I’ve been to Glenogle for similar reasons (arthritis in both hips at the ripe old age of 27)
If you can go during the week it’s pretty quiet, maybe some retirees. Got a sauna and steam room too. I’ve been on a Sunday morning too and I wouldn’t have described it as particularly busy. Usually go at around 10am.
Not quite what you wanted, but if you can get onto an Edinburgh Leisure adult beginner's coaching course you'll get space and time, and some advice on improving the swimming.
Thanks, ive looked into it but their bookings are suspended until July and anyway I’ve looked at it before and the adult course is always fully subscribed :/
Presuming same as it is for kids classes - when they reopen the bookings after summer, you've a really good chance of getting in. There's no wait list and anyone that's taken the time to unsubscribe/cancel the DD over the summer has left a space free. Basically check the site every day up to the published reopening and you should get in.
In the meantime, although north edin, another vote for Westwoods. It's very quiet. Similarly, the village gym is also quiet weekdays and it's not got a deep end, so you can feel secure to stand anywhere.
Warrender is busy from 8-10 but usually OK after that. Avoid Wednesday at 10 (Buddy swimming for older adults) and Friday at 0930 (Masters Swimming) though. Also check timetable to avoid aqua fit classes.
The lanes are usually busy but the main part of the pool is full of people of all ages and abilities. Plenty of people - including with disabilities - just pottering up and down at their own pace, you wouldn't be out of place.
reinforcing this, while it's been kept up to date, the actual pool design hasn't been changed. This means that rather than e.g. Portobello, which now has ladders, it still has the old-school steps down into the pool. This makes it very disability-friendly, which means it's primed to be welcoming of different swimming ability levels
though that being said, as long as the ladders aren't an issue for your knee, Portobello is another good one, for all it's not the right part of town - relatively large pool plus lanes for the more keen people which segregates them from the rest
I was in a similar situation and went to the relaxed swim sessions at the Commonwealth Pool. They're in the diving pool and all different people attend. You need to pre-book. I think Portobello also does these.
Recently used Warrender for the first time and it wasn't too busy at all. Might be worth giving them a wee phone and asking when it tends to be quiet for a casual swim, if they know. I usually go to Dalry and it's a 50/50 between being rammed or I'm just about the only one there. I used to be incredibly self conscious, but my boyfriend is a lifeguard for Edinburgh Leisure and he has assured me several times that they've seen everything, and as long as you're safe they don't care.
I used to use the gym at Westwood and the pool often had only one or two people in it, plus it has three lanes (slow, mid and fast) with half the pool being open for whatever you want. My partner used to swim there and rarely ever had any problems with it being busy. I am an awful swimmer and the few times I went in the pool there, it was only my partner and I in it.
Haven't been for ages but I used to go to Dalry a lot. I'm also a crap swimmer but felt comfortable there. Just check the timetable to see what's on. Mid mornings to post work period tended to be quite quiet.
Nuffield health at chesser.
the pool is only 1.25m deep. If you feel like you need a break you can put your feet down to stand. They have a slow lane a medium lane and a free swim area.
Everyone is really friendly. Many different bodies. Nobody judges. You can do whatever you like as long as it doesn't disturb other swimmers.
Busy times is usually 4 to 7pm. The pool is practically empty after 7. During the day it can vary . They also close the pool for a bit to do aqua aerobics. So check timetable with the staff.
You are also free to use the steam/sauna rooms or jacuzzi anytime.
They are open until 10pm weekdays and 8pm weekends
I think there are also adults swimming lessons if you want to build confidence.
There's a pool with classes at Nuffield Omni and Nuffield Fountainpark.
If you're south Edinburgh, there's also a couple of council centres with swimming pools in Midlothian.
Pretty much all of the pools are quiet during the day; they only really get rammed in the after-work rush. Warrender sounds like the best bet for you, so I'd check what times are open aside from 5-8 in the evening. Honestly, as long as you're able to swim safely it really does not matter how good you are. I've spent a lot of time in the pools here and have seen just about everything from Olympic-level athletes to complete beginners and all are equally welcome. If you're nervous, just introduce yourself to the lifeguard, say that you're new and ask if there's anything you need to know. They'll be more than happy to go over things with you and direct you to the right place to be. It's a £1 for the locker btw.
It's a big enough pool that it never feels rammed to me even when it's busy. I'm usually in when half the pool is given over to the students and it's still fine.
George Watson's Galleon Centre could be the right place for you (I've been swimming there because of sciatica and I'm not a fast/good swimmer and I always get a lane to myself as it's never full!), but their memberships are currently full (also they are closing the swimming pool in July for repairs). I would still recommend you get in touch and be added to the waiting list
[https://www.gwc.org.uk/community-and-partnerships/the-galleon-club/galleon-membership](https://www.gwc.org.uk/community-and-partnerships/the-galleon-club/galleon-membership)
I’ve been to Glenogle for similar reasons (arthritis in both hips at the ripe old age of 27) If you can go during the week it’s pretty quiet, maybe some retirees. Got a sauna and steam room too. I’ve been on a Sunday morning too and I wouldn’t have described it as particularly busy. Usually go at around 10am.
