Leith Victoria: first look and all you need to know before pool re-opens

One of the city's five Victorian swimming pools is in the final stages of being refurbished and here is all you need to know.

One of the city's five Victorian swimming pools is in the final stages of being refurbished and here is all you need to know.

The pool in Leith Victoria, Junction Place, affectionately known as "Leith Viccies", is more than 120-years-old and has been renovated during the last six months.

It will be open to the public on Monday from 6am.

The pool in Leith Victoria, Junction Place,affectionately known as Leith Viccies,is more than 120 years-old and has been having works done on it for the last six months picture: Edinburgh Leisure

Photos show the pool having final touches done before the taps turn on in a matter of days.

Before the works, the centre was home to the district’s last hot public bath located just off reception which has now been removed as part of the upgrade.

It could be used by members of the public for a small fee of £1.70.

While many people will be familiar with the pool facilities, Edinburgh Leisure is giving locals and potential new members the opportunity to "try before they buy", with a "seven days for £7" promotion, which will run from Monday, March 2 until Sunday, March 8.

The pass is available online from Monday and will be valid for 7 days starting from the day of registration.

From early March 'easy access pads' will also be available outside the gym and studio doors.

This means members will no longer have to queue at reception, but can simply tap their membership card on the reader to enter.

On the Edinburgh Leisure website it says some cards may not be suited to the readers in which case members will need to ask staff at any of the city's centres to swap for a new one.

The centre's cafe will also been open from March and swimming lessons will begin on the 9th.

The Victorian building including the pool, a studio and toilets, has been closed since renovation works began in August last year.

Members and visitors however have been able to access the centre's gym which has remained open throughout the refurbishment.

When the building first opened in 1899, it was home to individual baths, a recreational swimming pool and public laundry facilities, known as a ‘steamie’.

Architect George Simpson was commissioned to design the red sandstone Renaissance style building.

The public baths were commonly used until the late 1970s, due to the high number of Leith homes lacking bathrooms up to that time.