Overview

Lost Shore feels almost unreal. A world-class surfing resort just 8 miles from Edinburgh! Nestled in a valley, a winding path takes you down to the heart of the resort, where you'll discover a large surf pool with a wave machine, a surf shop, a sauna, therapy rooms, six accessible lodges and drinks and dining provided by Canteen, boasting an ever-changing lineup of guest kitchens operated by some of the best eateries in Scotland. Working in partnership with Inclusive Surfing Scotland, Lost Shore are keen to show that surfing is for anyone.

Transport & Parking

You'll need a car to get to Lost Shore. Due to its remote location, there are no bus routes or train stations in the immediate vicinity. When I first arrived, I noticed that the standard parking spaces were set on gravel, which is a nightmare for many with mobility impairments. However, the 16 accessible parking spaces are set on tarmac, which shows me that accessibility was a focus when installing the spaces. So many places just whack a space in without thinking about the needs of the people using them. Another great addition is that several of the accessible parking spaces have EV chargers. I'm so used to seeing car parks with one or the other but not both in the same bay, which is forward-thinking as electric vehicles will soon become the standard, and it's important not to leave disabled people behind. Please note that you'll need your own charging cable. The accessible parking spaces don't have crosshatching on either side, but there is more than enough space to open a door on either side or drop the ramp in a WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle). Great work! I've given this rating for a few reasons. There are no current public transport links, the EV chargers requiring the use of your own cable means some extra effort, and the car park is a bit of a distance from the main facilities. In order to get to Lost Shore, you need to go downhill, which means a return uphill that may be a struggle for some. Lost Shore does have buggies, however, which I'm certain could be used to ferry visitors between the car park and the main facilities.

Access

Access is generally good, with step-free access in almost all parts of the waterside section of the resort. As there are several buildings. I'll break this into parts. Accessible Lodges: There is a slight incline up to the door, but a wooden ramp ensures that's not much of an issue. The door is unlocked using a standard metal key rather than a key card, and it opens inward. Upon entry, you're presented with the kitchen, which has a decent-sized dining table that could accommodate a wheelchair user if you move the chairs. The countertop is a standard height, the oven is low down, but the microwave is higher up and integrated, which may make it difficult for some to reach. The hallway is narrow, which means you'll need to enter the dining area, toilet, or bedroom to turn around comfortably. The bedroom is quite spacious, with loads of room for a left-side transfer and a decent amount of space on the right of the double bed. There is also a bunk bed in the room, but plenty of space to pass between it and the double bed. I'll document the toilets in the next section. Reception Area: The entrance has touchpad-activated doors that open outward. Once inside, there is plenty of space to move around, whether going through to the surf shop or further down to the therapy room. Although there isn't signage, there is an induction loop at the main desk. The desk does not have lowered sections, and there are no additional alternative formats. Canteen: As with the reception area, the doors open outward and are activated by the touchpad on the rail outside. This area is especially airy, with loads of places to sit and food and water bowls for dogs and assistance dogs. There are also dog-free zones if you'd prefer to sit there. There are many large tables which, if a chair is moved, can easily accommodate a wheelchair user. On each table, you'll find a QR code through which you can order food from one of the rotating guest kitchens. On my visit, Five March (small plates), Rafa (Mexican), and Civerinos (pizza) were in residence. A hearing loop is active at the coffee bar. Grounds: The grounds are well maintained and easy to traverse, even with a mobility aid. There's sloped access down to the pools, but I can't say much more about the water as I didn't take a dip. One shortcoming I discussed with the resort manager was that the sauna was not accessible. It is raised, with no ramped access or grab rails. This means you may need assistance to access the sauna if you have reduced mobility. That said, I know they're eager for feedback and are constantly looking for ways that access can be improved.

Toilets

I visited two accessible toilets—one in the canteen and the other in Kurv 5, which is one of the six accessible cabins. Canteen Accessible Toilet: I had a little trouble getting to the accessible toilet, as it's in a corridor accessed by a manual door -a touchpad would be a great addition. The door to the accessible toilet doesn't require a RADAR key and opens outward. Though a little compact, there is space to accommodate a manual or power chair user and two others. The toilet is on the rear wall and features a contrasting toilet seat, contrasting grab rails, and a colostomy shelf, which so many businesses overlook when installing accessible toilets. Please note that the toilet seat is right-side transfer only. The red cord is on your right when seated and was hanging to the floor on my visit. The small sink features a lever-style tap, a wall-mounted soap dispenser, and, just to the left, a paper towel dispenser. Contrasting grab rails are installed on both sides. The door has a grab rail on the inside. Kurv Accessible Toilet: The toilets in the six accessible Kurvs have a sliding door. The room is spacious enough to accommodate a power chair user and several other people, with plenty of room to turn. The toilet seat is not contrasting, but the soft backrest and grab rails on either side are. I did note that there was no red emergency cord, which I fed back to the staff. There are two sinks in the room, a small sink with a lever-style tap and rails on the left wall, and a second larger sink on the right wall, which a wheelchair user can get their knees under. This second sink has a lever-style tap but no grab rails. The room has a wall-mounted shower with grab rails, a wall-mounted shower seat, and a shower curtain. This is a wet-room-style toilet with lino flooring.

Staff

The staff were very accommodating to my needs during my visit. Lex gave me a short tour of the accessible cabin, while Mark, the Resort Director, spoke to me at length about the existing features and the resort’s aspirations to be as inclusive as possible. At the coffee bar, my server, whose name I didn't manage to catch, brought my coffee over when she noticed that I'm a wheelchair user. This sounds so simple, but so many places just hand you a cup and send you on your way, without considering that pushing a chair requires both hands. The staff in the surf shop were lovely too, and the reception team were genuinely engaged.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Lost Shore has a partnership with Inclusive Surfing Scotland, a charity focused on making surfing accessible to as many people as possible. If you book a surfing lesson or session on the Lost Shore website, they ask: "Do you have a disability, additional needs, or require any adaptations that may restrict you from accessing a non-disabled surf session?" Clicking "yes" will direct you to Inclusive Surfing Scotland's website, which will help ensure your session meets your specific needs. I love this approach as it means Lost Shore isn't just checking boxes but actively seeking informed guidance to give you the best experience possible. If the Kurvs had hoists fitted, it would make Lost Shore stand out even more.

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