Portobello took to the skies on 1 August 1912 when thousands of people turned out on the beach to watch an exhibition of flying given by M. Rene Caudran on the Caudran biplane.
He set off from the seashore outside the Marine Gardens. This was an eastward flight, forty feet up, near the pier, a swing out left handed over a stretch of the waters of the Firth of Forth and a dash home to land inside the Marine Gardens sports enclosure within fifty paces of the hangar.
The flight was over a mile and a half with a maximum altitude of about 120 feet.
In the evening, for fourteen minutes, M. Caudran soared over land and sea in the vicinity of the Marine Gardens and in that time covered about eleven miles at a highest altitude of over 650 feet. At one point he was about three quarters of a mile out over the Firth.
On The Beach
There was a severe storm on the 27 November 1912
It caused extensive damage throughout Edinburgh and there were numerous accidents.
During the night a high south westerly wind sprung up and as the day broke it increased in velocity. It reached its maximum in the afternoon and at times it blew with tremendous force.
Signboards and hoardings suffered considerably at Portobello and Joppa. A portion of the boundary hoarding of the Fun City was shattered and the material blown across the Promenade with such violence that about twenty five feet of the iron stanchion and railing work on the beach side of the pavement were smashed.
In the High Street, near Kings Road, a large stretch of advertisement hoarding was wrenched from its supports.
It caused extensive damage throughout Edinburgh and there were numerous accidents.
During the night a high south westerly wind sprung up and as the day broke it increased in velocity. It reached its maximum in the afternoon and at times it blew with tremendous force.
Signboards and hoardings suffered considerably at Portobello and Joppa. A portion of the boundary hoarding of the Fun City was shattered and the material blown across the Promenade with such violence that about twenty five feet of the iron stanchion and railing work on the beach side of the pavement were smashed.
In the High Street, near Kings Road, a large stretch of advertisement hoarding was wrenched from its supports.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Christmas 1912 saw wire baskets being attached to the lampposts on Portobello Promenade.
The public were informed that these were intended to be used for placing litter in, rather than dropping it on the sand. (There had been complaints by Councillor McMichael about the unkempt state of the beach.)
The public responded positively and by the New Year an improvement was already noticeable.
The public were informed that these were intended to be used for placing litter in, rather than dropping it on the sand. (There had been complaints by Councillor McMichael about the unkempt state of the beach.)
The public responded positively and by the New Year an improvement was already noticeable.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
During 1913 five local Portobello Boatmen took to beaching their boats on the Promenade.
There were many complaints to the Police that the boats were causing an obstruction and making it difficult for people to pass.
The Police, in turn, cautioned the men, but the problem persisted. Consequently on 17 October, the sailors found themselves up before the Police Court.
They argued that there was no boat house where they could store their boats during inclement weather and that they only hauled them up onto the Promenade when they felt that there was a risk if they left them on the beach.
They were instructed to stop causing any obstruction and gave an undertaking to that effect.
There were many complaints to the Police that the boats were causing an obstruction and making it difficult for people to pass.
The Police, in turn, cautioned the men, but the problem persisted. Consequently on 17 October, the sailors found themselves up before the Police Court.
They argued that there was no boat house where they could store their boats during inclement weather and that they only hauled them up onto the Promenade when they felt that there was a risk if they left them on the beach.
They were instructed to stop causing any obstruction and gave an undertaking to that effect.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
At the beginning of November 1913 a boy, not yet twelve years of age, James Kerr, entered a shed in a lane opening on to Portobello Promenade and from a coat hanging there stole a £5 bank note, a motor driver’s licence, a fountain pen and other articles, contained in a pocket book.
Mr. George Tulloch, a Portobello resident, happened to notice the boy acting suspiciously on the Promenade and keeping him under observation, found him examining the pocket book and destroying papers which he took from it.
Kerr, finding he was observed, handed the pocket book to Mr. Tulloch with the remark that he had found it on the sands and that there was money in it.
Mr Tulloch 'invited' the boy to come to the police office. The articles of value were recovered. Arrangements were made by the police to have the thief, who had been previously convicted of similar thefts, sent to an industrial school.
However, on 7 November, Bailie Rose, finding that the boy had a good home, gave him the benefit of the probation offenders Act and handed him over to the care of his parents.
Mr. George Tulloch, a Portobello resident, happened to notice the boy acting suspiciously on the Promenade and keeping him under observation, found him examining the pocket book and destroying papers which he took from it.
Kerr, finding he was observed, handed the pocket book to Mr. Tulloch with the remark that he had found it on the sands and that there was money in it.
Mr Tulloch 'invited' the boy to come to the police office. The articles of value were recovered. Arrangements were made by the police to have the thief, who had been previously convicted of similar thefts, sent to an industrial school.
However, on 7 November, Bailie Rose, finding that the boy had a good home, gave him the benefit of the probation offenders Act and handed him over to the care of his parents.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
With probably weary resignation, on April Fools Day 1914 the Lord Provost’s Committee of Edinburgh Town Council considered a motion to as to what immediate steps could be taken to stop the depletion of sand from Portobello beach.
The Committee decided to approach the Board of Trade on the matter in the first instance.
The Committee decided to approach the Board of Trade on the matter in the first instance.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
The common skua was much in evidence between September and October 1914; Portobello pier, it seems, was a favourite hunting ground of theirs being Portobello pier.
Golden eyes were scarce but two were noted close to the pier head on 23 October.
Razorbills and guillemots were very plentiful and a flock of fourteen wild geese passed over Portobello on 13th October, travelling west.
Golden eyes were scarce but two were noted close to the pier head on 23 October.
Razorbills and guillemots were very plentiful and a flock of fourteen wild geese passed over Portobello on 13th October, travelling west.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Throughout the First World War a series of open air recruiting meetings were arranged on behalf of the Scottish regiments.
These usually took place at the Bandstand on Portobello Promenade on Thursdays at 7 o'clock. The local Boys Brigade Band played selections to entertain recruits as they waited to sign on.
On Mondays the recruiting took place at 8 o’clock outside the end of the pier, at the foot of Bath Street.
These usually took place at the Bandstand on Portobello Promenade on Thursdays at 7 o'clock. The local Boys Brigade Band played selections to entertain recruits as they waited to sign on.
On Mondays the recruiting took place at 8 o’clock outside the end of the pier, at the foot of Bath Street.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On 23 June 1916 Edinburgh Town Council considered the erection of bathing shelters at Portobello beach.
The proposal was that there should be two shelters, one for males and one for females.
In view of the increased cost of materials because of the War and the fact that the season was already well advanced, the sub-committee decided to recommend that the matter should be delayed until after the end of hostilities.
The proposal was that there should be two shelters, one for males and one for females.
In view of the increased cost of materials because of the War and the fact that the season was already well advanced, the sub-committee decided to recommend that the matter should be delayed until after the end of hostilities.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Just before Christmas 1917 an advert appeared in the Scotsman requesting tenders for the demolition and removal of Portobello Pier.
