After ten years in the planning the Lost Shore Surf Resort will open to the public on 11 November.
The dream which founder, Andy Hadden had was to create a surfing destination with great food and also luxury accommodation for people to stay. From Monday there are 100 guests arriving to stay in the glamping pods by the waterside or the lodges with fabulous views down over the wave pool.
The former quarry has been transformed with a £60 million investment in the wave technology provided by WaveGarden, as well as the buildings which will house restaurants and cafés and an event space.
This is now the country’s first inland surf resort with the most advanced wave pool and it will create 130 jobs. The management expect to welcome around 160,000 visitors each year contributing £11 million to the local economy.
Nestled in the countryside next to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena this will be the new place for thrill seekers. There are more than. 20 wave types available at the flick of a switch. And for those who prefer to keep their feet on dry land there will be surf skating – a variation of skateboarding which is like ocean surfing on dry land.
Another aspect of the enterprise is that it will be a wellbeing resort. The Wave Project will offer adaptive surfing for people of all abilities. The surf therapy sessions are intended to have a positive impact in the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
Hadden who has a background in property said: “I am delighted today. This has been a long journey for me and also other businesses. There are a lot of people who have been my support network so to see them so happy with the end result is hugely satisfying. This could be the training ground for Scotland’s next Olympic surfing champion.”
Ben Larg is a professional surfer from Tiree. At just 19-years-old he has been sponsored by Red Bull, and has already tried out the best of the 1,000 waves an hour at Lost Shore. He is more usually found in Portugal seeking the big 60 feet waves off the coast, but says this is a good second best. He said: “I grew up on Tiree which is one of the best places to learn to surf, but this is now the best place to learn. I am sure I will be here all the time. I think it will be a great training facility for Scottish surfers and for people who want to get into surfing.”
The resort is one of the largest sports projects in the last decade in Scotland and is very much welcomed by Stephen Leckie, Chair of VisitScotland.
He said: “Lost Shore is an exciting development which could be truly transformational for the region and Scotland. Our stunning coastline has been bringing surfers to Scotland for many years and this new resort will only enhance its reputation as a world-class surfing and visitor destination.
“We know outdoor activities are a huge draw for visitors while water wellness, where visitors can recharge with water-based activities, continues to be an ongoing trend. Lost Shore will be able to capitalise on those trends with surfing aficionados, those tempted to try out the sport, and those who want to take in this unique visitor experience.”
In addition to its world-class surfing facilities, Lost Shore Surf Resort features Canteen, a rotating selection of top Scottish eateries in its waterfront bar, café, and restaurant. Visitors can enjoy diverse, seasonally driven dishes from beloved culinary favourites such as Glasgow’s Five March, Rafa’s Diner, and Edinburgh pizzeria Civerinos.
For those looking to stay, the resort offers accommodation with views of the surf pool. Hilltop Lodges, with three or four bedrooms accommodating 6-8 guests, outdoor showers, and wetsuit storage, cater for families and groups and offer views overlooking the resort. The Waterfront Lodges provide a scenic stay just steps from the surf, accommodating up to four people.
For accessible accommodation, the bespoke Kurvs feature sliding doors, wide corridors, and wheelchair-friendly amenities, ensuring a comfortable stay for up to four guests.
Waterfront Pods, designed for singles or couples, offer floating super-king beds, underfloor heating, and ensuite bathrooms.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
