Page 26 - March 2024

AREA FOCUS

Culture
Portobello has amassed a reputation as an artsy,
creative hub. Every August, you can enjoy the Big
Beach Busk, where local musicians gather along the
shore and play music all day long. In September, the Art
Walk Porty Festival offers the chance to view specially
commissioned local artworks, popping up all over the
town and celebrating its history.
Seaside chic Old Parish Church, and it’s the prime location for events
Bellfield is a community hub located inside the former

and classes, with everything from toddler groups and
fitness classes to printmaking workshops and belly-
dancing lessons. There’s also Tribe Porty, a coworking
hub where local freelancers and creatives can collaborate
and enjoy a workspace without the commute.

Portobello is also home to an array of indie shops,
We take you on a tour of picturesque Portobello, including The Portobello Book Shop, The ‘Wild’ Flower
one of the UK’s coolest property hotspots. Shop, Cove, Two Sisters and much more.

ack in February, Portobello was Setting up home in Portobello doesn’t come Portobello Swim Centre is
named one of the UK’s coolest ‘micro- cheap, however, and competition for this part Scotland’s only remaining
Bneighbourhoods’ by The Sunday Times of Edinburgh is notoriously fierce. In the last 12
– something that will come as no surprise to months, the average property selling price in Victorian Turkish baths, with
Porty locals. This coastal suburb has long been Portobello was £319,869 – over £27,000 higher hydrotherapy and plunge
popular with those in the know, and it’s recently than the Edinburgh average.
experienced a boom of local businesses pools to indulge in, alongside
opening their doors. The result? A chic city- Let’s go on a tour of this charming coastal gem... the beautiful main pool.
village by the sea, attracting not only tourists,
but a plethora of new residents too.
Education Credit: Soo Burnell
Portobello is home to plenty of history, with Portobello is an ideal location for families
grand Georgian and Victorian architecture in seeking a long-term family home. There are Sport
abundance. There’s a vast array of property two local primary schools to choose from:
types available to suit all tastes, from tenement Towerbank Primary, which is located in the If you’re the outdoorsy type, you might just love to Keen sailors can join Portobello’s Sailing &
flats to elegant villas and glossy new-build town centre; and St John’s RC, which is closer to take advantage of wild swimming – the shoreline Kayaking Club, where you can enjoy use of
apartments, all offering the chance to enjoy the Figgate Park and the golf course. here is a popular spot for those brave enough the equipment and make the most of being
seaside lifestyle, just 20 minutes from the heart to take the plunge! If you prefer a cosier spot to on the water’s edge. And of course, there’s
of Edinburgh. As such, Portobello is incredibly Towerbank is the feeder school for Portobello have a dip, Portobello Swim Centre is Scotland’s the Edinburgh Beach Volleyball Club too –
popular with everyone from first-time buyers High, Edinburgh’s largest secondary school, while only remaining Victorian Turkish baths, with the perfect activity for beachgoers!
to families and downsizers, all looking for the St John’s RC pupils traditionally move on to Holy hydrotherapy and plunge pools to indulge in,
charm the neighbourhood is renowned for. Rood RC High School in nearby Duddingston. alongside the beautiful main pool (pictured above).

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