The Galloway Saloon Steam Packet Company had got into difficulties, as so many enterprises did during the First World War, and could no longer afford to maintain it. Their problems were exacerbated by the refusal of the Ministry of Munitions to allow the use of wood to make urgent repairs to the decking, rendering the pier unsafe. It was closed throughout the 1917 summer season and, with no income coming in and increasing deterioration of the fabric, there was no option but to cut their losses and dispose of the pier.
A number of people protested that as the Pier had originally been authorised through an Act of Parliament, surely it could not be removed, demolished or otherwise ended without the permission of the Government. That was not the case.
A campaign was launched to persuade the City Authorities to buy it on behalf of the residents of Edinburgh, but to no avail.
It was slowly demolished during the spring of 1918 and on 14 June that year the remains were publicly sold.
If you were enterprising, you could pick up steel angles 4 in by 4 in about 12 tons; beams 20 in by 8 and half in two at 36 ft and two at 31 ft; cast iron columns large lot in 9 ft flange sections 9 in and 12 in diameter; timber etc. greenheart logs 50 from 30 to 36 ft long average 12 in by 12 in. All in prime condition.
The Galloway Saloon Steam Packet Company had got into difficulties, as so many enterprises did during the First World War, and could no longer afford to maintain it. Their problems were exacerbated by the refusal of the Ministry of Munitions to allow the use of wood to make urgent repairs to the decking, rendering the pier unsafe. It was closed throughout the 1917 summer season and, with no income coming in and increasing deterioration of the fabric, there was no option but to cut their losses and dispose of the pier.
A number of people protested that as the Pier had originally been authorised through an Act of Parliament, surely it could not be removed, demolished or otherwise ended without the permission of the Government. That was not the case.
A campaign was launched to persuade the City Authorities to buy it on behalf of the residents of Edinburgh, but to no avail.
It was slowly demolished during the spring of 1918 and on 14 June that year the remains were publicly sold.
If you were enterprising, you could pick up steel angles 4 in by 4 in about 12 tons; beams 20 in by 8 and half in two at 36 ft and two at 31 ft; cast iron columns large lot in 9 ft flange sections 9 in and 12 in diameter; timber etc. greenheart logs 50 from 30 to 36 ft long average 12 in by 12 in. All in prime condition.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
The loss of the pier seems to have had no effect on Portobello beach as an attraction. In fact, summer 1918 saw more people than ever turn up.
Crowds of holiday makers invaded Portobello during the season. The beach was crowded every day with visitors sitting out in armchairs, playing on the sands and strolling about.
So busy was it, that one enterprising proprietor set up a business hiring out deck chairs ( a business which carried on for the next forty years).
The fair ground amusements were very popular and a large number of the manual workers engaged in card playing and gambling. There were dancing parties on the sands and dancing pavilions on the Promenade were thronged at night.
Under good weather conditions the Portobello Promenade had a striking resemblance to such places as Blackpool during the height of their season.
Crowds of holiday makers invaded Portobello during the season. The beach was crowded every day with visitors sitting out in armchairs, playing on the sands and strolling about.
So busy was it, that one enterprising proprietor set up a business hiring out deck chairs ( a business which carried on for the next forty years).
The fair ground amusements were very popular and a large number of the manual workers engaged in card playing and gambling. There were dancing parties on the sands and dancing pavilions on the Promenade were thronged at night.
Under good weather conditions the Portobello Promenade had a striking resemblance to such places as Blackpool during the height of their season.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
By 1921 the annual visitor number continued to build and the Magistrates and Council of the City of Edinburgh were prepared to provide Bathing Machines at Portobello beach.
In typical bureaucratic fashion, however, it was stipulated that there would not be more than 20 machines and they would only be provided if suitable offers were received from people willing to hire them. Those people were invited to state the rents they were willing to pay, the number of years for which they were prepared to hire the bathing machines and the charges proposed to be made for the use thereof by the public.
It does not appear that there were many takers.
In typical bureaucratic fashion, however, it was stipulated that there would not be more than 20 machines and they would only be provided if suitable offers were received from people willing to hire them. Those people were invited to state the rents they were willing to pay, the number of years for which they were prepared to hire the bathing machines and the charges proposed to be made for the use thereof by the public.
It does not appear that there were many takers.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On 10 May 1921 four Musselburgh miners admitted at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to the theft of 2cwts of coal from the foreshore of the Firth of Forth between Joppa salt works and the Eastfield, Portobello.
The lawyer acting on behalf of the accused said that they did not think there was any harm in taking the coal because it had been the custom for years to gather cinders which had been washed up by the sea.
The men had discovered this outcrop of coal, which they considered was of no commercial value. It was between high and low water mark, and so thought that it was public property. They were working it quite openly when the police came on the scene.
In admonishing the men Sheriff MacLeod said that he had no doubt that they had fallen into this mistake through ignorance.
The lawyer acting on behalf of the accused said that they did not think there was any harm in taking the coal because it had been the custom for years to gather cinders which had been washed up by the sea.
The men had discovered this outcrop of coal, which they considered was of no commercial value. It was between high and low water mark, and so thought that it was public property. They were working it quite openly when the police came on the scene.
In admonishing the men Sheriff MacLeod said that he had no doubt that they had fallen into this mistake through ignorance.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
When William Cairns' eleven year old daughter Janet came home injured from the Promenade, he wanted to know why, and after he did, he decided to sue.
The case came up before the courts on 7 December 1921.
It appeared that while she was playing on the Prom, Janet had decided to go and explore the yard belonging to the paper making firm, John Galloway and Co. Ltd. Galloway's yard was a small piece of land adjacent to the Promenade at the foot of Bridge Street.
While she was in the yard, Janet unfortunately fell onto some material which was being burned there. Her father thought that Galloway owed compensation as the fire was an obvious danger to any child.
However, the Court found against him, judging that the yard was not a public place and that Janet, however unwittingly, was trespassing. Galloway were not liable and the case was dismissed.
The case came up before the courts on 7 December 1921.
It appeared that while she was playing on the Prom, Janet had decided to go and explore the yard belonging to the paper making firm, John Galloway and Co. Ltd. Galloway's yard was a small piece of land adjacent to the Promenade at the foot of Bridge Street.
While she was in the yard, Janet unfortunately fell onto some material which was being burned there. Her father thought that Galloway owed compensation as the fire was an obvious danger to any child.
However, the Court found against him, judging that the yard was not a public place and that Janet, however unwittingly, was trespassing. Galloway were not liable and the case was dismissed.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
About 11.30 a.m. on the morning of 8 April 1922, people walking along Portobello Promenade noticed an object swimming hard from the water’s edge out to sea.
At first, naturally, they thought it was a seal but on closer observation saw it was not. They knew it was not a dog and were greatly puzzled until one of them realised that it was a hare.
It continued to swim away from the shore at a great pace and when almost a hundred yards out it turned and made for the shore again, which it reached in an exhausted condition.
Two men ran down with to catch it but it had enough strength to turn and jump into the sea again and commenced swimming away.
One man however, went in after it and pulled it out. He and the other man were of the unanimous decision that if anything deserved its life, although it had apparently made up its mind to commit suicide, this hare did.
Accordingly they took it up to the fields off Brunstane Road and liberated it. It attempted to run but was completely exhausted and could barely move. The sun, however, soon dried it and by degrees it sat up in a more natural position.
