Portobello Edinburgh Scotland a Walkabout 08

One of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets is the once 18th century village of Portobello.

The original name for the moorlands that lay east of... more

by Douglas Brown

Title

Portobello Edinburgh Scotland a Walkabout 08

Artist

Douglas Brown

Medium

Photograph - Landscape Photography

Description

One of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets is the once 18th century village of Portobello.

The original name for the moorlands that lay east of Edinburgh where originally known as the Figgate Muir and the name Portobello was first used in the mid 18th century by a seaman called George Hamilton who had served under Admiral Edward Vernon in the capture of Puerto Bello in Panama. George built a cottage near to what is Brighton Place which itself is named after the coastal city of Brighton on the south coast of England.

In the 18th century Portobello was now known as the figgate whins and later in 1896 Portobello was incorporated in to Edinburgh by an act of Parliament.

The rest is history as they say and Portobello became an important producer of Portobello Bricks, Lead, Glass, Paper, Soap and the Earthenware Pottery Factory dated back to the mid 18th century as nearby where a bed of clay pits.

Portobello is also for me a huge part of not only my family history, but i still frequent Portobello for a lot of my needs.

My mother, grandfather, great grandfather and his father where all born in Portobello, my mother and grandfather being born close to the George Hamilton Cottage that gave its name to what is now Edinburgh’s must visit places, the original cottage was called Portobello Hut and was known later as the Shepards Ha’ as it was later used as a hostelry for seaman and travellers.

I hope when visiting Edinburgh you take a trip down to Portobello to see what was once a village, then a burgh (town) and finally a part of Edinburgh and see and feel for yourself what truly is a beautiful place to visit and live.

Thanks for looking.

Uploaded

October 23rd, 2021