Portobello from the beach

Category

Library Item

Item no

4394

Title

Portobello from the beach

Description

Many well-dressed Victorian ladies and gentlemen take to the sands at Portobello, Edinburgh. Most are just walking, but some are riding horses. Further along the beach bathing huts can be seen, in the water and on the sands. The crumbling masonry of the Tower stands beside the promenade amongst a mixture of other smaller houses. In the distance there stands a line of smoking factory chimneys.

Artist / maker

Greenwood, C. J.

Date

1845

Size

27.3 x 35.3 cm

Type

Lithograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The print was published by J Borthwick, Bookseller & Stationer, 112 High Street, Portobello and printed by Standridge & Co, 36 Old Jewry.

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

Places > Edinburgh areas > Portobello

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Activities > Walking

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Bathing wagons

Sport and leisure > Sports and recreation facilities > Beaches

Transport > Land > Horse and riders

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