SOME of our pictures from the 1970s surprise people because the place where the picture was taken has changed so much since then. Others are surprising because they have changed so little.
This is the cooling room of the magnificent Arlington Baths in Woodside, Glasgow, in November, 1977, where these gentlemen are relaxing after the heat of the Turkish baths.
They might have updated the furniture since then, but essentially it is the same today, although many members favour longer trunks.
The club used to employ a “pants boy” who collected the wet discarded trunks of members and dried them before returning them.
The Arlington Baths, a private members club, is the oldest of its type in the world, built a century earlier in 1870 to a design by architect John Burnet, who incorporated many design features described as Byzantine or Italianate. Basically, it’s a bit oriental looking.
The swimming pool has a trapeze above it for the more energetic, and over the years it has been modernised, but without losing its original Victorian charm. The gymnasium, for example, has modern equipment rather than the simple barbells of old.
It’s somehow reassuring that Glasgow has retained two such private clubs – the Arlington and the nearby Western Club at Hillhead.
New members are always welcome, although you have to pick up your own pants these days.
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