Portobello, to the east of Edinburgh city centre, has a popular promenade facing onto a wide sandy beach. In bygone years Portobello was a great desitination for holiday makers from all over Scotland, but particularly from the Glasgow area.

In the 19th century it became a very fashional bathing resoort for certain classes and the sandy beach was know by such as sir Walter Scott and King Geoerge IV. It also had its own industry and was a minor centre of fishing. In the early 19th century Portobello was made a Burgh but was incorporated into the city of Edinbrugh towards the end of the century. For over 100 years between the mid 19th and 20th century, Portobello was also accessed via rail, but sadly, this facility was withdrawn in the mid 1960s.

One of Portobello's claims to fame was its outdoor swimming pool, well know to many in the central belt of Scotland duing their Summer vacations, but also where Sean Connery worked as a life guard in his younger days.

Today, Portobello is a great community with its seaside, enjoyable parks, shops and restaurants.