A QUEST is under way to turn a Scottish town back into one of the country’s most popular destinations for seaside holidays, amid developments in tourist experiences and a proposed new sea pool project.
A historic outdoor pool and travelling carnivals saw Arbroath host vast numbers of visitors from the central belt for their summer holidays between the 1930-60s, famously including Billy Connolly.
However, it suffered the same decline as other British seaside towns in the 1960s and 1970s as people began to holiday abroad.
Now, as people cancel flights and opt for staycations, an increase in the variety of outdoor adventure and family experiences on the Angus Tour is putting Arbroath and the surrounding area back on the map.
Visit Angus says the town, a central point on the Angus coastline which is home to a recently developed crazy golf and a swing park at West Links – both wheelchair accessible – is an ideal stepping stone to the rest of the area’s attractions.
Additionally, a sea pool project has been proposed at Inchcape park beach. Aiming to be a free facility, it will allow swimming at any time of day.
Chairperson Claire Pullar, an open water swimmer, and Kevin Smith, a former deep sea heavy construction and welding diver, set up a committee to oversee the project. They say that, once built, the pool will be virtually maintenance-free and future proof. Funds are being raised through lotteries, local councils, grant applications and donations. Construction is planned for 2024.
Meantime, Arbroath Cliff Tours, founded by Visit Angus Ambassador, outdoor enthusiast Cameron Smith – Kevin’s son – provides kayak tours of the town;s sea caves and rock formations.
Kevin said: “Arbroath is a beautiful seaside town with brilliant facilities. The Arbroath Sea Pool Project aims to complement Angus’s already vast appeal, adding a new exciting activity to the Angus Tour, which encourages people to head off the main roads and routes from Dundee to Aberdeen, following themed itineraries.
“The sea pool will allow the community and tourists alike to enjoy Arbroath’s sandy beach all year round. One of our main focuses is safety and giving more vulnerable people and children access to cold water thrills but in a safer environment, with a shallow end and soft sand.”
