Our History
Founded in 1885 in the south side of Edinburgh, Heart of Midlothian Amateur Swimming Club is one of the oldest and most respected swimming clubs in the East of Scotland. Over the decades, Hearts has nurtured generations of swimmers — from complete beginners to Olympians — while remaining true to its founding principles of teamwork, community, and opportunity for all.
From Early Beginnings…..
Although few records survive from our earliest years, research shows that the club began life at Infirmary Street Baths before moving north to Glenogle Baths in 1925. Glenogle remained our home for over 70 years, a place where thousands of swimmers learned, trained, and competed.
In the early years, Hearts operated with separate ladies’ and gents’ sections, each training one hour per week. The club temporarily closed during both World Wars, but before the Second World War, activities included Graceful Swimming (the forerunner to synchronised swimming), Graceful Diving, and Water Polo.
When the club reopened in 1947, rebuilding membership took time, but by 1950 Hearts swimmers were making headlines — holding all four East District breaststroke titles across senior and junior, male and female categories. Life-saving was also taught for many years, and Hearts members achieved great success in district and Scottish competitions.
A Legacy of Success
The 1960s marked the club’s first post-war swimmer selected to represent Scotland, and with the introduction of Age Group Championships, younger members began to achieve district and national recognition. By the 1970s, Hearts had developed a strong reputation as both a friendly, family club and a competitive force.
In 1977, Hearts became one of the first clubs in Scotland to appoint a Professional Head Coach, reinforcing its commitment to excellence and innovation. Training at Glenogle six days a week, Hearts swimmers flourished — and as membership grew, the club expanded to multiple venues across the city to meet rising demand.
During the 1990s, Head Coach Ally Whike (a lifelong Hearts swimmer who went on to become Performance Director for Scottish Swimming) oversaw a remarkable period of achievement. Under his leadership, the club produced numerous Scottish champions and record holders, including Kirsty Orr, who at just 15 became the first Hearts swimmer to represent Great Britain at the European Youth Olympics.
Hearts on the International Stage
The early 2000s brought international recognition for Hearts swimmers. Kirsty Balfour and Gregor Tait both represented Scotland at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, and went on to compete for Great Britain at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Their achievements — including Commonwealth medals and European titles — stand as a testament to the quality of Hearts coaching and the dedication of our swimmers.
Kris Gilchrist, another Hearts star, also represented Team GB at the 2008 Olympics and Scotland at multiple Commonwealth Games, earning medals at both European and World Championships.
Louise Pate, coached by Phil Potter, represented Scotland at the 2004 Commonwealth Youth Games, winning bronze in the 4×100 Medley Relay, and later represented Team GB at the European Championships and Scotland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
These swimmers, and many others, have proudly carried the Hearts name onto the world stage — an incredible reflection of our club’s depth of talent and coaching excellence.
Modern Hearts
Today, Hearts continues to thrive as a modern, inclusive, and community-led club.
In 2010, we celebrated our 125th anniversary with a year of special events, and in 2012, we became the first club in Scotland to achieve SwimMark Plus accreditation, recognising our commitment to excellence in coaching, governance, and member welfare.
Our club has since been recognised in the ClubSport Edinburgh Team Awards and continues to work closely with the Forrester/St Augustine’s Community Sports Hub to promote swimming opportunities across the city.
From our thriving Swim School to our Masters section and competitive squads, Hearts provides a structured pathway for every swimmer — supported by qualified coaches, a dedicated committee, and an incredible network of parents and volunteers.
We continue to live by our club vision:
To deliver a range of swimming opportunities for all in a friendly and supportive team setting — building strong team spirit, supporting every swimmer to reach their potential, and creating a sustainable and successful club.
A Proud Past, A Bright Future
Every member of Hearts achieves something remarkable — learning life skills, gaining confidence, and being part of a club that has inspired swimmers for over a century.
With dedicated coaches, enthusiastic volunteers, and a warm, welcoming community, Heart of Midlothian Amateur Swimming Club remains the perfect place to swim, compete, and belong.