After about twenty minutes it eventually bolted away, apparently none the worse for its adventure.
At first, naturally, they thought it was a seal but on closer observation saw it was not. They knew it was not a dog and were greatly puzzled until one of them realised that it was a hare.
It continued to swim away from the shore at a great pace and when almost a hundred yards out it turned and made for the shore again, which it reached in an exhausted condition.
Two men ran down with to catch it but it had enough strength to turn and jump into the sea again and commenced swimming away.
One man however, went in after it and pulled it out. He and the other man were of the unanimous decision that if anything deserved its life, although it had apparently made up its mind to commit suicide, this hare did.
Accordingly they took it up to the fields off Brunstane Road and liberated it. It attempted to run but was completely exhausted and could barely move. The sun, however, soon dried it and by degrees it sat up in a more natural position.
After about twenty minutes it eventually bolted away, apparently none the worse for its adventure.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On 15 July 1922 the eighteenth annual regatta of the Eastern Amateur Rowing Club was held off Portobello Promenade in bright, calm weather and on a sluggish sea.
On the card the chief item was the annual contest for the Scottish Jolly Boat Championship for the Portobello Challenge Cup and the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association gold medals.
The Royal West Amateur Rowing Club, who won the honour the year before, did not defend and the number of crews which turned out was much lower than in years past.
Dumbarton ARC made an easy win both in their heat and in the final.
On the card the chief item was the annual contest for the Scottish Jolly Boat Championship for the Portobello Challenge Cup and the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association gold medals.
The Royal West Amateur Rowing Club, who won the honour the year before, did not defend and the number of crews which turned out was much lower than in years past.
Dumbarton ARC made an easy win both in their heat and in the final.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On 7 August another prosecution took place in Portobello Police Court for breach of Edinburgh Corporation by laws by selling goods on Portobello beach.
An Edinburgh hawker, Annie Littlejohn of South Foulis Close, was fined half a crown for selling bananas.
An Edinburgh hawker, Annie Littlejohn of South Foulis Close, was fined half a crown for selling bananas.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Thomas Meikle and Fred Sykes lived at 11 High Street, Portobello.
Both were still at school and had found a good way to supplement their income: they would mingle with the summer crowds on the Promenade and pick pockets.
On a good day they could make two or three pounds. 2 September 1922, alone, saw them pick up £2 4s 9d.
Unfortunately for them, they were also picked up, by the local constabulary.
Having been caught in the act, both of them pleaded guilty and were sentenced to five strokes of the birch.
Both were still at school and had found a good way to supplement their income: they would mingle with the summer crowds on the Promenade and pick pockets.
On a good day they could make two or three pounds. 2 September 1922, alone, saw them pick up £2 4s 9d.
Unfortunately for them, they were also picked up, by the local constabulary.
Having been caught in the act, both of them pleaded guilty and were sentenced to five strokes of the birch.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Big things were on the cards in 1923.
On 4 April a public meeting heard that there were to be improvements on the foreshore. The Burgh Engineer had been instructed to examine the sewer pipes at both the west and the east ends of the beach when the tide was at low water and to extend the pipes as required to clear sewage from the foreshore.
The Streets and Buildings Committee were considering widening and extending the Promenade.
There was also talk of rebuilding the pier and constructing an open air bathing pond at Joppa. Aso under consideration was the bulding of a breakwater with a leg running west to afford safe anchorage for yachts and small craft and with a landing stage for pleasure steamers at its seaward end. In front of the Baths and the Bandstand were to be bathing coaches on the sands, provided by the Corporation and season tickets for the baths were to be reduced by one half of the amount added since 1914.
On 4 April a public meeting heard that there were to be improvements on the foreshore. The Burgh Engineer had been instructed to examine the sewer pipes at both the west and the east ends of the beach when the tide was at low water and to extend the pipes as required to clear sewage from the foreshore.
The Streets and Buildings Committee were considering widening and extending the Promenade.
There was also talk of rebuilding the pier and constructing an open air bathing pond at Joppa. Aso under consideration was the bulding of a breakwater with a leg running west to afford safe anchorage for yachts and small craft and with a landing stage for pleasure steamers at its seaward end. In front of the Baths and the Bandstand were to be bathing coaches on the sands, provided by the Corporation and season tickets for the baths were to be reduced by one half of the amount added since 1914.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
The issue of sand being removed from the beach returned during the April and the Town Clerk, Mr. Grierson, had some explaining to do.
Mr. Adam Millar raised with the council the fact that sand was still being removed from the beach. Mr. Douglas Elliot confirmed that he, too, had seen cart loads of sand being taken away. Both wanted to know what steps the council could take to stop the vandalism.
Mr. Grierson explained that the situation was not straightforward.
It was a long established fact that the beach was owned by those proprietors whose properties fronted on to it. Over a number of years the council had acquired those rights, with the exception of the stretch of beach in front of the Tower, which was owned by Mr. Graham Yool, the Manager of the Marine Gardens, and the stretch along the frontage of Fun City, which was owned by Messrs Wood Brothers, the bottle makers. The removal of sand in question was being undertaken by Messrs Wood for their business and, regrettably, they had a perfectly legal right to do so.
Representations from a meeting of Portobello ratepayers were remitted to the various committees concerned.
Mr. Adam Millar raised with the council the fact that sand was still being removed from the beach. Mr. Douglas Elliot confirmed that he, too, had seen cart loads of sand being taken away. Both wanted to know what steps the council could take to stop the vandalism.
Mr. Grierson explained that the situation was not straightforward.
It was a long established fact that the beach was owned by those proprietors whose properties fronted on to it. Over a number of years the council had acquired those rights, with the exception of the stretch of beach in front of the Tower, which was owned by Mr. Graham Yool, the Manager of the Marine Gardens, and the stretch along the frontage of Fun City, which was owned by Messrs Wood Brothers, the bottle makers. The removal of sand in question was being undertaken by Messrs Wood for their business and, regrettably, they had a perfectly legal right to do so.
Representations from a meeting of Portobello ratepayers were remitted to the various committees concerned.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
In early December proposals for the improvement of Portobello beach and promenade were put forward to a meeting of a sub committee of the Lord Provost’s Committee of Edinburgh Town Council.
The Sub- committee agreed to recommend the erection of two portable tents for the use of bathers during the summer months and also that a paid ranger for the beach be appointed.
A further proposal was that the Council should provide a shelter and a new bandstand at 16 Promenade and to acquire for this purpose part of the garden ground at that address.
The Sub- committee agreed to recommend the erection of two portable tents for the use of bathers during the summer months and also that a paid ranger for the beach be appointed.
A further proposal was that the Council should provide a shelter and a new bandstand at 16 Promenade and to acquire for this purpose part of the garden ground at that address.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
By 1924 unemployment in the Edinburgh area had become so great that the Corporation set up a special committee to deal with it.
Among the projects devised to give men employment was a new sewer from Portobello to Seafield and extension of the Promenade at a cost of £43,000.
The sewer scheme also meant the cleaning of the Portobello beach.
