YOUR FIRST VISIT
Ardoe House Hotel & Spa
Your guide to arriving, getting ready and enjoying your first lesson.
BEFORE YOUR FIRST SPLASH
Two helpful videos.
One confident first visit.
Watch both guides for Ardoe House Hotel & Spa: finding the pool and getting ready for your first lesson.
Read the arrival guide ↓01 · GETTING HERE
Arriving at your pool.
- Follow signs for the Spa when you arrive at Ardoe House Hotel & Spa.
- Parking is available at the hotel. Head to poolside no more than 5 minutes before your lesson.
02 · GETTING READY
Changing & getting poolside.
- Male and female changing rooms and showers are available.
- Parents must wear the overshoes provided in the changing rooms. Ask the Ardoe Leisure team if none are available.
03 · CHEER THEM ON
Where to watch.
- One parent may spectate per child.
- Use the Scottish Academy of Swimming chairs grouped at the top and bottom ends of the pool. These are our designated spectator areas.
- The loungers are reserved for hotel leisure members and spa guests.
04 · SAFETY, QUALITY, FUN
A few poolside essentials.
- Arrive on poolside no more than 5 minutes before the lesson starts.
- Children must not enter the water or sit on the pool edge before their lesson. Wait for the teacher to welcome them.
- Photography and video recording of lessons are not permitted unless agreed in advance with your child’s swimming instructor.
- Please do not eat on poolside or in the changing rooms.
- Your lesson booking does not include a swim before the lesson. Children should wait away from the pool edge; speak to leisure reception about any separately arranged swimming.
A LITTLE REASSURANCE
First-lesson questions.
Can we catch up if we miss a lesson?
Yes. Catch-up lessons are available across all our venues, subject to space. Mark your swimmer absent in the parent portal to receive a catch-up credit, up to five per swimmer per year. Absences can be logged up to seven days ahead. Redeem credits from seven days before to seven days after the absence, with at least 24 hours’ notice to book. Read the full catch-up rules or open your parent portal.
How long does a lesson last?
Swimming lessons last 30 minutes. Your booking confirmation and parent portal show your individual lesson time.
How many swimmers are in a class?
Standard group lessons have a maximum of 6 swimmers per class, including advanced groups. Each standard group has a teacher and an assistant. For private lessons, check your booking confirmation for the format you have chosen.
Do I need to bring floats or armbands?
No. We provide the swimming equipment needed for lessons, including floats and armbands.
What if my child or I have never been in the water?
Tell us about any nerves or support needs before the first lesson. Our teachers adapt their approach to each swimmer and help them build confidence at their own pace.
Are teachers in the water?
Our teachers provide in-water teaching and support, adapting their approach to the swimmer and lesson.
Can I go in the pool with my child?
Parents normally watch from the spectator area during lessons. If your child needs you in the water, discuss this with our team in advance so we can agree a suitable arrangement.
How long will learning to swim take?
Every swimmer progresses at their own pace. Age, confidence, experience and individual learning needs all make a difference.
How can I follow my swimmer’s progress?
Sign in to the parent portal to follow your swimmer’s progress.
YOUR VENUE
Your pool at a glance.
A 17 × 8 metre pool at Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, with poolside spectating, parking and a coffee shop. Group and private lessons are available here.
- Pool size
- 17 × 8 m
- Pool depth
- 1.2 m
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Pool facilities
- Changing
- Male & female changing
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
- Pool hoist
- No pool hoist
- Showers
- Shower facilities
- Spectating
- Parent poolside spectating
- Parking
- Parking available
- Refreshments
- Coffee shop
- Water temperature
- 29–32°C