Promoting Portobello and Portobello Beach?

[Maria]

Dropped in the rankings but only to number 10

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction ... ml#REVIEWS

[wangi]

After the great weather and bustling beach & Prom over the weekend it's good to get some feedback on our own wee beach. Of course, it could be improved in a number of ways. The following were from Twitter:

AtherRizvi: @EdinSpotlight @talkporty was at Portobello this afternoon, brilliant day but found it a bit disappointing!
talkporty: That's a shame - if you could change one thing about Porty Beach to improve your experience, what would it be?
AtherRizvi: can i give you more than one please?
talkporty: Sure, fire away!
AtherRizvi: 1)Its hidden, some 'beach-y' promotion and a sense of tourism would make all the difference esp for the 1st timer.
AtherRizvi: 2) the sandy part is narrow and just not enough space, not sure if anything can be done about it.
AtherRizvi: doesnt have a Scottish feel to it i.e not scenic, like say Crammond. Feels like a random strip of water anywhere.
AtherRizvi: just some more creativity, thought into visitor experience can make all the difference. Feels a bit low-market.
AtherRizvi: plz dont get me wrong, ITS NICE AND PERFECT FOR SUNNY DAYS, but has room for improvement
talkporty: Ta, some discussed on Talk Porty; http://goo.gl/Nusie & http://goo.gl/pPTuJ - pushing @Edinburgh_CC to promote!

I think a lot of that is echoed in the effort in this thread to identify how Portobello and its beach can be better promoted. And on the yellow/blue flag thread too.

I'm uncertain if the poster walked the whole length on the Prom - I think if they had then might have a different feel on the width of the sand (it varies a lot over the length of the beach); the "Scottishness" and even the "low market" impression that can be present in parts!

As part of any flag scheme I think there'd be maps - they would help on identifying the beach width I think?

I've had a few emails with Edinburgh Council re access to the beach & sea by wheelchairs. The challenge is getting commitment for anything to be done!

PS: I'm disagreeing with the "not scenic" bit

L/

[Bazza]

Well, if you're there at high tide, there's not much beach left! I always find it funny watching everyone get squeezed into a smaller and smaller strip

[SoupDragon]

I suppose how scenic it looks depends on which way you're facing
Look up to the West and its an industrial landscape, North and its Inchkeith with Largo Law in Fife beyond, look to the East and it's Berwick Law and East Lothian, occasionally a glimpse of the white top of Bass Rock, Fidra there too, of course if the haar is closing in a lot of that's not visible.
look to the South and you may see my washing on the line

This weekend entertainment was provided by several boxing matches, even the police came with their mobile disco with the flashy lights, to have a look and congratulte the participants, at least thats what I assume the police were saying as they gifted the lovely bracelets to the winners and losers

[rapunzell]

Indeed, one of the discos near us was particularly fine, with fun for all the family. Singalongs too, with 'Get the bairn tae haud ma fag an ma can - aye hen dinae finish it all likes - while ah punch her funking pus in' being the favourite.

I preferred the view of Inchkeith, and the 'end of the beach' sunset view, though the close-up of the polis car as it almost hit me, was a close contender.

[regent]

Maybe we could get a tanoy system linked from the bingo to the beach so that the numbers caller could be heard on the beach....... I have experienced this in blackpool.