East Edinburgh
East Edinburgh holds a poor reputation, mainly as a result of the building of a mass of housing schemes here in the mid 1900s. In recent years, it has gone through somewhat of a redevelopment, although much of it remains of little interest to anyone outside the area. There are however, parts of East Edinburgh that do catch the eye, namely Portobello and Duddingston.
Portobello came to prominence in the 18th century with the building of a successful pottery works, and went on to become the home of several other industries. Rather strangely, around the same time, the town was fast becoming a popular seaside resort and was attracting thousands of Scots on their holidays. Portobello fails to attract the same excitement these days, but it still boasts an impressive sandy beach, Turkish baths, and a couple of amusement arcades.
Duddingston could hardly be more different. Sandwiched between the hill of Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park and Duddingston Loch (famously portrayed in Henry Raeburn’s painting of the skating reverend), this small village is a picture of serenity. It is said to house Scotland’s oldest pub (the Sheep’s Heid Inn), and a building in which Bonnie Prince Charlie once slept. The rather grand Duddingston House is now used as a venue for hire, whilst a golf course occupies the grounds.
