Portobello, near Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

4243

Title

Portobello, near Edinburgh

Description

A rather fanciful image of Portobello, Edinburgh. A road runs along the coast and is bounded by a wall. Houses line part of the roadway. A business building of some kind stands in the foreground with a smoking chimney and two women carrying a basket outside it. On the other side of the street a man in a tricorner hat stands proudly holding a walking stick. Arthur's Seat stands in the background.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1834

Size

16.5 x 25.2 cm

Type

Wash drawing

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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Related images

Related subjects

Landscape > Land > Hills

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

Places > Edinburgh areas > Portobello

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Roads

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