The most remote swimming pool in Aberdeenshire has had to close its doors – forcing users to travel 13 miles to the nearest alternative.
The centre at Aboyne has been shut down due to faulty equipment.
The 25m pool is on the Aboyne Academy site, off the town’s Bridgeview Road, and is used by local school pupils and the wider community.
Aberdeenshire Council said a faulty air-handling unit had forced the centre to shut on Tuesday “until further notice”.
Users have been asked to use neighbouring public swimming baths for the time being, the nearest of which is the 20m Banchory facility, with another at Alford a 15-mile drive away.
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesperson: “The air handling unit at Aboyne Swimming Pool needs to be repaired which means the pool will be closed until further notice.
“Officers are consulting with existing users to provide alternative arrangements for the remainder of the closure and updates will be available through the council’s social media feeds and website.”
Aboyne councillor Peter Argyle said trouble in sourcing the parts needed to fix the air handling unit meant it would not be re-opened until after Easter.
He said: “Obviously it is disappointing when a piece of essential equipment breaks down but I know that the staff are doing everything they can to get the repairs made.
“There is a delay getting the relevant parts but certainly the staff they have been doing everything they can. The council generally has been doing everything it can to get it back up but it looks like it will be after Easter.
“It is obviously regrettable for everybody who uses it, but these things happen, equipment will break down.
“It is the first time I can think of that the pool has been closed for such a lengthy period. I know people think very highly of it and the staff are very, very good.”