Swimmming Baths (former), The Vennel, Forfar

Roughly 2-storey, irregular plan, Jacobean Renaissance public baths on steeply sloping site; 3-bay gable to NE (street) elevation with semicircular pediment with apex broken by pinnacle. Squared and snecked rubble masonry with red sandstone ashlar dressings; some brick elevations. Stone mullions. Predominantly shouldered gables.

Good example of public baths by an eminent architect. The building retains some interesting original fixtures and fittings including the glazed ceramic spittoons to the pool. The Jacobean Renaissance stonework detailing, particularly its gable, make a significant contribution to the streetscape. The baths were gifted to the town by the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (1835 - 1919), who attended the official opening of the facility on October 4, 1910. As well as a public swimming pool, the rear section of the building originally contained bath tubs for public cleanliness, as at this time many modest homes still did not have a bathroom.

Swimming clubs and bath houses were established in Scotland from the 1850s following the enactment of the 1846 Act to Encourage the Establishment of Public Baths and Wash-houses, which was established to improve general public health with access for all classes of citizen. With the rapid expansion of urban population, often living and working in unsanitary conditions, bath and wash houses were seen as essential public services. The Act, which affected the entirety of Britain, encouraged local authorities to open up these facilities in areas of dense population. These bath and wash houses soon started to cater for recreational swimming rather than washing and became a hugely popular social past time during the 20th century.

Hippolyte Jean Blanc (1844-1917) was an eminent and prolific Edinburgh based architect who was perhaps best known for his Gothic revival churches. He was also a keen antiquarian and many of his buildings evoke an earlier Scottish style. The building was extended by the Burgh Surveyor, A Waterston. (Historic Environment Scotland List Entry)

10 June 2021: The Courier reports (10/06/2021) the property is shortly to be returned to the open market. The article notes the pools were declared surplus to council requirements following the opening of the new-build community campus in the town, in 2017. The site is report to have suffered from vandalism and break-ins.

4 March 2022: Currently being marketed for sale through Shepherd Commercial. Price on application.

27 March 2023: Property listed as Under Offer as of March 2023. Remain For Investigation at present.

27 April 2023: External inspection finds that the building appears generally secure. There are some roof sections with damaged slates and ridge tiles. Salt deposits are visible on the brickwork on the northwest elevation. The windows and doors are covered and secured. There is marketing signage on the street-facing elevations stating auction ending in September 2022. Move to At Risk.

Post survey update:the building is no longer under marketing for sale.