The first bathing pool at Bayswell Beach was built exclusively for ladies as part of the Dunbar Beach improvement scheme. Initially there was just a semi-natural pool filled by incoming tides. It opened in 1886. A dressing pavilion was built in 1904. The pool was given a concrete base in 1923. Building additional changing huts and a water chute gave employment to many local men.
A noteable feature is Doo Rock. This forms part of the seaward side of the perimeter and remains after demolition.
In June 1920, the swimming club was formed in connection with the school and swimming lessons began to be held in the pool. In the late 1920s the Swimming Gala Committee of three Council members liaised with the local swimming club to promote the swimming galas over the summer.
The Town Council moved to purchase The Glebe from 1927, and work started in 1928. There were complaints from the local barracks alleging damage from the blasting works.
The new pavilion with 170 cubicles and a freshwater spray room were opened in 1931 by Provost Sinton with over 2,000 spectators. In 1928, a boating pond was added to the complex.
Entertainment included exhibitions of swimming, diving, and lifesaving. The pool remained the centre of entertainment including beauty contests, late night swimming, music, and dancing.
The pavilion included a ballroom where local bands played.
For many years, the Miss Dunbar contest was held at the pool. The early contests for mostly local girls gave way by 1966 to the event of the summer, organised by both the Town Council and the Evening News. It became a stepping stone for Miss Scotland hopefuls.
On the 1st of June 1969 Dunbar met Burntisland in the in the It’s A Knockout Contest. A crowd of 4500 locals and tourists filled the seats and stretched along the promenade, glebe, and rocks around the pool. The “Water Lark’ began in 1974, was a chance for local organisations to have their own ‘Knockout’ and continued until the closure of the pool in 1981.
There was a continual battle with weather and storm damage leading to the pool closing in the 1970’s. The fight to save what was seen by many as Dunbar greatest attraction to summer visitors led to reopening under the Trade Association in 1979.
There was still the issue of the constant repairs, and the battle was lost with the final closing in 1981. The pool lay empty and was eventually demolished. The site was returned to its original rocky state.
| Name | Dunbar Swimming pool Marine Road, Dunbar, East Lothian, EH42 1AE, Scotland |
| Built / opened | 1886 as natural pool 1931 as concrete structure, opened by Provost Sinton |
| Cost | |
| Dimensions | 240′ x 151′ |
| Capacity | |
| Water type | Sea water |
| Depth(s) | 2′ 6″ to 5′ 6″, 7’6″ diving pit |
| Diving | |
| Changing facilities | 170 cubicles |
| Second pool | Adjacent boating lake may also have served as paddling pool |
| Spectator seating | |
| Designer | |
| Date closed | 1984 and demolished November of that year |
| Status | Demolished |
| On site now | Rocks and sea |
| Links | Dunbar Pool 1965 Miss Dunbar 1972 |
| Last updated | 12th July 2025 |
