Bon Accord Baths - Feb 20

Derelict Places

Help Support Derelict Places:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

UrbandonedTeam

Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2017
Messages
235
Reaction score
1,285
Location
UK
Bon Accord Baths


49923025782_1cee70694c.jpg



Bon Accord Baths was constructed to provide a centrally located public baths in Aberdeen, as previously the public bathed at baths overlooking Aberdeen beach. Although the foundation stone was laid in 1936 the building was not completed until August 1940 and cost £37,000. The swimming pool is 120 feet long x 42 feet wide with the water varying in depth from 3 to 15 feet. Flanking the pool is raked seating for 1000 spectators to view the many galas that were held at the pool. The baths closed in March 2008 due to budget cuts.


49923025737_98306fcc92_c.jpg



Many galas and events were held at the pool throughout it's 75 years in use.


In February we headed to Aberdeen for a three day trip with DustySensorPhotography with too much on our list for the three days available. I can't remember whether it was due to a storm or something else, but every train we were supposed to use got cancelled and our 4 hour journey quickly turned into 8 hours and a couple of our planned leads being missed out on. Nevertheless, we persevered and ending up having a reasonably successful and fun trip. Bon Accord was probably the place I wanted to manage most - there was something about it. We scouted the architecturally stunning structure multiple times on the second and third day in passing, but it looked well sealed. On the third day before our train and Oli's flight, we decided to give it a final push and try an interesting method of entry I've definitely not done prior. Maybe we were hungover from the night before, but surprisingly it worked and we were in.


The pool is amazing and it's such a shame it isn't in use. The huge windows let in tons of natural light, with their frames holding up the immense arch. I think a few years ago, the pool hall was covered in graffiti and quite a bit of crap was lobbed around by vandals. However, that's about how far the destruction goes, and the rest of the building is in great condition, with any deterioration being natural. Some parts such as the tiled plunge pool look like they could still be in use.


49911193317_74ddbf5939_b.jpg



49911202547_0d0fd4f272_z.jpg



Past and present: the pool kept all of it's original details, such as the sculptured diving board platforms and the timber seating.


49910897731_0a141e2a82_b.jpg



Close up of the seats. Some of them have decayed to the ground.


49921467417_acf758148b_b.jpg



49921161451_952ace461d_b.jpg




The underwater lighting in the pool was apparently some of the earliest examples of such.


49921152716_dc186d1595_b.jpg




49921467632_0b4947a610_b.jpg




49920652048_617bb2fc3a_b.jpg




Male changing rooms.



49921168076_ab3a2b2236_b.jpg




49921464602_f78997cc80_b.jpg




The walkway connecting the pool to reception. Possibly at some point it was locked (?) which may explain the lack of vandalism in the other leisure facilities.



49920649698_35cd290dbf_b.jpg




Reception. The walls are blonde 'rippled sycamore' timber panelling and chrome fittings.



49921166051_caeef535ec_b.jpg




Main entrance.



49920650543_174bf5ba3f_b.jpg




The gym beside reception contained a lot of old equipment. More was placed in the corridor on the other side.



49921166581_58f6a9ea9e_b.jpg




49921166421_ed6a53dea7_b.jpg




49921465182_cb001e4a8d_b.jpg




Changing rooms with awesome lights.



49921466962_cde339c898_b.jpg




The 3 storey region of the structure had a nice, Art Deco staircase.



49920651638_0e139e1714_b.jpg




On the second floor was saunas, steam rooms and the plunge pool.



49920650963_1a9c27d8e2_b.jpg




49920651183_2e7875aa7e_b.jpg




49920650668_f00e30aba5_b.jpg




Plunge pool, used for hydrotherapy, aquatic exercise and relaxation.