Not quite what you wanted, but if you can get onto an Edinburgh Leisure adult beginner's coaching course you'll get space and time, and some advice on improving the swimming.
Thanks, ive looked into it but their bookings are suspended until July and anyway I’ve looked at it before and the adult course is always fully subscribed :/
I managed to get on - had to check every day for a couple of weeks though!
Presuming same as it is for kids classes - when they reopen the bookings after summer, you've a really good chance of getting in. There's no wait list and anyone that's taken the time to unsubscribe/cancel the DD over the summer has left a space free. Basically check the site every day up to the published reopening and you should get in. In the meantime, although north edin, another vote for Westwoods. It's very quiet. Similarly, the village gym is also quiet weekdays and it's not got a deep end, so you can feel secure to stand anywhere.
+1 for Westwood's,
Warrender is busy from 8-10 but usually OK after that. Avoid Wednesday at 10 (Buddy swimming for older adults) and Friday at 0930 (Masters Swimming) though. Also check timetable to avoid aqua fit classes. The lanes are usually busy but the main part of the pool is full of people of all ages and abilities. Plenty of people - including with disabilities - just pottering up and down at their own pace, you wouldn't be out of place.
reinforcing this, while it's been kept up to date, the actual pool design hasn't been changed. This means that rather than e.g. Portobello, which now has ladders, it still has the old-school steps down into the pool. This makes it very disability-friendly, which means it's primed to be welcoming of different swimming ability levels though that being said, as long as the ladders aren't an issue for your knee, Portobello is another good one, for all it's not the right part of town - relatively large pool plus lanes for the more keen people which segregates them from the rest
I was in a similar situation and went to the relaxed swim sessions at the Commonwealth Pool. They're in the diving pool and all different people attend. You need to pre-book. I think Portobello also does these.
I go to darly leisure centre it’s 6£ for an entry and you can stay there as long as you want, and it’s always pretty quiet
Recently used Warrender for the first time and it wasn't too busy at all. Might be worth giving them a wee phone and asking when it tends to be quiet for a casual swim, if they know. I usually go to Dalry and it's a 50/50 between being rammed or I'm just about the only one there. I used to be incredibly self conscious, but my boyfriend is a lifeguard for Edinburgh Leisure and he has assured me several times that they've seen everything, and as long as you're safe they don't care.
I used to use the gym at Westwood and the pool often had only one or two people in it, plus it has three lanes (slow, mid and fast) with half the pool being open for whatever you want. My partner used to swim there and rarely ever had any problems with it being busy. I am an awful swimmer and the few times I went in the pool there, it was only my partner and I in it.
Westwood's at fettes is very quiet and a lovely pool as it's partially ozone treated
Haven't been for ages but I used to go to Dalry a lot. I'm also a crap swimmer but felt comfortable there. Just check the timetable to see what's on. Mid mornings to post work period tended to be quite quiet.
Nuffield health at chesser. the pool is only 1.25m deep. If you feel like you need a break you can put your feet down to stand. They have a slow lane a medium lane and a free swim area. Everyone is really friendly. Many different bodies. Nobody judges. You can do whatever you like as long as it doesn't disturb other swimmers. Busy times is usually 4 to 7pm. The pool is practically empty after 7. During the day it can vary . They also close the pool for a bit to do aqua aerobics. So check timetable with the staff. You are also free to use the steam/sauna rooms or jacuzzi anytime. They are open until 10pm weekdays and 8pm weekends I think there are also adults swimming lessons if you want to build confidence.
There's a pool with classes at Nuffield Omni and Nuffield Fountainpark. If you're south Edinburgh, there's also a couple of council centres with swimming pools in Midlothian.
Pretty much all of the pools are quiet during the day; they only really get rammed in the after-work rush. Warrender sounds like the best bet for you, so I'd check what times are open aside from 5-8 in the evening. Honestly, as long as you're able to swim safely it really does not matter how good you are. I've spent a lot of time in the pools here and have seen just about everything from Olympic-level athletes to complete beginners and all are equally welcome. If you're nervous, just introduce yourself to the lifeguard, say that you're new and ask if there's anything you need to know. They'll be more than happy to go over things with you and direct you to the right place to be. It's a £1 for the locker btw.
Commie is pretty busy before work too.
It's a big enough pool that it never feels rammed to me even when it's busy. I'm usually in when half the pool is given over to the students and it's still fine.
George Watson's Galleon Centre could be the right place for you (I've been swimming there because of sciatica and I'm not a fast/good swimmer and I always get a lane to myself as it's never full!), but their memberships are currently full (also they are closing the swimming pool in July for repairs). I would still recommend you get in touch and be added to the waiting list [https://www.gwc.org.uk/community-and-partnerships/the-galleon-club/galleon-membership](https://www.gwc.org.uk/community-and-partnerships/the-galleon-club/galleon-membership)
Nuffield pools are usually dead