Portobello High Street

Category

Library Item

Item no

4300

Title

Portobello High Street

Description

People wait on the cobblestoned High Street running through Portobello, Edinburgh. The road is busy with trams, a cyclist, horses and carriages and a cart laden with baskets. On either side of the street are shops, bars and houses. A window cleaner can be seen cleaning the windows of one shop. A church spire can be seen at the far end of the road.

Artist / maker

Inglis, Alexander Adam

Date

1909

Size

14.8 x 20.5 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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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Spires

Business > Service industry > Shops

People > Commercial activities > Window cleaners

Places > Edinburgh areas > Portobello

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Trams

(55°57′11″N, 3°6′53″W)

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