However, not everyone was happy. Cllr. Baxter, who moved disapproval, said if this scheme was going to cure the evil that was complained of he would be the last to oppose the scheme. In his view, however, the scheme as proposed was going against the laws of nature. The sewer was really going up hill. If they wanted to clean Portobello beach they should extend their pipe eastward.
Cllr. Mancor thought that the scheme for the extension of the promenade was simply brought forward to divert attention from the actual cost of the sewer. This scheme was just going to transfer an evil from Portobello to Leith. He thought the Corporation ought to get information about the currents in the sea in this area. Sewage matter ought to be carried well out to sea clear of the shore. Cllr. Dees, responded that with regard to the effect of the currents on outlet sewers, the engineers usually satisfied themselves with regard to these currents. He had no fear that this had not been done.
Cllr. Hay said the engineers had gone into the question of currents. Eastward the water was shallow. It was found that at Seafield they had a depth of water between high tide and low tide of 16 feet. It would be a great misfortune if this scheme were sent back, as work for unemployed was wanted at once.
Cllr. Robertson said this was work for the unemployed and where the committee were unanimous in the desirability of the scheme the Council ought to accept that. Had the two schemes been done separately they would have cost more.
It was eventually agreed to recommend the scheme in order that application might be made for a Government grant.
Among the projects devised to give men employment was a new sewer from Portobello to Seafield and extension of the Promenade at a cost of £43,000.
The sewer scheme also meant the cleaning of the Portobello beach.
However, not everyone was happy. Cllr. Baxter, who moved disapproval, said if this scheme was going to cure the evil that was complained of he would be the last to oppose the scheme. In his view, however, the scheme as proposed was going against the laws of nature. The sewer was really going up hill. If they wanted to clean Portobello beach they should extend their pipe eastward.
Cllr. Mancor thought that the scheme for the extension of the promenade was simply brought forward to divert attention from the actual cost of the sewer. This scheme was just going to transfer an evil from Portobello to Leith. He thought the Corporation ought to get information about the currents in the sea in this area. Sewage matter ought to be carried well out to sea clear of the shore. Cllr. Dees, responded that with regard to the effect of the currents on outlet sewers, the engineers usually satisfied themselves with regard to these currents. He had no fear that this had not been done.
Cllr. Hay said the engineers had gone into the question of currents. Eastward the water was shallow. It was found that at Seafield they had a depth of water between high tide and low tide of 16 feet. It would be a great misfortune if this scheme were sent back, as work for unemployed was wanted at once.
Cllr. Robertson said this was work for the unemployed and where the committee were unanimous in the desirability of the scheme the Council ought to accept that. Had the two schemes been done separately they would have cost more.
It was eventually agreed to recommend the scheme in order that application might be made for a Government grant.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
It's unlikely that questions about the sewers bothered the pleasure seekers who flocked to the beach each weekend.
Even under the grey sky which prevailed on 28 April it was still a favourite resort to spend the one day holiday.
This was evidenced by the large number of day trippers who enjoyed the freedom from business which the Spring holiday afforded them.
There were many family parties to be seen enjoying an alfresco tea on the spacious sands and the smoke of the fires contributed appreciably to the atmosphere and spirit of holiday.
Young and old alike were alive to the various entertainments the enterprising showmen had provided and there was a splash of colour in the Fun City from the scenic railway, roundabout and swings, to the dark skinned ladies who for a small fee gave a delineation of character.
Others, again, found the tonic they desired in a calm and possibly philosophic survey of the sea, or perhaps the antics of the children gambolling on the sands or enjoying cheap rides on diminutive ponies.
The promenade and sands certainly presented an animated appearance and it was evident that what the holidaymakers, one and all, lost upon the roundabouts they made up for on the swings.
Even under the grey sky which prevailed on 28 April it was still a favourite resort to spend the one day holiday.
This was evidenced by the large number of day trippers who enjoyed the freedom from business which the Spring holiday afforded them.
There were many family parties to be seen enjoying an alfresco tea on the spacious sands and the smoke of the fires contributed appreciably to the atmosphere and spirit of holiday.
Young and old alike were alive to the various entertainments the enterprising showmen had provided and there was a splash of colour in the Fun City from the scenic railway, roundabout and swings, to the dark skinned ladies who for a small fee gave a delineation of character.
Others, again, found the tonic they desired in a calm and possibly philosophic survey of the sea, or perhaps the antics of the children gambolling on the sands or enjoying cheap rides on diminutive ponies.
The promenade and sands certainly presented an animated appearance and it was evident that what the holidaymakers, one and all, lost upon the roundabouts they made up for on the swings.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
And so it carried on throughout the twenties.
In 1926 it was reported that thousands of people found their way to the sands at Portobello.
The weather was ideal, the sea as blue as the sky above, the grey coastline hanging like a mirage in the distance.
Yellow rowing boats plied to and fro and here and there a motor launch and further out to sea a steamer ploughed its way to ports unknown. Bronzed boatmen stood by their miniature piers, inviting custom.
Mothers, for the most part, were in complacent mood. Fathers mostly slept. It was so hot that the skimpiest of bathing dress or shorts sufficed. The youngest dispensed with anything at all.
Dogs of all sorts and sizes ran and barked and leapt in the water after stones.
There were the ponies and the donkeys. Rides cost a penny a piece.
There the delights of the merry go rounds, the ice cream shops and soda fountains.
Jazz music blared forth from one window, clashing with the jingling concertina on the beach and every niche of space seemed occupied by tents, deckchairs, half finished castles and uncounted picnic parties.
In 1926 it was reported that thousands of people found their way to the sands at Portobello.
The weather was ideal, the sea as blue as the sky above, the grey coastline hanging like a mirage in the distance.
Yellow rowing boats plied to and fro and here and there a motor launch and further out to sea a steamer ploughed its way to ports unknown. Bronzed boatmen stood by their miniature piers, inviting custom.
Mothers, for the most part, were in complacent mood. Fathers mostly slept. It was so hot that the skimpiest of bathing dress or shorts sufficed. The youngest dispensed with anything at all.
Dogs of all sorts and sizes ran and barked and leapt in the water after stones.
There were the ponies and the donkeys. Rides cost a penny a piece.
There the delights of the merry go rounds, the ice cream shops and soda fountains.
Jazz music blared forth from one window, clashing with the jingling concertina on the beach and every niche of space seemed occupied by tents, deckchairs, half finished castles and uncounted picnic parties.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
On 14 July 1926 the Lord Provost officially opened the western extension of the Promenade and the diversion of the Pipe Street outfall sewer.
As he pointed out in his speech, the amenity of the foreshore would be greatly enhanced by the diversion of the Pipe Street outfall sewer and the western extension of Portobello Promenade would link up the seashore walk from Leith docks with the old Promenade, giving a continuous walk along the sea front of three and three quarter miles.
The Councillors who were present during the proceedings received unmistakable proof of the popularity of the beach: Great crowds of visitors lay about on the shore in the brilliant sunshine enjoying the cooling breeze which came on from the sea, and there were hundreds of bathers and paddlers in the water.
