Leith Victoria Swim Centre Edinburgh
An architectural gem
Found in the very heart of residential Leith, Edinburgh, at the far end of Junction Place, is the Victoria Swim Centre. This apricot-coloured Victorian sandstone building is in the Renaissance style. Boasting two handsome entrance arches, the frontage sports the famous Persevere coat of arms with its ship sailing on a brisk sea.
Inside, the pool is surrounded by an ornate, Baroque, cast-iron colonnade, painted white, which holds up a balcony with equally decorated and fancy railings. On this mezzanine floor, which runs right around the pool, is a viewing area and access to other spaces. The overall, cantilevered glass ceiling lends a light and airy atmosphere to the traditional turquoise pool floor. Changing cubicles are between the columns with showers nearby, and a matching wrought-iron staircase leads upstairs.
This used to be my local, so I have often swum and exercised here. However, the day my bathroom ceiling collapsed was when I discovered there were actual individual baths. They were established following the enactment of the 1846 Act to Encourage the Establishment of Public Baths and Wash-houses to improve general public health with access for all classes of citizens. With huge taps and gushing hot water, I thought I had found heaven around the corner.
Sadly, the bathrooms have been removed, but the pool, the dance studio and high-spec gym for fitness and yoga classes, and activities for all ages, plus the Upmo Eat café, are all fully accessible and well worth a visit.
About this spot
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Edinburgh
Lochend Park
Birdwatching bounty
"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Newhaven Harbour
Fish and chips by the sea
Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Starbank Park
Gardens with a view
"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Water of Leith
River through the city
The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Wardie Bay
Wild swimming in the city
"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Dance Base
Dance your heart out
"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Dovecot Studios
Watch the weavers at work
The "Dovecot Studios" in Edinburgh were once public swimming baths where I'd swim every morning - now I can have a bird's eye view of weavers & looms...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop
Art and good coffee
The "Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop" is a bit of an institution. Going regularly means I can keep up with the artist’s work and enjoy a scone & jasmine tea.
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Granton Hub
Community arts
"Granton Hub" (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh is a community centre in a prosaic, truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Inverleith Park
Green space and games
"Inverleith Park" is kind of a mirror-image of the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens: one is lauded for its unusual trees, the other for its wide-open spaces
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Japanese Garden Lauriston Castle
Peace
"Lauriston Castle" in Edinburgh is fairly well known to tourists, but its Japanese garden is not. All is perfectly balanced here...
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Lothian Buses
Hop-on hop-off for less
In Edinburgh, you don't have to get on a tourist bus at all - get a day ticket for the local "Lothian Buses" and you can explore the city for cheap!
by
Tamsin
Grainger
Heading to Edinburgh?
138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to Edinburgh?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 138 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Edinburgh
Our team loves Edinburgh
Get to know our other Spotters from Edinburgh
As featured on:
