Description: Kyle of Lochalsh, despite a small size and its importance diminished after the building of the Skye Bridge, is still a major local centre and in addition to several shops and services also is the proud location of the little wonder that is the Lochalsh Leisure Centre.
Part of the Highland Council network of leisure facilities, the Lochalsh stands a little apart due to its small size, but also to the fact that it is located in a log-constructed building and thus, instead of smelling of wet, chlorinated concrete like many council facilities do, it has a much nicer ambience.
The centre is located to the side of the village, by the car park (which is a place to park when the central one is full), near a beautiful new adventure playpark with a zip wire, white-sand filled sandpit and many climbing frames.
Inside you will find a swimming pool, a fitness gym and a weights room. The pool is only 16m by 6m, which is just about the smallest you can still actually do some swimming in, but in my experience it is often fairly quiet, especially during the day. The wooden construction means that the space is less echoey than usual, and the outside world is visible through windows and ceiling skylights.
There is no fun features (slides etc) in the pool but it's very well equipped with swimming aids, from normal floats to large island-type ones, hoops to swim through and armbands for those who might need a wee bit of help.
The poolside gives access to a Nordic sauna (a small, two-berth one) and a steam room of similar size. These are really a great bonus, and there is nothing better on a cold, dreich day than a swim in a beautifully heated pool combined with a sauna session. Just what you need to help you cope with the worst aspects of the Scottish weather. One wonderful aspect of the Kyle facility is that they allow children over 8 years old in the sauna and steam room, unlike most places in the UK when even jacuzzis are closed to under 16 year olds!
The fitness suite is fairly basic, but has most that you might need if you prefer a workout out of the rain, with a couple of each of cross-trainers, treadmills, rowing machines and step machines. A vibro plate would be nice, but I wouldn't expect one in a small gym like this.
The weights equipment is probably the weakest aspect of the Lochalsh centre, with the fitness suite holding a few of multi-purpose machines as well as a small selection of dumbbells and kettle bells. There isn't much floor space for mat work though and if more than one person wanted to use the free weights or exercise on the floor, they would struggle.
The weights room has some more serious pumping-iron kit with a couple of benches and bar bells as well as spin bikes.
As it's often the case with council leisure centres, the changing areas are more basic that fitness clubs or hotel wellness suites usually have, and so it is here, with fairly cramped space around the lockers and only three shower heads (that's in the ladies). The changing cubicles are fairly spacious, though, and altogether it's fairly bearable.
All in all, the Lochalsh Leisure Centre is a surprisingly good wee facility and I can think of worse ways to spend a wet cold morning than here.
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