The lake that outlasted the yacht pond

Girvan's boating lake was built with a smaller neighbour: a separate pond where children could sail model yachts. The larger water curved around an island; the model pond lay on its seaward side. Work began in 1937, and the two opened on 25 May 1938.[1][2]

James Wright of Glasgow worked with Girvan Burgh Surveyor A. D. G. Grant on the design and layout. By December 1937, unemployed men were already at work on the scheme beside Louisa Drive. It had opponents. A petition challenged the expenditure and the choice of site, but the Town Council stood unanimously behind the project.[1][2]

Ahead of the opening, the Daily Record described the planned boating lake, yachting pond and sports centre as a scheme that would be the largest in Scotland.[3]

Four days before the opening, the same paper described the island as laid out for the deck sports of an ocean liner. The planned games were shuffleboard, deck quoits, deck tennis, table tennis and draughts, with floor space in the centre for dancing or band performances. A Willow Pattern bridge linked the island to the mainland.[4]

Jean Murray, a former Scottish beauty queen from Girvan, arrived to cheers from the crowd. Mrs J. Johnstone, the Provost's wife, performed the opening ceremony, and Murray presented her with a memento. Schoolchildren had been released from lessons, and Scouts, Guides and members of the Boys' Brigade joined the gathering. Afterwards, the Provost and Mrs Johnstone took a motorboat round the lake.[2]

The first summer brought arguments over charges. By September, the council had rejected a proposal to reduce them for the third time. The Scotsman put use of the lake by the end of August at almost 122,000 people.[5]

There were smaller traces of that busy season too. When employees cleared the lake's base in October, they found two wristwatches, a bangle and about four shillings in copper coins. The objects went to the burgh surveyor, A. D. G. Grant, to await identification by their owners.[6]

The following summer brought roller skating to the island. In May 1939, the council considered an application for a Gliderdrome at the boating lake. It rejected the proposed seven-day operation because it included Sundays and asked for a six-day offer instead.[7] By August, the outdoor rink was in use, enclosed by railings.[8]

Two kinds of boating

The distinction between the waters was still clear in 1957. In a holiday feature, Cliff Hanley described children taking little motorboats around the lake's island, with a model yacht pond just across the path. A holiday advertisement in March 1968 still listed both the boating lake and the yachting pond.[9][10]

Model boating also appears in the lake's later history. In 1985, the newly formed Girvan Model Ship Society planned sailing sessions at the boating lake, along with competitions and visits to places of maritime interest.[11]

By June 1988, Kyle and Carrick District Council was running the lake after previously leasing it to a private concern. Four two-seat pedal boats and eight single-seat hydro-peds had taken over from the old motorboats.[12]

A charity obstacle race in 1992 used both the boating lake and its island. Girvan Fire Brigade won, with the Swee Bar team finishing second.[13]

What survives

The smaller pond was eventually filled in, and the children's playground occupies its former site.[14]

The boating lake remains. On 1 August 2012, Girvan Youth Trust took sole responsibility for running it and the adjoining putting green, after initially working alongside council staff. Young people gained seasonal employment, and the Trust introduced a combined boating and putting ticket. Family fun days included puppet shows, storytelling, magic shows and a pirates’ day to finish the season.[15]

Keeping water in the lake has required further work. By December 2025, a council project report recorded the completion of a new reinforced-concrete base designed to reduce leakage.[16]

References

1. The Scotsman, “Opposition to Girvan Boating Lake Scheme”, 9 December 1937, p.11.
2. The Scotsman, “Girvan Boating Lake Opened”, 26 May 1938, p.9. South Ayrshire Council, Girvan Conservation Area Appraisal, consultation draft, March 2024, p.16, “Open Space”.
3. Daily Record, 18 April 1938, p.3, “Sir Harry Lauder Will Open Lake”.
4. Daily Record, 21 May 1938, p.13, “Games Wonderland: Willow Pattern Plate Comes to Life”.
5. The Scotsman, 3 September 1938, p.10, “Girvan Boating Lake Charges”.
6. Sunday Mail, 9 October 1938, p.26, “Lost Overboard”.
7. Daily Record, 3 May 1939, p.11, “Sunday Ban”.
8. Dundee Evening Telegraph, 15 August 1939, p.4, “Roller Skater Injured”.
9. Daily Record, 10 April 1957, p.15, Girvan holiday feature by Cliff Hanley.
10. Daily Record, 5 March 1968, p.16, Holiday Advertising.
11. Ayrshire Post, 29 March 1985, p.73, Girvan column.
12. Ayrshire Post, 17 June 1988, p.92, “Pedal Power”.
13. Ayrshire Post, 23 October 1992, p.26, “Wacky races at the Boating Lake” and accompanying charity-event report.
14. GoGirvan, The Boating Pond.
15. Girvan & South Carrick Update, November 2012, p.3, “Trust takes to the pond like ducks to water”.
16. Ayrshire Shared Service Joint Committee, Roadworks Programme 2025/26, 5 December 2025, Appendix 4, p.105, “Girvan Boating Pond Refurbishment”.