Large Crowd of Bathers at Portobello Outdoor Pool

Category

Museums & Galleries Item

Item no

51523

Title

Photograph of a large crowd of bathers at Portobello outdoor pool.

Description

One black and white photograph of a large crowd of bathers at Portobello outdoor pool, with people busily moving around, laughing and swimming in the water and on the edges of the pool.

Date

1937

Location

Museums Collection Centre

Copyright

The City of Edinburgh Council Museums and Galleries

From the late 19th century through to the middle of the 20th century Portobello welcomed thousands of holiday makers. At of the height of its popularity there was a pier, donkey rides, marine gardens with a zoo and an outdoor swimming pool. The Museum of Childhood has a number of family holiday snaps from the 1930s showing a family enjoying the donkey rides and outdoor pool. This photo was taken around 1937-1938, by the donor, who visited Portobello as a child on holiday with her parents and brother. On the back of the photograph she has written “Portobello Baths. Dad is in there somewhere".

The pool opened in 1936 and could accommodate over 1000 bathers with room for even more spectators. Not only did the public enjoy warm water heated by the nearby coal fuelled power station, but they could also enjoy watching novelty diving, comedy acts and swimming races.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Garments > Swimming costumes

Places > Edinburgh areas > Portobello

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Activities > Swimming

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Large crowd of bathers at Portobello outdoor pool