POOLING POWER

Scotland's only freshwater open-air swimming facility

- STEPHEN BARK

New Cumnock Swimming Pool has opened its doors for a new season of outdoor swimming after a near-record number of visitors in 2024.

In total, 31,599 swimmers visited the venue - Scotland's only public freshwater open-air heated swimming pool - last year and operators are confident of a record-breaking 2025.

Reopened by the then Prince Charles in 2017, the pool was saved from closure thanks to a £4million refurbishment of both the pool and New Cumnock Town Hall as part of the Dumfries House Outreach Programme.

In its six seasons since reopening, the pool has driven more than 150,000 visitors to East Ayrshire from all over the world. Its visitors' book includes entries from all over Europe and North America and further afield.

Following a winter break, aquafit classes resumed this week as part of a soft relaunch ahead of a full timetable resuming on Saturday, March 29.

Recent repairs to the pool have shortened seasons and, had 2024 been the full length - July alone saw more than 10,000 swimmers - it would have broken the record 2018 season which saw 33,977 visitors.