That's all for the photographs. Here is the link to our documentary styled video on the site. We cover Bon Accord's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:



https://youtu.be/ndRoDnAEzKc



Thanks for reading :)
 
Argghhh! Why do people paint walls with a water base paint over an oil base? That flaking would have occurred sooner or later even if they had kept the baths open.
I was wondering what they could do with all that gym equipment. There wouldn't be that much interest in buying it would there? What happens so old gym equipment I wonder?
Fantastic tour and fascinating video. Thank you :)
 
Argghhh! Why do people paint walls with a water base paint over an oil base? That flaking would have occurred sooner or later even if they had kept the baths open.
I was wondering what they could do with all that gym equipment. There wouldn't be that much interest in buying it would there? What happens so old gym equipment I wonder?
Fantastic tour and fascinating video. Thank you :)
It looks like some of that equipment has been 'cannibalised', though hard to tell for sure.
 
Thanks for posting, great pics.
Shame about the paintwork, did someone leave the sauna on? :p
 
Bon Accord Baths


View attachment 260173


Bon Accord Baths was constructed to provide a centrally located public baths in Aberdeen, as previously the public bathed at baths overlooking Aberdeen beach. Although the foundation stone was laid in 1936 the building was not completed until August 1940 and cost £37,000. The swimming pool is 120 feet long x 42 feet wide with the water varying in depth from 3 to 15 feet. Flanking the pool is raked seating for 1000 spectators to view the many galas that were held at the pool. The baths closed in March 2008 due to budget cuts.


View attachment 260174


Many galas and events were held at the pool throughout it's 75 years in use.


In February we headed to Aberdeen for a three day trip with DustySensorPhotography with too much on our list for the three days available. I can't remember whether it was due to a storm or something else, but every train we were supposed to use got cancelled and our 4 hour journey quickly turned into 8 hours and a couple of our planned leads being missed out on. Nevertheless, we persevered and ending up having a reasonably successful and fun trip. Bon Accord was probably the place I wanted to manage most - there was something about it. We scouted the architecturally stunning structure multiple times on the second and third day in passing, but it looked well sealed. On the third day before our train and Oli's flight, we decided to give it a final push and try an interesting method of entry I've definitely not done prior. Maybe we were hungover from the night before, but surprisingly it worked and we were in.


The pool is amazing and it's such a shame it isn't in use. The huge windows let in tons of natural light, with their frames holding up the immense arch. I think a few years ago, the pool hall was covered in graffiti and quite a bit of crap was lobbed around by vandals. However, that's about how far the destruction goes, and the rest of the building is in great condition, with any deterioration being natural. Some parts such as the tiled plunge pool look like they could still be in use.


View attachment 260175


View attachment 260176


Past and present: the pool kept all of it's original details, such as the sculptured diving board platforms and the timber seating.


View attachment 260177


Close up of the seats. Some of them have decayed to the ground.


View attachment 260178


View attachment 260179



The underwater lighting in the pool was apparently some of the earliest examples of such.


View attachment 260180



View attachment 260181



View attachment 260182



Male changing rooms.



View attachment 260183



View attachment 260184



The walkway connecting the pool to reception. Possibly at some point it was locked (?) which may explain the lack of vandalism in the other leisure facilities.



View attachment 260185



Reception. The walls are blonde 'rippled sycamore' timber panelling and chrome fittings.



View attachment 260186



Main entrance.



View attachment 260187



The gym beside reception contained a lot of old equipment. More was placed in the corridor on the other side.



View attachment 260188



View attachment 260189



View attachment 260190



Changing rooms with awesome lights.



View attachment 260191



The 3 storey region of the structure had a nice, Art Deco staircase.



View attachment 260192



On the second floor was saunas, steam rooms and the plunge pool.



View attachment 260193



View attachment 260194



View attachment 260195



Plunge pool, used for hydrotherapy, aquatic exercise and relaxation.



That's all for the photographs. Here is the link to our documentary styled video on the site. We cover Bon Accord's past, present and future through cinematics and narration:







Thanks for reading :)

Fantastic baths and surely a listed building.
Where do the people of Aberdeen swim now I wonder?
 

Latest posts

Back
Top