The Mactaggart Leisure Centre is owned by the people of Islay and Jura and is operated by Islay and Jura Community Enterprises Ltd., a community business limited by guarantee with charitable status.

Today, it is very hard to imagine that the purpose for building the Swimming Pool and facilities stemmed from concerned Islay parents who felt that their children, surrounded by water, had a right to be taught to swim. They also felt that Island life would be far safer and healthier if there was an indoor swimming pool complex.

Campaigning for an indoor pool facility on Islay and Jura dates back as early as 1981 when the Islay Swimming Pool Association was formed.

Following 3 years of unsuccessful lobbying and petitioning, the local parents decided that their children had waited long enough and began to hire experienced swimming tutors to teach them to swim in the cold and choppy waters of the Lochindaal.

In 1984, 117 children enrolled in the first year and another 187 in the following year, and this youthful determination and commitment inspired the local people to build their own pool.

By coincidence, Bowmore Distillery Management was planning to move whisky out of one of its warehouses. The pool committee seized the opportunity to ask the Distillery and to their delight they agreed to donate the warehouse to the community provided they raised the money to build the pool.

From then on fundraising gained momentum and by 1990 the local community succeeded in raising the £1 million required for the pool's construction.

The Mactaggart Pool (named after Sir Ian Mactaggart, father of one of the pool's benefactors) as it was known, finally opened its doors on 29th June 1991.

A five-year local boy Stuart Livingstone was chosen to cut the ribbon and the rest of the opening day involved pool fun and games and even a guest appearance by former Olympic swimmer David Wilkie. The Mactaggart Leisure Centre is now celebrating its 18th Anniversary and since its opening has achieved many milestones including the construction of a multi-purpose meeting & activity room, Fitness Suite and Tancab area. It has also been successful in winning four nationally recognised awards.