The Complete Guide to Scotland’s Inland Surf Resort
If you want to surf consistent waves in Scotland without waiting for the Atlantic swell and tide to line up, Lost Shore Surf Resort is one of the most exciting places to surf in the UK.
Located at Ratho, just outside Edinburgh, Lost Shore is Scotland’s first major commercial inland surf resort and is home to Europe’s largest wave pool. The Wavegarden Cove system can produce up to 1,000 waves per hour, with different wave settings designed for everyone from complete beginners to experienced surfers.
Where is Lost Shore?
Lost Shore Surf Resort is located at:
Lost Shore Surf Resort
11 South Platt Hill
Newbridge
Edinburgh
EH28 8AY
Scotland
It is approximately 25 minutes from Edinburgh city centre and is also conveniently located for Edinburgh Airport.
Lost Shore Surf Resort
For surfers travelling from England, the location makes Lost Shore a particularly interesting option for a weekend surf trip.
What makes Lost Shore different?
Traditional surfing depends on weather, swell direction, tide and wind.
Lost Shore removes many of those variables.
The Wavegarden Cove system allows the operators to select different wave settings, giving surfers the opportunity to work on particular parts of their surfing repeatedly.
That makes the pool particularly useful for:
- Beginners learning to stand up
- Surfers improving their wave selection
- Intermediate surfers working on turns
- Shortboarders practising manoeuvres
- Longboarders developing flow
- Advanced surfers working on barrels
- Surfers preparing for competitions
- Surf photographers looking for consistent action
- Surf schools and coaching sessions
- Adaptive surfing
The consistency is one of the biggest advantages. Instead of waiting for the next good set at a beach, you know that another wave is coming.
The Wavegarden Cove
Lost Shore uses Wavegarden Cove technology.
The system was designed specifically for surfing and can create different types of waves throughout the lagoon.
Lost Shore describes the facility as three times the size of Wembley football pitch and capable of generating up to 1,000 waves per hour.
The pool has different zones and wave settings, meaning the experience changes considerably depending on what session you book.
Wave settings
One of the best things about Lost Shore is that you don’t simply get one type of wave.
The settings range from gentle beginner waves through to powerful waves designed for experienced surfers.
Cruiser
Cruiser is one of the most accessible settings.
Expect relatively gentle, open-faced waves that are suitable for beginners and early intermediates.
This is a good choice if you’re:
- Learning to surf
- Moving from white water onto green waves
- Riding a foam board
- Learning to trim
- Developing confidence
- Learning basic turns
Longboards and larger funboards work particularly well here.
Cruiser Plus
Cruiser Plus increases the speed and quality of the wave while remaining relatively forgiving.
It is particularly useful for surfers who have progressed beyond the beginner stage.
You can start working on:
- Generating speed
- Trimming
- Linking turns
- Bottom turns
- Basic cutbacks
- Positioning
For an intermediate surfer, this can be a very useful training setting.
Turns
The Turns setting is where the surfing becomes considerably more performance-focused.
The waves become steeper and faster, providing a better platform for practising turns.
Expect waves suitable for:
- Bottom turns
- Top turns
- Cutbacks
- Carving
- Off-the-top manoeuvres
- Speed generation
- Shortboard surfing
This is a great setting for surfers who already have reasonable control of their board.
Manoeuvres
Manoeuvres takes things another step further.
The waves become more powerful and provide sections where experienced surfers can work on more advanced surfing.
Depending on the session, surfers can practise:
- Powerful carving
- Vertical turns
- Re-entries
- More aggressive cutbacks
- Small tube sections
- Advanced shortboard manoeuvres
Previous sessions at Lost Shore have been described as producing powerful shoulder-high waves with multiple sections for turns and even small tube opportunities.
Manoeuvres Plus
This is aimed at more advanced surfers looking for increased speed, power and more demanding sections.
If you’re comfortable surfing fast waves and performing turns in the pocket, this is where you can start pushing your surfing harder.
It isn’t the setting I would recommend for someone still learning basic wave control.
Barrel
For experienced surfers, the Barrel setting is one of the big attractions.
The wave becomes hollow and provides a genuine opportunity to practise getting barrelled.
