Marine Gardens, Portobello, demolition of the 'manhole'

Category

Library Item

Item no

4451

Title

Marine Gardens, Portobello, demolition of the 'manhole'

Description

A man poses beside a chimney during the demolition of Marine Gardens, Portobello, Edinburgh. All around him lies rubble and a mechanical digger stands to his left. A row of house roofs can be seen in the background.

Artist / maker

Baird, George

Date

1961

Size

9 x 9 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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