Portobello High Street, looking east

Category

Library Item

Item no

14087

Title

Portobello High Street, looking east from Marlborough Street

Description

A lady browses in a shop window on Portobello High Street, Edinburgh. The row of shops includes a clothing outfitter, grocers, wine merchant, a pastry cook and confectioners. A tram with several men sitting on the top heads towards Joppa.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1900

Size

16.7 x 21.4 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

Business > Service industry > Shops

Places > Edinburgh areas > Portobello

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Infrastructure > Roads

Transport > Land > Trams