Celebrating the 130th anniversary at Dalry Swim Centre

Dalry Swim Centre has welcomed bathers since 1895 to its 25 yard pool and Edinburgh Leisure celebrated its 130th birthday with a party on Monday.

The seven bay Italianate façade fronts the Victorian pool where generations of swimmers have learned to float and eventually swim.

When the pool faced closure in 2010 more than 3,500 people signed a petition to ensure it was retained by the council.Sarah Boyack MSP and former councillor Donald Wilson backed the campaign to save the pool for local people.

It was renovated in 2019 with new toilets and changing facilities, including disabled and family changing facilities, new tiling, flooring and a cosmetic upgrade throughout the building.

Jackie Sangster of Historic Environment Scotland delivered a talk about the legacy of Edinburgh’s pools many of which were built to promote cleanliness and hygiene among the working classes – not just to teach people how to swim.

Staff wore Victorian costume and had invited swimmers past and present to drop by the pool. Grove Swimming Club have trained at Dalry since 1901 and Jack Walker the head coach told us why it is so special to have their base there.

Artwork from Dalry Primary School is on display in the foyer.

Wendy Avinou Manager of Dalry Swim Centre

Wendy Avinou, Manager at Dalry Swim Centre said: “Dalry has been at the heart of the community for decade.

“We’re so lucky to have this gem of a building still in use today. Generations have learnt to swim here – grandparents, parents, and now their children. It’s a living legacy.”

John Duke, a regular swimmer at Dalry remembers: “I’ve been swimming at Dalry since the early ’90s and used to come after work at Oven Fresh, and even after moving house twice, I kept coming back. I brought my grandkids here three times a week, and I’ve been part of the over-60s sessions every Monday and Wednesday.

“Dalry’s always had a personal feel. The staff know me, they know my medical needs – I have diabetes, and they’ve always looked out for me. After my first shoulder operation, I used the pool for rehab – though I could only last five minutes in the sauna before the metal in my arm started heating up.

“Some of my favourite memories are the Christmas parties for the over-60s. They’d bring out a giant inflatable dog that took up half the pool, and we’d have a laugh before heading upstairs for sandwiches and a wee drink. Billy Reid, the supervisor, even dressed up as Santa! It’s not just the pool – it’s the staff and other customers that make Dalry special.”

Christine Baker, who is still involved with Grove Swimming Club said: ““I was seven years old in 1961 when my family moved from Fountainbridge to Caledonian Crescent.

“The flats there didn’t have showers or bathrooms – just a toilet – so I was taken to Dalry for a bath. At that time, the upper gallery had individual baths, some even with showers.

“Looking back, it seemed like a very strange place. The turnstile at the entrance, the sheer size of the building, and the noise – it was all quite overwhelming.

“Later, my dad took me into the pool (my mum couldn’t swim). At first, the water felt freezing. I sat on the steps at the shallow end for a while until Dad eventually persuaded me to come in. I thought I was doing quite well with my water wings – until I was told to take my feet off the bottom.

“Dalry was always a busy pool before the Royal Commonwealth Pool opened. During summer holidays, queues often stretched past the stair where we lived. Sessions were usually 40 minutes long. There were no coloured wristbands back then – just lifeguards blowing whistles and shouting at everyone to get out. Some people would try to hide in the changing cubicles so they could sneak into the next session.

“Admission cost sixpence (2½ pence) before 6pm, rising to one shilling (5 pence) afterward. You could hire towels and buy small bars of carbolic soap or sachets of shampoo.

Some standout memories:

“Going up to the deep end for the first time, with the teacher holding out a pole in case you got scared.

“Learning to dive off the side and the springboard—basically just a plank of wood covered in hessian. The high diving platforms, especially the top one, which was level with the gallery.

“When I was younger, I didn’t like going to the deep end when the boilers were rumbling – it made a loud, unsettling sound (though I’m not sure what the technical term was back then).

“I have many happy memories of Dalry. I joined Grove Swimming Club around 1967, and I’m still involved with the club today. We celebrate our 125th anniversary next year.”

Staff from Edinburgh Leisure donned Victorian costumes