General view of Bathing Place, Skeoch Wood, Rothesay, Bute, from SSE

Description General view of Bathing Place, Skeoch Wood, Rothesay, Bute, from SSE

Date 28/6/2011

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number DP 101534

Category On-line Digital Images

Scope and Content Rothesay continued to expand along the shoreline during the 19th and early 20th century. Restricted by the rocky hill and Skeoch Wood to the north/north-west, this area takes a linear form running along the shoreline, with only the main road and the Bathing Place occupying the the narrowest strip of flat land. Rothesay was still a popular tourist destination well into the 20th century, as seen by the continuing expansion during the early 1900s. Replacing the Victorian salt-water bathing place, established on the site in 1882, the scale of Thomas Johnston Beveridge's concrete and tiled bathing station dating from 1930 demonstrates how popular sea bathing was in Rothesay during this period. Consisting of a central Art Deco-style entrance pavilion at street level leading to flanking ranges of cream-tiled changing rooms, toilets and other facilities set below road level. The central block also contained a cafe, and there was a spectator gallery on the extensive terraces stepping down to the sea. The site has been out of use for many decades now and is becoming increasingly derelict. With the outbreak of World War II, Bute operated as a naval anchorage (1940-57). The island performed a range of duties during the war, including salvaging torpedoed vessels, being the home-base for submarine flotillas and the boatyard, plus a floating dock used for repairs at Port Bannatyne. Many hotels and larger homes in Rothesay were requisitioned as accommodation and administrative buildings, with the Kyles of Bute Hydro renamed HMS Varbel when it was requisitioned in September 1942 for a training base for midget submarines and human torpedoes. In addition, the bathing station was requisitioned as a NAAFI during the war. The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes was established by the government in 1921 to run canteens and some recreational facilities for services personnel. The Winter Gardens was also used as a kitchen and mess for the forces for a time.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/1239783

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap