Tarlair Swimming Pool

Tarlair Swimming Pool is a unique Art Deco-style outdoor swimming pool located just to the east of Macduff on the northeast coast of Scotland. An outdoor swimming pool in Scotland!? Yes, we do get nice weather now and then! But I have a feeling it was warmer in the 1930s when this facility was built - or people were just a wee bit tougher back then!

Tarlair is a place that's been on my visit list for a long time. Once left to decay for decades, it has now undergone a modern revamp, and it is well worth your time for a visit while touring the northeast.

History of Tarlair

Tarlair is one of Scotland’s last surviving outdoor sea-water swimming pools, a striking Art Deco complex built into a natural rocky bay just east of Macduff. Designed by John C. Miller, the town’s Burgh Surveyor, and constructed by local firm Robert Morrison & Son, it opened in 1931 at the height of the craze for open-air pools.

The site was more than just a swimming pool: it included a tidal swimming pool, a boating pool, a paddling pool, curved walkways and a tea pavilion. At high tide the sea replenished the swimming pool completely - a feature that made Tarlair unusual, as few pools of this scale were designed to be tidal. The inclusion of a boating pool was also rare, with Dunbar being the only other comparable example.

During the 1930s, outdoor pools were thriving social hubs, with grand facilities at places like Portobello and Dunbar. Most of those have long since disappeared, leaving Tarlair, Stonehaven and Gourock as the last survivors. Of these, Tarlair remains the one that best preserves its original appearance.

Although modest in its buildings, the sweeping curves of the pools and their dramatic setting make Tarlair a remarkable piece of design. Aside from minor alterations, it looks much as it did in the 1930s. Closed since 1995, it stands today as a rare and atmospheric reminder of Scotland’s seaside leisure heritage.

Friends of Tarlair Community Group

Since 2012, the Friends of Tarlair have campaigned to save and restore the pool. Working in phases, they first stabilised the site and then secured funding from Aberdeenshire Council to restore the Art Deco pavilion, which reopened in 2025 as a café and community hub. Their next goal is the tidal pool itself, with recent grants supporting design work towards bringing it back into use. Thanks to their efforts, Tarlair has shifted from a forgotten relic to a living part of the community once more.

The group should be applauded for their outstanding efforts.

Please see the before and after photo below:

Our visit to Tarlair Outdoor pool

My family and I visited Tarlair on a beautiful sunny day in mid-August. We arrived via Macduff, following High Shore Road, then Tarlair Road to reach the car park.

There was ample room in the free car park for many cars. We arrived early, so we had the pick of the spaces. However, the car park did fill up to capacity later in the day, so be aware if you visit on a sunny afternoon.

It's not possible to see the Lido building or the pool from the car park, but we followed the obvious route, past the gate, and the main structures became visible. It's a very short walk for those with disabilities or wheelchair users.

We took a picnic and sat at one of the many benches, enjoying our food and taking in the special ambience of the place. Many other visitors were exploring around the pools and grounds of the facility.

The Lido

The star attraction of visiting Tarlair is the newly refurbished Lido building that looks out onto the two pools. There is a lovely cafe here now, run by volunteers. The building also houses a large toilet block.

The roof of the building is now also accessible and is the perfect place to sit, enjoying the nice food and drinks purchased from the cafe.

We explored the areas around the pool, including the closed-off changing rooms and the pool. There is a walk to the east up the hill to the golf course. It's possible to walk to the cliff head and look back towards Tarlair, or take in the stunning sea views and craggy coastline.

FAQs on Tarlair Swimming Pools

Is it possible to swim in the tidal pools?

No, the water here is toxic and is not for swimming until further work is completed.

What can I do at Tarlair if I'm unable to swim?

It's just a lovely place to visit. The location is a natural amphitheatre, and the revamped Lido is a natural attraction, offering food/drinks and a vantage point on the roof.

Where else can I visit nearby?

A must-visit is Macduff Aquarium, but at the time of writing this article (August 2025), a new extension is being built, so it is currently closed.

Boyndie Visitor Centre is located a short drive to the west, featuring a small garden centre, a tea room, and a walk to the nearby windfarm.

Further east are the lovely coastal villages of Gardenstown, Crovie and Pennan (Famous for being a film location for "Local Hero"). Boyne Castle is closer to Portsoy, but very ruinous and dangerous.

Duff House and its grounds in nearby Banff are also well worth a visit.

Videos

Here are a few videos of our visit to Tarlair:

       

Key Information

• Tarlair is an Art Deco outdoor complex with a tidal pool, a boating pool, a paddling pool, a tea pavilion and curved walkways.

• Built: 1930–31, designed by John C. Miller.

• One of only three surviving outdoor seaside pools in Scotland (along with Stonehaven and Gourock).

• The sea replenishes the swimming pool at high tide — rare for pools of this scale.

• Closed 1995; lay derelict for decades, then reopened in 2025.

• Café, toilets, picnic benches, and a roof terrace with sea views.

• Swimming is not currently permitted.

Conclusion

From its glamorous 1930s heyday to decades of decline, and now to its rebirth as a café and gathering place, Tarlair has always been a place where people come together. You can’t swim here just yet, but you can soak up the atmosphere, explore the dramatic coastline, and imagine the laughter and splashes that once echoed off the rocks. For anyone touring the northeast, Tarlair is a stop that blends history, architecture, and community spirit in one unforgettable setting.