Lost Shore Surf Resort

The Lost Shore Surf Resort is Scotland's first and Europe's largest inland surf destination. The world class facility is set to "change the landscape for Scottish tourism." Based in a disused quarry to the West of Edinburgh, this highly innovative complex comprises Wavegarden powered cove technology which generates continuous waves, three central hub buildings and accommodation pods which sit harmoniously within the landscape, offering visitors an experience unlike any other attraction in Scotland.
The brownfield site is a former quarry close to Ratho village in rural West Edinburgh. The reinstated slopped topography of the land and retained cliff face to the west, create a natural amphitheatre rich in character and providing protection from the prevailing winds. Creating a designated Public Park that will offer significant biodiveristy net gain and a setting resilient to climate change. The wider site objectives include the recolonistaion of the park from the canal corridor through a variety of wet-woodland, meadows, gorse/heather land, woodland, aquatic/marginal habitats and reinforces existing woodland corridors and Green Blue Networks.
The Country Park will offer a range of activities which complement the main surf focus for patrons and country park users alike. The network of paths which cut through, around and across the park provide a hierarchy of routes defined by width and surface materials. Paths will be suitable for a number of varied leisure activities including biking, running, cross country skiing, horse riding and walking.
Bounding the site to the north is the Union Canal, acting as a direct route along the tow-path to Edinburgh city centre 9 miles to the east. This Scheduled Ancient Monument also introduces an established woodland into the site from which wildlife corridors and re-colonisation of the site are proposed to maximise the site's biodiversity potential. The tow-path, and waterway itself is also a key component for resource conscious travel to the site, offering multi-modal opportunities for sustainable access, directly into Edinburgh's Lochrin Basin to the east and the Falkirk Wheel to the west.
Directly north of the canal is the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena. Built in a quarry approximately 1/10th the size of the Craigpark quarry, the site offers natural synergies with the brief, and is regarded as highly complementary to the facility.
The client's ambitious aspirations were achieved within budget and with the visitor at the heart of the design approach.