Fun for all ages as Stonehaven open-air pool opens for season

Among the visitors at the opening of Stonehaven open air pool at the weekend were two men with an 80-year connection to the attraction.

Mearns octogenarians George Swapp and Bruce Whitelaw were splashing around the lido when it opened in 1934, and brought their trunks to enjoy its summer opening day on Saturday.

Mr Swapp, 83, is from the area and was a local councillor for many years, and had the holiday job of deputy pool superintendent as a youth.

Mr Whitelaw was four years old when his family visited Stonehaven from Glasgow. He has returned every year since, bringing his children and grandchildren with him so they could learn to swim, and moved to the town in 1991.Click here for a full photo galleryMr Whitelaw said: “The pool looks better now than it did 80 years ago.”

Elma McMenemy, of the Friends of Stonehaven Open Air Pool group, said the pool’s 80th anniversary weekend saw the “perfect” opening conditions for a first day.

She added: “We’ve had some comments saying the water temperature was brilliant and it was a super day.”

“The kids had a great time it was absolutely outstanding.”