This is very different from the normal beginner and intermediate sessions.
You need:
- Good take-off skills
- Strong positioning
- Confidence on faster waves
- Good board control
- The ability to generate speed
- Experience dealing with consequences when things go wrong
The Barrel setting has been reported as producing head-high hollow waves suitable for experienced surfers and bodyboarders.
High Performance
High Performance is aimed at highly experienced surfers.
Expect powerful waves, barrels and more demanding sections.
This is the sort of session where surfers can concentrate on performance rather than simply catching waves.
If you are travelling specifically to improve your surfing, booking the appropriate advanced setting can be considerably more productive than simply choosing the biggest wave available.
Which session should you book?
A simple guide:
| Your ability | Suggested setting |
|---|---|
| Complete beginner | Beginner/Cove sessions |
| Beginner catching green waves | Cruiser |
| Improving intermediate | Cruiser Plus |
| Confident intermediate | Turns |
| Advanced surfer | Manoeuvres |
| Advanced performance surfer | Manoeuvres Plus |
| Experienced barrel surfer | Barrel |
| Elite/very experienced surfer | High Performance |
The exact settings and availability can change, so always check the current Lost Shore booking information before travelling.
What equipment do you need?
One of the advantages of Lost Shore is that you don’t necessarily need to travel with a board.
Sessions can include equipment, and board hire is available for different types of boards.
Reported hire options include:
- Softboards
- Funboards
- Mini-mals
- Longboards
- Performance softboards
- Hybrid boards
- Standard hardboards
- Premium hardboards
- Bodyboards
- Bodysurfing equipment
Recent information lists softboards such as funboards, mini-mals and longboards as available without an additional hire charge in certain sessions, while other boards have hire fees. Always check the current price when booking.
What board should you take?
If you have your own board, choosing the right one can make a big difference.
Beginners
A large foam board or mini-mal is normally the easiest option.
Don’t take your smallest shortboard just because you want to progress quickly.
A wave pool gives you lots of opportunities to practise, so you can get far more out of the session by riding a board that allows you to catch waves consistently.
Intermediate surfers
A groveller, fish, mid-length or performance board can work well depending on the wave setting.
Advanced surfers
Your normal performance shortboard is likely to be the most appropriate choice for the more powerful settings.
However, don’t automatically choose the smallest board you own.
Wave pools are extremely repetitive, and you’ll be surfing many waves in a relatively short period.
A board that allows you to surf with control rather than simply survive can be the better choice.
Wetsuits and water temperature
Scotland isn’t known for warm water!
However, one of the advantages of Lost Shore is that you don’t have to deal with the same conditions as an exposed Scottish beach.
The resort provides wetsuits as part of its surfing experience, and Lost Shore has developed its own fleet of plant-based wetsuits designed to keep surfers warm.
If you prefer your own wetsuit, bring it.
For Scottish surfers who already own good-quality cold-water equipment, using your own wetsuit can be more comfortable because you know exactly how it fits.
How long does a session take?
A typical surf session is around 60 minutes in the water.
Allow additional time before your session for:
- Check-in
- Changing
- Safety information
- Equipment collection
- Getting to the pool
- Getting into the water
Recent information recommends allowing around 60 minutes before the session for check-in, safety briefings and waivers.
Don’t arrive five minutes before your session expecting to walk straight into the water.
How many people surf together?
Recent information indicates that standard one-hour sessions can have up to 20 participants.
This is still very different from a crowded beach lineup because the wave system is designed to continually provide opportunities.
The exact number of waves you personally catch will depend on:
- Your ability
- Positioning
- Wave setting
- How quickly you paddle back into position
- How efficiently you take off
- The number of surfers in your session
Why wave pools are so good for improving
One of the biggest advantages is repetition.
At a normal beach you might spend an hour catching only a handful of good waves.
At a wave pool, you can potentially practise the same manoeuvre repeatedly.
For example, you could spend an entire session concentrating on:
Bottom turn → top turn → trim → cutback
Then book another session and concentrate on something completely different.
This makes wave pools particularly valuable for surfers who want to improve technique rather than simply go surfing.
Using Lost Shore for surf coaching
The consistency of the waves also makes the facility useful for coaching.
