22-07-2025
20 great photos of former Edinburgh attraction that made a splash in the 90s Leith Waterworld
Leith Waterworld was a leisure pool built on the site of the former Leith Central railway station, which opened in 1992. It was the only pool in Edinburgh with a wave machine, and there was also a fast river run and flumes.
It was closed in January 2012 in order to save funds for the Royal Commonwealth Pool's renovation and re-opening. A campaigning group against the closure, called Splashback, were funded to carry out feasibility studies, but the property has been converted into a children's soft-play centre.
It first closed in November 1999 after problems were found including tiles coming away from walls, electrical problems and rusting structures. It reopened in 2002 and a new multisensory play area was introduced in 2003.
Edinburgh's only other flumes opened at the Royal Commonwealth Pool in the late 80s, but unfortunately the much-loved 'Commie' flumes, including the ultra-fast Stingray and the more relaxing River Rapids, were removed in the early 2000s.
1 . Making a splash
Kids enjoying the watershoots at Leith Waterworld in March, 1998. | TSPL Photo: National World Photo Sales
2 . Opening
Children celebrate the opening of the new swimming pool at Leith Waterworld in May 1992. | TSPL Photo: National World Photo Sales
3 . In the pool
Teenagers in the pool at Waterworld in Leith, March 1993. | TSPL Photo: National World Photo Sales
4 . Bubble pool
Lynn and Shauni (5) Noble enjoying the bubble pool at Leith Waterworld in March, 1998. | TSPL Photo: National World Photo Sales
Related topics: EdinburghRenovationProperty
