Govanhill Baths

It is a very rare occasion that I have the opportunity to take in Doors Open Day in Glasgow, as we are usually part of the weekend. Today was different as we had a wedding at the Mackintosh Church.

Our tour started with a visit to Govanhill Baths on the south side of the city. On the 3rd of July 1914 the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sir Daniel Macaulay Stevenson, opened the Govanhill pool in Calder Street, Glasgow. They contained hot baths in the upper storey and three swimming pools on the ground floor. There was a seating gallery around one of the pools for spectators attending events such as galas.

Govanhill pool was built just before the start of the First World War in 1914 and represents a beautiful example of early twentieth century civic architecture.

It still retains many original features, including periods tiling. It was intended as a local amenity, with a Steamie for washing and three pools for swimming. Before WWII most of the local tenements lacked proper washing facilities.

Glasgow City Council closed Govanhill Baths in March 2001 saying it was no longer viable with other pools nearby. Protesters occupied the historic building but were removed that August.

In 2012 Peter Mullan was presented with a gold key to unlock the building. He was joined by Deputy First Minister and Glasgow Southside MSP Nicola Sturgeon. The opening was first phase of a four-year plan to fully reopen the 98-year-old building as a Wellbeing Centre.

The campaign to save the building has been led by the Govanhill Baths Community Trust. We had a fabulous tour of the building by Ms. Fatima Uygun, who is one of the Directors.

We then made our way to Scotland's biggest Sikh temple, the Glasgow Gurdwara. The purpose-built Gurdwara in Glasgow's southside is based on the design of a traditional Punjab temple. It is the spiritual home for Scotland's 10,000-strong Sikh population and features an amazing community kitchen offering free meals to around 3,000 people per week. It was an amazing experience.

Our day finished with a tour of the fabulous Arlington Baths Club. The building was originally designed by John Burnet, the father of Sir John James Burnet in 1871. This was for the part of the building containing the swimming pool, the Senior and Junior baths and the Senior and Junior changing rooms which now forms the northern part of the building.

As originally designed by Burnet the building was single storey and conceived as a kind of theme and variation on the idea of subdivision by twos and threes. Thus the main facade onto Arlington Street was modulated by means of two pavilions, located at either end of the building with the centre marked by arched windows arranged in groups of threes. The effect is that of a restrained and modest Classicism, more rural than urban in its nature, well proportioned and pleasing in an unpretentious way.

Owned and run by members for members, this community club is the oldest of its kind in the world. Run on a not-for-profit basis, the 'A' listed historic Victorian bathing complex houses a 21 metre skylit swimming pool, a unique Turkish suite, saunas, steam room, free standing slipper baths and hot tubs, a stylish members lounge and a bright, state of the art gymnasium. It is truly an amazing experience. I may go back tomorrow to take some more shots.