Plans for the world’s first inland surfing resort, headed up by a North Berwick entrepreneur, are gathering steam as it gets set to open next September.
Lost Shore Surf Resort is being led by Andrew Hadden, founder of Tartan Leisure Ltd, based at The Lighthouse business centre in the town.
The “family-friendly” £55m landmark development in Ratho, near Edinburgh, is set to become “Scotland’s newest premier tourism and leisure destination” with a 250m artificial beachfront.
New images have revealed that the project will also contain luxury lodges, premium accommodation pods, restaurants, spa and shops within the 60-acre site.
Hadden, who moved to North Berwick in 2013, was delighted at being able to share new images and the progress being made.
He said: “It is so incredibly exciting for us to share these new images. Bringing the world’s first inland surfing resort to Scotland is such a huge addition to the world-class tourism that we already have.”
With a ‘beachfront’ stretching for 250 metres, the surfing lagoon will be the biggest in Europe.
Cutting-edge wave technology, developed by Wavegarden, will be capable of producing up to 1000 customisable waves per hour, from 52 software driven modules.
Surfers will be able to enjoy wave rides of up to 22 seconds, with more than 20 different varieties of waves.
Beginners will have access to expert tuition from surfing instructors, and wetsuits and surfboard hire will be included in the cost.
As well as using surfboards from leading brands, the state-of-the-art wetsuits will ensure that surfers will stay warm in all weathers, with heated indoor changing rooms to use before and after.
Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, said: “This spectacular resort is going to be a real game-changer for Scottish tourism.”