In the past the Pipe Street sewer had poured forth volumes of foul matter on to the beach. The scheme to improve the drainage had been before the Town Council since the year 1905 and powers were obtained from Parliament in 1906 to construct a new sewer, but lay dormant until 1924, when the matter was taken up seriously by the Streets and Buildings Committee and a Government grant was obtained which allowed the work to proceed.
The original sewer was constructed in 1859 and was 20 inches in diameter and 250 yards long. The total length of the new sewer, was 2062 yards. Of this 369 yards at the Seafield end were of iron, 30 inches in diameter. 1360 yards was 6ft by 4ft wide egg shaped concrete and 333 yards of three feet diameter concrete tubes. The large 6 ft by 4 ft portion was to act as a tank in which the sewage would be held in suspension when the tide was in and would automatically empty as the tide receded into the deep waters of the Forth. The gradient of the new sewer was 1 in 600.
The work had been of a very difficult and trying nature, owing to the tidal waters and had been carried out by the firm of Messrs Bain and Brown, at a cost of between £50,000 and £60,000.
The surface, which was initially only of ashes for the moment, would, after consolidation, be laid with something of a permanent nature. There was now a continuous walk along the sea front from Leith docks to Magdalene Bridge, a distance of three and three quarter miles. It was a great asset to the city.
As he pointed out in his speech, the amenity of the foreshore would be greatly enhanced by the diversion of the Pipe Street outfall sewer and the western extension of Portobello Promenade would link up the seashore walk from Leith docks with the old Promenade, giving a continuous walk along the sea front of three and three quarter miles.
The Councillors who were present during the proceedings received unmistakable proof of the popularity of the beach: Great crowds of visitors lay about on the shore in the brilliant sunshine enjoying the cooling breeze which came on from the sea, and there were hundreds of bathers and paddlers in the water.
In the past the Pipe Street sewer had poured forth volumes of foul matter on to the beach. The scheme to improve the drainage had been before the Town Council since the year 1905 and powers were obtained from Parliament in 1906 to construct a new sewer, but lay dormant until 1924, when the matter was taken up seriously by the Streets and Buildings Committee and a Government grant was obtained which allowed the work to proceed.
The original sewer was constructed in 1859 and was 20 inches in diameter and 250 yards long. The total length of the new sewer, was 2062 yards. Of this 369 yards at the Seafield end were of iron, 30 inches in diameter. 1360 yards was 6ft by 4ft wide egg shaped concrete and 333 yards of three feet diameter concrete tubes. The large 6 ft by 4 ft portion was to act as a tank in which the sewage would be held in suspension when the tide was in and would automatically empty as the tide receded into the deep waters of the Forth. The gradient of the new sewer was 1 in 600.
The work had been of a very difficult and trying nature, owing to the tidal waters and had been carried out by the firm of Messrs Bain and Brown, at a cost of between £50,000 and £60,000.
The surface, which was initially only of ashes for the moment, would, after consolidation, be laid with something of a permanent nature. There was now a continuous walk along the sea front from Leith docks to Magdalene Bridge, a distance of three and three quarter miles. It was a great asset to the city.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
October 1926 saw heavy gales and considerable damage was done at Portobello where about 150 yards of the old Promenade was partly destroyed by the sea.
Wind, rain, hail and a foaming sea drove themselves against the south side of the Firth of Forth, rising to a fury in the late afternoon. All day the Firth was flecked from shore to shore with the flying white horses and in the afternoon, when the tide was coming to its height, great waves flung themselves fifteen and twenty feet high against the Promenade.
At Eastfield houses on the front were flooded and in one case a house roof was damaged by the high seas and flying pebbles.
In the late afternoon a tramcar was forced from the rails at Eastfield by the combined action of wind and flying foam, aided by the silting of the line. The Traction Company immediately dispatched their breakdown motor haulage waggon to the scene but the motor also broke down owing, it is stated, to the onslaught of a big wave. Eventually the daqmaged tramcar, which had completely left the line, was returned to the rails and the service was restored.
When the tide was at its height about 150 yards of the concrete between Joppa and the centre of the town gave way.
Later in the evening, although the worst fury of the storm seemed to be past, the breakers sent wide carpets of foam spreading up the beach to within a few feet of the Promenade. A ceaseless monotonous roar came from the sea. At one point a big portion of the concrete sea front, about ten or fifteen feet in width and some sixty feet in length collapsed. A street gas lamp which had been embedded on the outer edge was hanging out over the beach at a rakish angle.
The greater part of the damage was not quite so extensive and was shown by a long chasm about six inches in width appearing between the pavement and the coping at the edge on which the street lamps were placed, this edge, about two feet thick, having parted company from the main walking way. The pavement all along was littered with pebbles and small boulders thrown up by the waves.
Notwithstanding that a high wind and hail was driving in from the north, a number of pedestrians were to be seen here and there watching the roaring sea and inspecting the damage.
Wind, rain, hail and a foaming sea drove themselves against the south side of the Firth of Forth, rising to a fury in the late afternoon. All day the Firth was flecked from shore to shore with the flying white horses and in the afternoon, when the tide was coming to its height, great waves flung themselves fifteen and twenty feet high against the Promenade.
At Eastfield houses on the front were flooded and in one case a house roof was damaged by the high seas and flying pebbles.
In the late afternoon a tramcar was forced from the rails at Eastfield by the combined action of wind and flying foam, aided by the silting of the line. The Traction Company immediately dispatched their breakdown motor haulage waggon to the scene but the motor also broke down owing, it is stated, to the onslaught of a big wave. Eventually the daqmaged tramcar, which had completely left the line, was returned to the rails and the service was restored.
When the tide was at its height about 150 yards of the concrete between Joppa and the centre of the town gave way.
Later in the evening, although the worst fury of the storm seemed to be past, the breakers sent wide carpets of foam spreading up the beach to within a few feet of the Promenade. A ceaseless monotonous roar came from the sea. At one point a big portion of the concrete sea front, about ten or fifteen feet in width and some sixty feet in length collapsed. A street gas lamp which had been embedded on the outer edge was hanging out over the beach at a rakish angle.
The greater part of the damage was not quite so extensive and was shown by a long chasm about six inches in width appearing between the pavement and the coping at the edge on which the street lamps were placed, this edge, about two feet thick, having parted company from the main walking way. The pavement all along was littered with pebbles and small boulders thrown up by the waves.
Notwithstanding that a high wind and hail was driving in from the north, a number of pedestrians were to be seen here and there watching the roaring sea and inspecting the damage.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
1927 saw another attempt to rebuild the pier.
This time it was a project in conjunction with the Portobello Electricity Generating station.
The Power Station required a series of pipes to be laid out into the sea at a point about 500 yards north eastwards from the retaining wall of the Promenade opposite the east side of Rosebank Lane. The idea was to contain these within the structure of the new pier, to be constructed out of ferro-concrete.
It was proposed that the pier gangway should be 1500 feet long and 25 feet wide and that the pier head should be 120 feet long by 75 feet wide. The pier head would be large enough to take steamers of the ordinary passenger type. There would be room on the pier head for a hall or other offices should these be required. On the pier itself it was intended to construct and maintain pavilions, saloons, concert rooms, shops, kiosks, shelters and swimming baths.
