Inverness (?) Public Baths

[jane k]

This isn`t really a Rootschat question but I can`t think who else to ask!  I`m just watching a programme about the history of the bathroom & was reminded of the the best bath I ever had, which was in a huge bath in  some Public Baths in or near Inverness during a rather basic camping holiday in about 1976. I think they were attached to a swimming pool.   I`ve tried googling them but without success so I assume they don`t exist anymore but I`d love to know more about them & what happened to them.

Many thanks

Jane

[IMBER]

I can't add much except to say that much to the dismay of older residents the baths were demolished some years ago.

[heilanlassie]

I remember going to the public baths in Inverness as a little girl.

My family lived in a flat above the Haugh Bar which only had a downstairs toilet.

[Chortlegirl]

Hi Jane

The public baths were in Glebe Street, Inverness, next to the riverside. On Google Maps Streetview there's just a pile of rubble where they used to be (not sure if anything else has been built on the site yet).

As far as I remember the baths were just past the entrance hall/pay kiosk and beyond the baths and up a flight of steps was the swimming pool.

Ah, you've brought back memories of being taught to swim by Mr Dyce (he was there for so long I think he taught most of Inverness to swim!).
Lynn

[jane k]

Hello Everyone
Thanks so much for your help - what a shame they have gone.  I have a vague memory of the changing rooms opening directly onto the swimming pool - perhaps just the Men`s.  Is that right?

Jane

[Chortlegirl]

Hi Jane

The changing cubicles (which were just about big enough for one!) did open on to the pool. As you entered, with the pool directly in front of you, there were cubicles all along the left hand side (for ladies) and along the right hand side for gents. The cubicles were made of dark wood with "saloon-style" doors.

But woe betide anyone who tried to get straight into the pool without first using the footbaths at the shallow end!

I found a pic on Am Baile, but it only shows the front of the building:

http://www.ambaile.org.uk/en/item/item_photograph.jsp?item_id=3329

I can almost smell the chlorine again!
Lynn

[jane k]

Thanks so much Lynn - I thought I remembered the `saloon style` doors but that seemed so unlikely I decided I must have imagined them!

Happy Days!  I was on a raspberry picking working holiday when I visited - the camp site only had a very basic shower so the Baths were absolute bliss!

Jane

[Big-toshie]

Ah The Baths in Inverness. First swimming lesson, sunk to bottom and instructor had to jump in and get me out. Still can't swim!

As you went out - vending machine where you could get chicken soup!

Bob