1. Gourock Bathing Pool
Opened in 1909, this is the oldest heated pool in Scotland, and the only open-air municipal pool that’s still open, other than Stonehaven. It was recently refurbished but still has historic 1950s-style leisure vibes. Heated to 29C, so it doesn’t need to be a scorcher (brilliant, but can get chock-a-block). Also has a diving board and kiddies’ pool. Open May to October, and like Stonehaven has 10pm-midnight on Wednesdays in summer, right up until the end of September.
Details £5.90 adult, £5.40, inverclydeleisure.com
2. Swimmers’ Quarry, Easdale
Cross to Easdale on the wee boat (five minutes, continuous service) from Ellenabeich on Seil Island. Do visit the museum and the Puffer pub but go beyond scattered houses, following paths to slate quarries full of seawater since 1881, with clear water like an enormous hotel swimming pool. The L-shaped one with its little bench is easiest; the water can be blue like the Aegean.
Details Free, easdale.org
3. Stonehaven Open Air Pool
The Friends of Stonehaven’s outdoor pool won the day and saved a great facility that goes from length to strength. A fabulous 1930 pool — it’s the UK’s only art deco Olympic-sized seawater lido. Moonlight swims are from 10pm-midnight, Jul/Aug on Wednesdays (is that cool or what?). A new chute opened in 2021. It’s heated saltwater heaven (28C). Open May to early September. The Bay has top fish and chips and Aunty Betty’s ice cream is on the prom nearby.
Details £10 adult, £6.60 child, stonehavenopenairpool.co.uk
4. The Trinkie and the North Baths, Wick
Follow the cliff walk up from harbour or by car a mile south of town. It’s not an organised set-up but a pool sluiced and filled by the sea within a natural formation of rocks. Wild swimmer volunteers have cleaned and painted it up. It now looks beautifully inviting, its name written large on the rocks. Wickers also go to the North Baths near the harbour (Wick side) and opposite the wee lighthouse.
Details Free, facebook.com/TrinkieWick
5. Glengorm Bathing Pool, Mull
A pool sluiced and filled by the sea near an Iron Age fort on the headland of the beautiful Glengorm estate, four miles north of Tobermory off the Dervaig road. Some seaweed fringing but once it was filled with white sand (they say one day it may be restored). In the meantime, it’s great for for swimming baggers and the like. It’s 45 minutes from one of the best coffee shops on Mull on a lovely walk via stone circles — watch for Heilan’ coos.
Details Free, glengormcastle.co.uk
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Taken from Scotland the Best by Peter Irvine (HarperCollins, £17.99). Or buy from timesbookshop.co.uk. Discount for Times+ members
Is there a swimming spot you’d like to see added to our list? Let us know in the comments
