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Tarlair Swimming Pools

Wild Swimming Spot

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Woodland, Riverside, Valley

Walking, Swimming, Photography

Spring and Summer

Photo: Alan Murray-Rust via Geograph.org.uk

Tarlair is a set of open-air swimming pools built in the Art Deco style of the 1930s, tucked against the sea cliffs just east of the town of Macduff in Aberdeenshire. Opened in 1931 and filled with pumped seawater, they were a busy seaside lido until they closed in the 1990s and fell derelict. A loc...

10

Parking nearby

0

Food Spots nearby

2

Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

1 day, 9 overnight

Moss Cabin, Bankhead Croft House

Nearest Hidden Gem 1

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

Nearest Hidden Gem 3

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is Tarlair Swimming Pools?
Aberdeenshire's rugged coast hosts this coastal spot just outside Macduff. Walkers find the site along the base of the cliffs.

What type of place is Tarlair Swimming Pools?
Tarlair Swimming Pools is an outdoor tidal lido complex near Macduff in Scotland.

When is the best time to visit Tarlair Swimming Pools?
Spring and summer offer the most agreeable weather conditions for exploring the open-air grounds. Brighter days bring out the best colours on the old concrete.

What can you do at Tarlair Swimming Pools?
Walking along the concrete paths gives excellent views of the surrounding cliffs and the sea. Visitors can enjoy a coffee at the community café or take photographs of the architecture.

How long should I spend at Tarlair Swimming Pools?
Spending around an hour allows enough time to explore the old basins and see the pavilion. Anyone combining this with a coastal walk might prefer to stay longer.

Where do I park at Tarlair Swimming Pools?
Spaces are available for ten vehicles nearby, including 1 day and 9 overnight spots. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near Tarlair Swimming Pools?
There are no food spots recorded immediately near Tarlair Swimming Pools, check the UK Hidden Gems app for the nearest options.

Where can I stay near Tarlair Swimming Pools?
Moss Cabin and Bankhead Croft House represent two staycation properties to book nearby. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

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Last Updated:

02 July 2026

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