Portobello Beach

Category

Library Item

Item no

4222

Title

Portobello Beach

Description

An image of Portobello Beach taken from a ship off shore or the pier. Many people are wading in the water and several are rowing out to sea in small rowing boats. A line of bathing huts on wheels in positioned in the water. Many people are also walking along the promenade in front of the houses and businesses that line the beach. Smoke from the pottery chimneys drifts across the sky.

Artist / maker

Inglis, Alexander Adam

Date

1890

Size

14.8 x 20.1 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Portobello developed around a cottage built in the mid 18th century. The sailor who occupied the cottage had fought at Puerto Bello, a port in Panama captured by the British in 1739, and named his home after the battle. With its long beach the town became an increasingly popular leisure destination. It boasted a pier between 1871-1917 and an outdoor swimming pool between 1936-1979. Holidaymakers and day-trippers could also visit the Marine Gardens or the fun fair, both now demolished. The town has been part of Edinburgh since 1896.

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(55°57′15″N, 3°6′28″W)

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