Best Pools in Scotland for Kids
2 May 2023
Whether it’s for holiday entertainment or swimming lessons, fun swims or family time, in wet weather or dry, visiting swimming pools and leisure centres remains one of the most popular pastimes for the people of the UK.
In this article, we focus specifically on finding some of the best pools in Scotland for kids.
Dunbar Leisure Pool, East Lothian
Visitors have written great reviews about Dunbar Leisure Pool, located near the harbour, and it’s easy to see why.
The pool features a beached area for those who prefer a more gradual entrance into the water. There are plenty of smaller water characters in the shallower areas for the younger children, plus water jets and a wave machine for the more confident swimmers to negotiate.
A big water flume dominates the area and times its users’ entrance and exits from top to bottom - great for encouraging that competitive spirit.
Stonehaven Open Air Swimming Pool, Aberdeenshire (seasonal)
You’ll find a fabulous Olympian (50 metre) outdoor pool filled with fun and activities here. Stonehaven is a novel, seasonal pool filled with clean sea water heated to a balmy 29°C (85°F). It features a packed daytime timetable with activities for all ages and abilities and even includes moonlit swimming sessions. Outside of the quieter, adults-only periods, kids can enjoy inflatables, a water chute, and a toddler paddling pool.
A sun terrace and a cafe provide rest and food when it's time for refuelling.
Inverness Leisure, Inverness
Inverness Leisure is another excellent Scottish swimming/leisure complex geared up for visitors of all ages and abilities. Besides a 25-metre, eight-lane competition pool for the more serious swimmers and aqua aerobics fans, the leisure pool features a lazy river complete with jets and geysers; not one, but three flumes; a wave machine, family spa bath, and warm toddler pool - and an outdoor pool besides. Visitors will be spoiled for choice; kids won’t want to leave!
Beacon Leisure Centre, Fife
Burntisland is a seaside town with lots to offer visitors: parks, a fairground, a skatepark, and a lovely walk along the beach. But when the weather is cold and/or wet, Beacon Leisure Centre provides hours of entertainment for busy kids looking for something to do. With its gentle, sloping beach entry, two water flumes, a wave machine, and a 25-metre laned area for serious swimmers, the leisure centre has everything a family needs to while away a few hours of fun-filled activity. Throw in some dance, gym, and sport, and your kids will sleep well at night!
The Time Capsule, Coatbridge
With its original name, you might not know what you were looking for unless you were familiar with the area.
However, you would miss out on a fantastic leisure centre packed with activities for swimmers of all ages and abilities and wholly suitable for family days out.
The Time Capsule has a vast water park. It includes two fast and furious storm-chaser flumes named Thunder and Lightning, with a combined length of 100 metres, and a Tsunami Wave Pool where the waves can reach up to 2.3 metres high. Four people can ride the flume together in the Tornado Tantrum, and in the aptly named Splashdown Island, you will most certainly get very wet!
Bring lots of energy with you; you’ll need it to ride The Time Capsule.
We hope you find our short list of swimming attractions helpful. It’s not exhaustive, but it provides somewhere to start.
Note that these places are such fun that they get busy. Check the websites for booking if required, and ensure all features are open before you travel to avoid disappointment.