The cost was estimated at £50,000. 75 % of that would be borne by the Electricity Company and the remainder (about £20,000) by the rates.
However, by January 1928 the estimate had risen to £90,000 and the scheme was scrapped.
This time it was a project in conjunction with the Portobello Electricity Generating station.
The Power Station required a series of pipes to be laid out into the sea at a point about 500 yards north eastwards from the retaining wall of the Promenade opposite the east side of Rosebank Lane. The idea was to contain these within the structure of the new pier, to be constructed out of ferro-concrete.
It was proposed that the pier gangway should be 1500 feet long and 25 feet wide and that the pier head should be 120 feet long by 75 feet wide. The pier head would be large enough to take steamers of the ordinary passenger type. There would be room on the pier head for a hall or other offices should these be required. On the pier itself it was intended to construct and maintain pavilions, saloons, concert rooms, shops, kiosks, shelters and swimming baths.
The cost was estimated at £50,000. 75 % of that would be borne by the Electricity Company and the remainder (about £20,000) by the rates.
However, by January 1928 the estimate had risen to £90,000 and the scheme was scrapped.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
1927 also saw the Corporation trying to find work for the unemployed. This time they turned their attention to the stretch of beach west of Kings Road.
Here there were thousands of boulders, big and small, which served to break up the beach. It was quite well known that a stone, or any obstruction, tended to make the sea suck away the sand. That action went on until the stone was left high and dry. Where there were a great many stones, the effect was to eventually clear away the sand.
It was thought that a good scheme for the unemployed would be to give them work cleaning away these boulders. It would certainly cost a bit more than the dole but whereas the Corporation got nothing for the one, they should get a good stretch of beach as the result of this work.
The question arose as to the best method of disposing of the boulders.
They might break them for road bottoming, dig holes in the beach and bury them, construct boating and bathing slipways or construct a rough rubble wall.
In regard to the cost of these various methods of beach clearance, it was clearly impossible to give even an approximate figure. The cost of breaking similar stones had been found to be about 4s per ton and a one day experiment on Portobello beach showed a cost of 2s 6d per yard for clearing quite a small area.
Unless some useful and remunerative purpose was to be achieved, the gathering and disposing of boulders would be a costly business: The Corporation did not proceed with the project.
Here there were thousands of boulders, big and small, which served to break up the beach. It was quite well known that a stone, or any obstruction, tended to make the sea suck away the sand. That action went on until the stone was left high and dry. Where there were a great many stones, the effect was to eventually clear away the sand.
It was thought that a good scheme for the unemployed would be to give them work cleaning away these boulders. It would certainly cost a bit more than the dole but whereas the Corporation got nothing for the one, they should get a good stretch of beach as the result of this work.
The question arose as to the best method of disposing of the boulders.
They might break them for road bottoming, dig holes in the beach and bury them, construct boating and bathing slipways or construct a rough rubble wall.
In regard to the cost of these various methods of beach clearance, it was clearly impossible to give even an approximate figure. The cost of breaking similar stones had been found to be about 4s per ton and a one day experiment on Portobello beach showed a cost of 2s 6d per yard for clearing quite a small area.
Unless some useful and remunerative purpose was to be achieved, the gathering and disposing of boulders would be a costly business: The Corporation did not proceed with the project.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
27 December 1927 saw yet another storm damage the Promenade.
About 150 yards of the sea wall was undermined by the action of the waves and so badly damaged that it would have to be demolished and rebuilt.
The pavement had fallen in in some places and there was a wide crevice in it where the supporting beach had been washed away.
The damage was divided into two portions, one being between John Street and James Street and the other near Hamilton Street.
A gradual deepening of the foreshore at the Promenade was believed to be one of the causes of the damage.
The heavy seas invariably scooped a considerable quantity of sand and gravel out of the beach. This resulted in the sea wall being undermined and though much of the matter removed by the sea was returned, that did not undo the damage done to the wall.
The commercial removal of sand had not helped either. 40 or 50 years before there was only a matter of a few inches from the top of the wall to the beach. Now the height was about seven feet.
In order to safeguard the wall the Burgh Engineer had been underpinning the foundations. Where this had been accomplished the result had been satisfactory and it was in the parts that were not underpinned that the wall was damaged.
About 150 yards of the sea wall was undermined by the action of the waves and so badly damaged that it would have to be demolished and rebuilt.
The pavement had fallen in in some places and there was a wide crevice in it where the supporting beach had been washed away.
The damage was divided into two portions, one being between John Street and James Street and the other near Hamilton Street.
A gradual deepening of the foreshore at the Promenade was believed to be one of the causes of the damage.
The heavy seas invariably scooped a considerable quantity of sand and gravel out of the beach. This resulted in the sea wall being undermined and though much of the matter removed by the sea was returned, that did not undo the damage done to the wall.
The commercial removal of sand had not helped either. 40 or 50 years before there was only a matter of a few inches from the top of the wall to the beach. Now the height was about seven feet.
In order to safeguard the wall the Burgh Engineer had been underpinning the foundations. Where this had been accomplished the result had been satisfactory and it was in the parts that were not underpinned that the wall was damaged.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Work to repair the Promenade commenced in May 1928.
However, the work was not without controversy.
People complained that while improving the Promenade, they were actually damaging the beach. On every lampost along the Promenade there was a notice forbidding the removal of sand from the beach, yet the Corporation were transgressing this in the most barefaced manner.
In digging out material to prepare for the foundations of the new sea wall they lifted tons of sand and deposited it within the sea wall as material to support the cement walk of the promenade. Thus a great chance of improving the shore by placing those tons of sand upon it was lost and the sand lost with it.
The Corporation took the opportunity to reinforce and underpin the foundations of the Prom and to widen it. It was also completely resurfaced in granolithic paving.
While the work was going on, the bandstand was relocated to Abercorn park.
However, the work was not without controversy.
People complained that while improving the Promenade, they were actually damaging the beach. On every lampost along the Promenade there was a notice forbidding the removal of sand from the beach, yet the Corporation were transgressing this in the most barefaced manner.
In digging out material to prepare for the foundations of the new sea wall they lifted tons of sand and deposited it within the sea wall as material to support the cement walk of the promenade. Thus a great chance of improving the shore by placing those tons of sand upon it was lost and the sand lost with it.
The Corporation took the opportunity to reinforce and underpin the foundations of the Prom and to widen it. It was also completely resurfaced in granolithic paving.
While the work was going on, the bandstand was relocated to Abercorn park.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
The work on the Promenade also re-opened the debate about removing the boulders from Seafield.
Professor Jehu from University of Edinburgh, said it was quite impossile to foretell what would happen if the boulders were removed to any large extent. From the point of view of the amenities, there would be a great improvement in the foreshore provided the boulders were replaced by an accumulation of sand brought in from below low water mark and not from the adjoining portions of the beach.
He suggested that as an experiment the removal of the boulders should be carried out on the portion of the foreshore between the slipway at Kings Road and the slipway west of the Marine Gardens dance hall. If this were done it should be carried out under the careful supervision of the burgh engineer, who could put a stop to the work if there were any signs of impoverishment of the beach at that place or anywhere else within the area. After such removal the work should be stopped for a considerable time so that observations could be made as to whether or not an adequate supply of sand was being brought in from below low water mark to promote a healthy condition of the beach.
