounds in the whole of Scotland.
“In appearance and workmanship it is first-class and represents a notable achievement for Stonehaven.
“The town has a high reputation among the tourist resorts of Scotland.”
Mr Barclay-Harvey concluded that he was “optimistic enough” to believe that Stonehaven and the north-east had “a great future as a holiday centre”.
A runaway success
The optimism was well founded – in the first two days of being open, 5000 visitors took to the outdoor pool.
And within three weeks, more than 20,000 people had passed through the turnstiles at Stonehaven.
The summer season featured diving demonstrations, bonnie baby contests, night-time swims, water polo matches, galas – and even fireworks displays.
By the time the season finished at the end of September, more than 140,000 people had visited the new swimming pool.
It had been a runaway success. But, as hardy as Scots are, the pool proved just a little too cool, and the town council pledged to heat the water the following season.
Now, nearly 90 years on, Stonehaven outdoor pool is once again gearing up for a summer season of fun and frolics.
The pool has undergone major renovations, but is set to open in June for a programme of events including moonlight swims and inflatable fun.
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