A coach can watch the same surfer perform repeatedly and identify problems such as:
- Poor take-off position
- Incorrect stance
- Looking down
- Weak bottom turn
- Poor weight distribution
- Lack of speed generation
- Turning too late
- Failing to use the pocket
Because the waves are predictable, you can make a correction and then try it again shortly afterwards.
This is much harder to achieve when you’re waiting 10 minutes for the next suitable wave at the beach.
Surf photography at Lost Shore
For surf photographers, Lost Shore is particularly interesting.
Unlike photographing a beach break, the photographer can work with extremely predictable wave locations.
This can make it easier to plan:
- Shooting position
- Lens choice
- Shutter speed
- Exposure
- Autofocus settings
- Composition
For an action photographer, the consistency means you can concentrate on getting the photograph rather than constantly searching for where the next wave will break.
For your Sony system, a longer lens such as a Sony 200-600mm would be particularly interesting from outside the water for tight action shots.
A shorter lens can be useful for wider environmental photographs showing the surfer within the resort.
Always check Lost Shore’s current photography and access rules before taking professional or commercial equipment into the facility.
Surf photography tips
If you’re photographing surfers here, try shooting:
Tight action
Use a long telephoto lens to isolate the surfer.
Look for:
- Spray
- Turns
- Barrel sections
- Facial expressions
- Water droplets
- Board spray
- Fin release
Environmental photographs
Don’t photograph everything at 600mm.
Pull back and show:
- The lagoon
- Scottish landscape
- Surfers
- Spectators
- Buildings
- The surrounding country park
These photographs help tell the story of the trip.
Shoot sequences
Because the waves are predictable, continuous shooting can work particularly well.
Try capturing:
- Take-off
- Bottom turn
- First manoeuvre
- Second manoeuvre
- Exit
This can create a complete sequence from one wave.
Surfing for children
Lost Shore is designed to cater for different ages and abilities.
Recent information states that surfing sessions can be available from age six, with participants required to be able to swim 25 metres unassisted.
For children who are nervous about the ocean, a controlled wave environment can be a useful introduction to surfing.
Parents should always check the current age, swimming and supervision requirements before booking.
Adaptive surfing
One of the particularly positive aspects of Lost Shore is its work with adaptive surfers.
Inclusive Surfing Scotland is the adaptive surf partner at Lost Shore.
Their programme provides one-to-one adaptive surfing sessions, including equipment designed for different needs. The beginner area provides controlled knee-high whitewater waves, creating a much more predictable environment for people starting their surfing journey.
This is an important development for Scottish surfing because traditional beaches can present significant accessibility challenges.
The controlled environment of a wave pool can remove some of those barriers.
Lost Shore isn’t just a wave pool
One of the things that makes Lost Shore different from a normal surf facility is that it is designed as a complete destination.
The resort sits within a 60-acre country park and includes accommodation, food and drink, wellness facilities and other activities.
Accommodation includes:
- Waterfront Pods
- Waterfront Lodges
- Hilltop Lodges
Some accommodation can sleep larger groups, making the resort suitable for families, groups of surfers and surf weekends.
Making a weekend surf trip
If you’re travelling from Yorkshire or northern England, Lost Shore can work particularly well as a weekend trip.
Day 1
Travel north.
Arrive at Lost Shore.
Check into accommodation if staying overnight.
Explore the resort.
Have food and relax.
Day 2
Morning surf session.
Breakfast/brunch.
Second surf session if available.
Relax at the resort.
Travel home or stay another night.
Booking two different wave settings can be particularly useful.
For example:
Session 1 – Turns
Concentrate on technique.
Session 2 – Manoeuvres
Put the technique into practice on faster waves.
Lost Shore versus surfing the Scottish coast
The two experiences are completely different.
Lost Shore
Advantages
- Consistent waves
- No waiting for swell
- Different wave settings
- Controlled environment
- Excellent for coaching
- Excellent for practising manoeuvres
- Suitable for different ability levels
- Equipment hire available
- Accommodation on site
Scottish coastline
Advantages
- Natural waves
- Different breaks
- Real ocean conditions
- Tides and currents
- Changing wave shapes
- Adventure
- Surfing iconic Scottish locations
The best option isn’t necessarily one or the other.