It was recommended that a wall of boulders should be formed from the promenade to low water mark in the form of a groin, to gather the travelling sand and retain it. This should also be useful as a slipway for bathing, boating etc.
On 5 July The Lord Provost’s Committee recommended that as an experiment an arrangement should be made for the removal by unemployed men of the boulders from the portion of the foreshore extending from Kings Road slipway at Portobello beach to the slipway west of the ballroom and the construction by those men of a groyne from the promenade to low water mark.
The Distress Committee intimated that they would be prepared, in the first instance, to make good any deficit on the work up to the figure of, say, £1000 and it was understood that the Parish Council would pay a sum equal to the relief that would have paid to the men engaged on the work.
By August, the work was well underway and Archibald Campbell, the clerk to the Distress Committee was advertising excellent quality road bottoming for sale.
Professor Jehu from University of Edinburgh, said it was quite impossile to foretell what would happen if the boulders were removed to any large extent. From the point of view of the amenities, there would be a great improvement in the foreshore provided the boulders were replaced by an accumulation of sand brought in from below low water mark and not from the adjoining portions of the beach.
He suggested that as an experiment the removal of the boulders should be carried out on the portion of the foreshore between the slipway at Kings Road and the slipway west of the Marine Gardens dance hall. If this were done it should be carried out under the careful supervision of the burgh engineer, who could put a stop to the work if there were any signs of impoverishment of the beach at that place or anywhere else within the area. After such removal the work should be stopped for a considerable time so that observations could be made as to whether or not an adequate supply of sand was being brought in from below low water mark to promote a healthy condition of the beach.
It was recommended that a wall of boulders should be formed from the promenade to low water mark in the form of a groin, to gather the travelling sand and retain it. This should also be useful as a slipway for bathing, boating etc.
On 5 July The Lord Provost’s Committee recommended that as an experiment an arrangement should be made for the removal by unemployed men of the boulders from the portion of the foreshore extending from Kings Road slipway at Portobello beach to the slipway west of the ballroom and the construction by those men of a groyne from the promenade to low water mark.
The Distress Committee intimated that they would be prepared, in the first instance, to make good any deficit on the work up to the figure of, say, £1000 and it was understood that the Parish Council would pay a sum equal to the relief that would have paid to the men engaged on the work.
By August, the work was well underway and Archibald Campbell, the clerk to the Distress Committee was advertising excellent quality road bottoming for sale.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
And it re-opened the debate about the removal of sand from the beach.
Some people pinned the blame on the owners of the bottle works and the need to stop them continually carting away the sand every week day. The remedy, they thought, was simply to prohibit the carting.
However the parties who removed the sand claimed a legal right to do so. The bottle works ownned the small property formerly known as Harbour Green adjoining the shore, and could claim, in connection with that property the, ownership of the foreshore in front of it and the right to remove the sand.
The part from which the sand was removed quickly filled up again with sand swept in by the tide from the remainder of the foreshore which the Corporation of Edinburgh held on lease from the Crown and which was now showing more stones than sand.
The Corporation had apparently arrived at the conclusion that they could not prevent the removal of the sand from the small part referred to.
It was pointed out, however, that if they could not do that, they could at least prevent the sand from the remainder of the foreshore filling into it. This could be done by constructing a wooden groin from high to low water mark on each side of the part from which the sand was removed. This could be done at very small expense and the carting of the sand would stop when there was no sand left within the area.
Not everyone agreed that the problem lay with the bottle works,but blamed it on the extension of Leith docks.
They pointed out that sand consists of rock or stone pulverised by the action of sea, rivers, wind, rain and frost. Sand was being constantly deposited on some parts of the coast and in other parts it was being carried away, according to the drift or current of the sea and the strength of the wind.
On the east coasts of Scotland and England the drift or current causing the movement of the sand was, roughly stated, from north to south, but in estuaries like the Forth and Tay, the movement was nearly from west to east, as was also the prevailing wind.
The beach at Portobello, within living memory, was at one time very much like those that could be seen in the neighbourhood of Longniddry, Aberlady and Gullane, but the extension of Leith Docks and pier and the laying down of large sewage pipes all to the west of Portobello bay, obstructed the free movement eastwards of the silt and sand and were bound to have had some effect on the present aspect of the beach.
Others held that the main change had been the construction of the promenade close up to high water mark, so close indeed that in high tides with wind the waves broke over it. Where there are cliffs, rocks or breakwaters against which the sea breaks only at high water, there is little or no sand exposed when the tide recedes: shingle and boulders are mostly seen.
This was what was taking place at Portobello owing to the promenade. At certain high tides, accompanied with certain high winds, the waves beat against the face of the promenade, which acted as a sea wall, and their backwash carried away the sand and exposed the underlying shingle.
Whatever the merits of the various arguments, as on previous occasions, nothing was done, and the sand continued to be removed from the beach.
Some people pinned the blame on the owners of the bottle works and the need to stop them continually carting away the sand every week day. The remedy, they thought, was simply to prohibit the carting.
However the parties who removed the sand claimed a legal right to do so. The bottle works ownned the small property formerly known as Harbour Green adjoining the shore, and could claim, in connection with that property the, ownership of the foreshore in front of it and the right to remove the sand.
The part from which the sand was removed quickly filled up again with sand swept in by the tide from the remainder of the foreshore which the Corporation of Edinburgh held on lease from the Crown and which was now showing more stones than sand.
The Corporation had apparently arrived at the conclusion that they could not prevent the removal of the sand from the small part referred to.
It was pointed out, however, that if they could not do that, they could at least prevent the sand from the remainder of the foreshore filling into it. This could be done by constructing a wooden groin from high to low water mark on each side of the part from which the sand was removed. This could be done at very small expense and the carting of the sand would stop when there was no sand left within the area.
Not everyone agreed that the problem lay with the bottle works,but blamed it on the extension of Leith docks.
They pointed out that sand consists of rock or stone pulverised by the action of sea, rivers, wind, rain and frost. Sand was being constantly deposited on some parts of the coast and in other parts it was being carried away, according to the drift or current of the sea and the strength of the wind.
On the east coasts of Scotland and England the drift or current causing the movement of the sand was, roughly stated, from north to south, but in estuaries like the Forth and Tay, the movement was nearly from west to east, as was also the prevailing wind.
The beach at Portobello, within living memory, was at one time very much like those that could be seen in the neighbourhood of Longniddry, Aberlady and Gullane, but the extension of Leith Docks and pier and the laying down of large sewage pipes all to the west of Portobello bay, obstructed the free movement eastwards of the silt and sand and were bound to have had some effect on the present aspect of the beach.
Others held that the main change had been the construction of the promenade close up to high water mark, so close indeed that in high tides with wind the waves broke over it. Where there are cliffs, rocks or breakwaters against which the sea breaks only at high water, there is little or no sand exposed when the tide recedes: shingle and boulders are mostly seen.
