Chris Romer-Lee

Tarlair Outdoor Pool

Guiding the restoration of a much-loved seawater pool

The much-loved complex of seawater pools at Tarlair was among the largest in Scotland when it was completed in the 1930s, offering saltwater swimming on a rocky coastline where access to the water is otherwise difficult. Its art deco tea pavilion is Category A-listed, although both it and the pools fell into disrepair after closing in the 1990s.

I first became involved in the project while at Studio Octopi, when the Friends of Tarlair – the community group formed to rescue the pool – commissioned us to undertake a feasibility study in collaboration with Studio Octopi and a team of specialist consultants. In the study, we looked at the issues, costs and opportunities around restoring the complex, bringing the site back into use for both the community and tourists. The first phase of work – the restoration and extension of the tea pavilion as a community space – was completed in November 2024. The next phase will include the restoration of the pools themselves and the changing rooms, and will be submitted for planning and listed building consent in 2025.

You can read more about the architecture and conservation of the pavilion here: Studio Octopi | Tarlair Outdoor Pool