Surf’s up after park is given the go-ahead

Scotland’s first artificial surf park has been given the go-ahead in a former quarry near Edinburgh.

Wavegarden Scotland hads had its planning application to redevelop Craigpark Quarry near Ratho, Edinburgh, approved, to create a world-class surfing and family leisure facility.

This major leisure attraction is a first for Scotland and Wavegarden Scotland will now transform the disused quarry into a man-made lake with revolutionary new wave technology, developed by Wavegarden in Spain – the same company that developed the technology behind Surf Snowdonia, who welcomed over 155,000 visitors last year.

The proposal, which had already received overwhelmingly positive feedback from public consultation events held last year, has been masterplanned and designed by landscape architects HarrisonStevens, with engineering and technical consultation provided by WSP, and planning and development advice by Colliers International.

Alongside a world-class surfing facility, Wavegarden Scotland also includes a surf school, self-catering luxury guest lodges, glamping pods, a waterfront café and restaurant, retail spaces, zip line, water tubing area, integrated natural play, bike skills track, and a snow-sports training jump.

Andy Hadden, the co-founder of Tartan Leisure Ltd which is developing Wavegarden Scotland, said: ‘We are thrilled that the plans for Wavegarden Scotland have been approved. We believe that this facility will deliver many benefits for the local community and for Scotland by offering world-class adventure leisure amenities alongside a wonderful country park, for walkers, runners and cyclists to enjoy.

Andy Hadden, the co-founder of Tartan Leisure Ltd, at the site 

‘Alongside this, we expect to create up to 130 jobs and generate up to £11m for the local economy every year.

‘Another very exciting aspect of Wavegarden Scotland is the opportunity to nurture surfing and sporting talent. With Scotland’s own surfing team starting to make a mark on the global surf scene, we hope to inspire the next generation of surfers, life guards, and active outdoor enthusiasts.’

Using recently released, state-of-the-art wave generation technology called The Cove, Wavegarden Scotland will be among the most advanced surfing and water sport facilities in the world, with the capability to enable elite-level sports training and development.

Mark Boyd, captain of Scotland’s national surfing team, said: ‘We welcome Wavegarden Scotland’s visionary project and look forward to practising our sport in safe and consistent waves. Having this facility will give the Scottish surfing team a huge edge when it comes to future competitions, to have this as a base will do wonders for the sport.

Planning permission has been given for the surfing facility

‘Scotland’s surf scene is growing and we have some exciting home grown talent breaking onto the scene. With surfing making its debut as an Olympic Sport at Tokyo 2020, Wavegarden Scotland will play a key role in encouraging and developing future Scottish surfers and putting this fantastic sport in the spotlight.’

Josema Odriozola, founder and CEO of Wavegarden, the company which created the wave generation technology that will power Wavegarden Scotland, said: ‘It’s great to see that the planning application has been approved, so now Edinburgh will have its own surf spot for everyone to enjoy.

‘We designed our technology to create up to 1000 waves per hour, from slow moving white water for beginners through to powerful barrels up to two metres high for experts. This now means Scottish locals and tourists alike can experience the exhilarating feeling of surfing, regardless of their level.’

Located beside the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Wavegarden Scotland will develop existing integrated transportation and leisure links, including with the nearby canal network, into the heart of Edinburgh as well as the wider central belt.