A trip to Scotland could combine both.
Surf Lost Shore for technical practice and then head to the coast for a completely different surfing experience.
Combining Lost Shore with a Scottish surf trip
If you’re travelling further north, consider combining the pool with Scotland’s famous natural surf spots.
The north coast around Thurso has a huge variety of waves.
Dunnet Beach is particularly suitable for beginners, while Thurso Beach can also provide more forgiving conditions.
For experienced surfers, Thurso East is one of Scotland’s most famous reef breaks and can produce powerful, hollow waves.
Just remember that Thurso East is a serious natural reef break and should only be surfed by experienced surfers with appropriate local knowledge.
Lost Shore for beginners
If you’ve never surfed before, don’t feel that a wave pool is only for experienced surfers.
One of the major benefits of Lost Shore is that the experience can be structured around your ability.
Beginners can learn in a controlled environment before progressing towards more challenging waves.
You don’t need to turn up knowing how to surf.
That’s exactly what the beginner sessions are designed for.
Lost Shore for experienced surfers
For experienced surfers, the attraction is different.
Instead of simply trying to catch waves, you can use the pool as a training facility.
You can work on:
- Speed
- Turns
- Barrel riding
- Foot placement
- Timing
- Competition surfing
- Repetition
- Fitness
You can also deliberately choose a session based on the manoeuvre you want to improve.
What to take with you
Before travelling, consider packing:
- Surfing clothes
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Flip-flops
- Your own wetsuit if preferred
- Your own surfboard if appropriate
- Wax if permitted/required
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Phone
- Dry bag
- Warm clothes for before and after surfing
- Changing bag
- Any medication or personal items you normally need
Don’t forget that you are still in Scotland.
Even during summer, bring warm clothing for before and after your session.
Tips for your first Lost Shore session
1. Don’t choose the biggest wave
More powerful doesn’t automatically mean more fun.
Choose the setting that matches your ability.
2. Arrive early
Give yourself plenty of time for check-in, changing and the safety briefing.
3. Don’t overthink your first waves
The first few waves are about getting comfortable with the timing.
4. Watch other surfers
You can learn a huge amount by watching how better surfers position themselves.
5. Paddle back efficiently
Your session time is valuable.
Don’t spend unnecessary time sitting around.
6. Work on one thing
Don’t try to fix your entire surfing in one session.
Choose one goal.
For example:
“Today I’m going to work on my bottom turn.”
7. Expect to be tired
Wave pools can be surprisingly demanding.
The consistency means you may catch many more waves than you normally would in an ocean session.
Is Lost Shore worth visiting?
For surfers, yes — particularly if you want to improve your surfing.
The biggest attraction isn’t simply that it creates artificial waves.
It’s the consistency.
A good wave at the beach might give you one or two opportunities to practise a manoeuvre.
Lost Shore can give you repeated opportunities to work on the same skill.
For beginners, it provides a controlled introduction to surfing.
For intermediate surfers, it can accelerate progression.
For advanced surfers, the more powerful settings provide an opportunity to work on performance surfing and barrels.
And for photographers, the predictable waves create an interesting environment for surf action photography.
Useful links
Lost Shore Surf Resort
Official Lost Shore Surf Resort website
Lost Shore resort information
Inclusive Surfing Scotland
Inclusive Surfing Scotland – Lost Shore surfing
North Coast Scotland Surf Guide
North Coast Watersports – Scotland Surf Guide
Final thoughts
Lost Shore has changed the Scottish surfing landscape.
Instead of waiting for the right combination of swell, wind and tide, surfers can now travel to an inland facility near Edinburgh and surf programmed waves throughout the year.
It doesn’t replace Scotland’s natural coastline.
Instead, it gives surfers another option — one that is particularly valuable for learning, coaching, training and improving technique.
For someone travelling from Yorkshire, it could make an excellent Scottish surf weekend, especially if you combine a session at Lost Shore with a trip to some of Scotland’s natural surf beaches.
Lost Shore for the repetition.
Scotland’s coastline for the adventure.
Together, they make a pretty good Scottish surf trip.
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