Hamish Foundation to Restore Castle Sands Tidal Pool

The Hamish Foundation, in coordination with the Bob and Blether women’s swimming group, has launched the ‘Castle Sands Forever’ campaign to restore the tidal pool at Castle Sands beach. 

Initial efforts for tidal pool restoration were spearheaded by community leader Linda Anne Beaulier, who passed away just days before the launch of restoration fundraising. Now, Debbie MacCallum — Beaulier’s best friend, co-founder of the Hamish Foundation and chairperson of BID St Andrews — is continuing her legacy. 

“Linda Anne was a driving force behind the Castle Sands Tidal pool project, but her loss has been met by an overwhelming desire to carry on the project in her memory,” MacCallum told The Saint. “The aim is to restore, enhance, and preserve the tidal pool for generations to come and has already been supported by businesses, visitors, and the local community.”

The restoration project, according to MacCallum, involves four stages: clearing “sand and overgrown vegetation from the steps leading to the tidal pool,” installing a safety handrail, repairing and restoring the pool, and “construction of a hard landscape area, which can be used for changing.” The restoration component involves “refurbishment of the sluice valve, constructing coping stones to the damaged area at the end of the pool, plugging vulnerable voids on the sea side wall face to prevent water loss, and finally removing excess sand, stones, and rubbish from the pool,” MacCallum said.

The first stage of the restoration was completed by the Clean and Green sector of BID St Andrews, and completion of the restoration project can be expected between late 2026 to early 2027. Castle Sands Forever is also collaborating with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, Fife Council, Marine Scotland, and Historic Environment Scotland to ensure compliance with community standards across all stages of the process. 

The Bob and Blether swimming group, who regularly use the tidal pool, has played a major role in the fundraising and marketing aspects of the campaign in efforts to raise £65,000 to cover construction fees. Beyond a donation page, Bob and Blether members have created calendars with proceeds being redirected to support the campaign’s fundraising goal.

“Members have created the logo, and the excellent Castle Sands Forever 2026 calendar, featuring old and new photographs of the tidal pool, which was built in the 1900s,” said MacCallum. “They have also formed a sales and marketing team to publicise, distribute, and sell these.”

The tidal pool has major historical significance. Built in 1900 by Thomas S Dick of Broughty Ferry, it originally served as a ladies’ bathing pond. Over time, the pool became weathered by storms, calling for repair and maintenance. 

“By the 1930s, the papers were already calling for repairs,” Amy Pickles of Bob and Blether told The Courier. “It had some work in the 1970s but never a full restoration.”

In addition to Bob and Blether, the University’s 400-person Wild Saints swimming society, as well as individual swimmers, use the pool. Such attraction to the pool has drawn support throughout the community for the Hamish Foundation’s initiative.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the community, including University of St Andrews staff and students, businesses, organisations, and individuals,” said MacCallum. She added: “A restored pool would attract more visitors to this historic site, which in turn will help local business[es] and put St Andrews on the map as a destination for health and wellbeing.” 

The Saint sought comment from Bob and Blether, but received no response before this article’s publication.

Photo by Ada Newton