This was what was taking place at Portobello owing to the promenade. At certain high tides, accompanied with certain high winds, the waves beat against the face of the promenade, which acted as a sea wall, and their backwash carried away the sand and exposed the underlying shingle.
Whatever the merits of the various arguments, as on previous occasions, nothing was done, and the sand continued to be removed from the beach.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
Sand or no sand people continued to flock to Portobello beach in the summertime.
16 July 1929 was typical:
The reporter from the Scotsman could not estimate exactly how many families were on the shores of the Forth that day.
Portobello beach, during the forenoon and afternoon was scarcely visible for them. From end to end were countless deckchairs and mother, fathers, babies, small boys and girls and grown up boys and girls. It was a vast army.
In the heat of the day, 78 degrees in the shade (of which there was none) and 125 degrees in the sun (of which there was plenty), they chattered and laughed and sang and bathed and paddled or sat and sewed or talked or mused or slept or did nothing at all.
Beyond them shimmered the Firth of Forth and the open sea, with white waves breaking in the middle distance. Among the waves there danced scores of little naked children, wet and glistening, some of them tanned by longer acquaintance with the sun’s rays, so that they had the bodies of little Indians.
A more picturesque sight, because it was stranger, was the appearance of three nuns sitting in three deckchairs side by side, facing the sea, at the north west end of Portobello beach, while the girls who were in their charge sat nearby on the sand. There was the fascination of unexpectedness in the picture of the three white breton hats shining in the sunlight.
During the afternoon the crowds were given a thrill by a very short but daring display of flying by an airman who came from the north and flew down towards North Berwick, then returned later and repeated his performance in passing. On each occassion the aeroplane swooped low down over the sea water, racing along just a hundred feet up or so, close to the shore, and then performed a series of slow rolls, the silver underside of its wings gleaming brightly in the sunlight as it turned over on its back.
16 July 1929 was typical:
The reporter from the Scotsman could not estimate exactly how many families were on the shores of the Forth that day.
Portobello beach, during the forenoon and afternoon was scarcely visible for them. From end to end were countless deckchairs and mother, fathers, babies, small boys and girls and grown up boys and girls. It was a vast army.
In the heat of the day, 78 degrees in the shade (of which there was none) and 125 degrees in the sun (of which there was plenty), they chattered and laughed and sang and bathed and paddled or sat and sewed or talked or mused or slept or did nothing at all.
Beyond them shimmered the Firth of Forth and the open sea, with white waves breaking in the middle distance. Among the waves there danced scores of little naked children, wet and glistening, some of them tanned by longer acquaintance with the sun’s rays, so that they had the bodies of little Indians.
A more picturesque sight, because it was stranger, was the appearance of three nuns sitting in three deckchairs side by side, facing the sea, at the north west end of Portobello beach, while the girls who were in their charge sat nearby on the sand. There was the fascination of unexpectedness in the picture of the three white breton hats shining in the sunlight.
During the afternoon the crowds were given a thrill by a very short but daring display of flying by an airman who came from the north and flew down towards North Berwick, then returned later and repeated his performance in passing. On each occassion the aeroplane swooped low down over the sea water, racing along just a hundred feet up or so, close to the shore, and then performed a series of slow rolls, the silver underside of its wings gleaming brightly in the sunlight as it turned over on its back.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.
And so it continued.How many chose to celebrate the 1930Glasgow Fair holiday on Portobello beach it would be impossible to say, but the scenes at the weekend suggested that they were not few.
People swarmed all along the front and all over the beach and piled into the sea.
The good ship Rose, among others, took out load after load of trippers from the tiny landing stage.
A good many boys and girls were riding astride a pont or a donkey across golden sands. The fare was only a penny and the pace was slow. Youngsters with plenty of pennies travelled time and again.
In spite of the din, the jostling to and fro of human beings, the barking of the dogs and the shouts of the showmen, there was a deep and satisfying peace down there on the sands, where the deck chairs were hired out at threepence per three hours. Here at last amid the flotsam and jetsam of picnic parties, bathing suits, half made sand castles and the like was a comfortable chair in which one might sit undisturbed for three hours content in the knowledge that the family were safely enjoying themselves and that no further parental effort meantime was required.
Laughing children ran to and from the waves to paddle, danced impromptu dances on the shore, quarelled over the castle building and the sand pies in the old time honoured way. Two giggling girls had had their fortune told by the ‘only real gipsy’ in Portobello.
At one open air stall an oriental gentleman was introducing his native bazaar element. He held up a ravishing blue silk dress to the eyes of a stout lady in which he discerned a possible purchaser.
A few yards further on, past the shops where the toys, tin pails, wooden spades and japanese umbrellas drew the children like a magnet, were fishwives selling mussels by the saucer. Trade was brisk and customers were rapidly served. Each saucer, as it was emptied, was wiped on a cloth and refilled. The spoon, obviously, required no wiping. Buckies or winkles had to be skilfully negotiated. They were still in their shells.
In the afternoon, grey clouds that shrouded the coast of Fife were spreading over the sky. Berwick Law was not as clear as it had been. The air grew cold and the waves broke without sparkle on the beach. The mothers in the chairs began to stir and to disentangle jerseys, teapots, cups and babies from the general confusion.
Tramload after tramload travelled westward to the city and the evening shows and entertainments now lighted up and, drawing queues, came into to their own.
People swarmed all along the front and all over the beach and piled into the sea.
The good ship Rose, among others, took out load after load of trippers from the tiny landing stage.
A good many boys and girls were riding astride a pont or a donkey across golden sands. The fare was only a penny and the pace was slow. Youngsters with plenty of pennies travelled time and again.
In spite of the din, the jostling to and fro of human beings, the barking of the dogs and the shouts of the showmen, there was a deep and satisfying peace down there on the sands, where the deck chairs were hired out at threepence per three hours. Here at last amid the flotsam and jetsam of picnic parties, bathing suits, half made sand castles and the like was a comfortable chair in which one might sit undisturbed for three hours content in the knowledge that the family were safely enjoying themselves and that no further parental effort meantime was required.
Laughing children ran to and from the waves to paddle, danced impromptu dances on the shore, quarelled over the castle building and the sand pies in the old time honoured way. Two giggling girls had had their fortune told by the ‘only real gipsy’ in Portobello.
At one open air stall an oriental gentleman was introducing his native bazaar element. He held up a ravishing blue silk dress to the eyes of a stout lady in which he discerned a possible purchaser.
A few yards further on, past the shops where the toys, tin pails, wooden spades and japanese umbrellas drew the children like a magnet, were fishwives selling mussels by the saucer. Trade was brisk and customers were rapidly served. Each saucer, as it was emptied, was wiped on a cloth and refilled. The spoon, obviously, required no wiping. Buckies or winkles had to be skilfully negotiated. They were still in their shells.
In the afternoon, grey clouds that shrouded the coast of Fife were spreading over the sky. Berwick Law was not as clear as it had been. The air grew cold and the waves broke without sparkle on the beach. The mothers in the chairs began to stir and to disentangle jerseys, teapots, cups and babies from the general confusion.
Tramload after tramload travelled westward to the city and the evening shows and entertainments now lighted up and, drawing queues, came into to their own.
I have nothing to say and I'm going to say it.