Historic tidal pool in Cellardyke making waves once again after major four-year facelift

A historic coastal swimming pool in Fife is making a splash with locals and visitors after a four-year facelift.

Cellardyke tidal pool opened in the 1930s and had fallen into a state of disrepair.

But it has now been restored to its former glory.

Swimmers keen to take a bracing dip, paddle boarders, and members of the model boat club are all now enjoying the refurbished facility.

It’s bringing back fond memories for Margaret Turbyne as she learned to swim in the pool as a child.

“This was my playground when I was young, and my son and daughter’s,” she said.

“I have osteoarthritis and it’s a brilliant benefit for that because it just keeps things at bay.”

Fellow swimmer Laura McAlpine travels from Glenrothes several times a week to join a group of ladies in the pool.

She told STV News: “We have a laugh, we have a swim, we shout things getting into the cold water. But when you’re in, it’s fabulous. When you come out, you’ve got energy all day.”

The pool opened in 1932 in an era when holidays at home and outdoor swimming were popular.

Like so many seaside attractions, the pool fell into decline and was left to decay. Now after four years of hard graft and fundraising, it’s been restored to its former glory.

It was a haven for Christine Wilson during the pandemic.

She brought her daughter to the pool and went on to form a group of volunteers who raised money to renovate the pool and remove debris that had built up over the years.

“It’s a dream to see it like this,” explained Christine.

“In the 1930s, this was a jewel to local people and visitors. Nowadays, you come down here and there are so many holidaymakers who stand here reminiscing about coming here on holiday and learning to swim in the pool.”

Andy Hancock, secretary of Cellardyke Tidal Pool, added: “We’ve now guard rails, two sets of access steps down to the beach. We’ve also got an extra set of steps for those who can’t safely use the guard rails.

“We have 825 square metres of concrete that’s good for people to sit on and use when the tide is right. The children’s pool had four metres of wall missing – that’s been reinstated, so all-in-all we now have a nice safe place for families to enjoy.”

The pool is now being enjoyed by all ages and bringing many health and social benefits.

Angie Hancock didn’t know anyone when she moved to Cellardyke three years ago but the pool has led to new friendships.

She said: “I was sitting having a coffee at the shack and I sat beside this lovely lady who said you must come swimming. I looked at the water and thought ‘not on your nelly’.

“However, a week later I thought I’d take the plunge and come and meet everybody. I now come six days out of seven if I can.”

Fellow swimmer Linda McBride added: “I suffer with back pain, sciatica, but see when you’re in the pool, you don’t feel a thing.”

The volunteers at Cellardyke Tidal Pool are fundraising for the next phase of work.

They have plans to raise £60,000 to build a ramp, ensuring it is accessible for anyone to make a splash.