Portobello magazine
Portobello magazine
June 2025
As the long-awaited warmth of June arrives and the sun shines a little warmer, Portobello truly comes alive and good cheer along the Promenade for fish and chips, there's something unmistakably special about this
has been run, Charities nominated and now the funds are being distributed (more on Pages 6 & 7). 2 sports clubs were the biggest beneficiaries and my Father was thrilled to meet with City of Edinburgh Basketball and with Portobello Youth Rugby Academy who were equally thrilled to receive the donations (opposite)
businesses which look to thrive
In Portobello this month expect plenty more outdoor activities within the community to take place such as beach parties and
discover more things to do in make the most of the sun, or if there is always a spreads beyond the sunshine. Our Charitable giving initiative
Both clubs received the largest share of the votes and Dad did say that, as a Director of Edinburgh Leisure, he was particularly pleased to see the popularity of sport within the area.
He also asked me to point out we have a News Item (Page 9) about the Edinburgh Leisure run Tumbles that he had nothing to do with!!
And finally, our new journalism student continues the sports theme with a Double Page on Duddingston Golf Club (Pages 16/17). Another coincidence and chosen by Shaun himself.
Charlie Cowdy Editor
Portobello Youth Rugby Academy are expanding quickly and said our donation of £1,111 will be an enormous help for balls and equipment.
£5,000forlocal charitiesofyour choice
We have had a great response to our local charity initiative. The first part was to ask readers to get the word out and encourage local charities to apply. By the closing date we had 14 valid applications, 9 through the Duddingston and Portobello magazines with 5 on the other side of the city through our Barnton and Blackhall magazines.
In the March and April issues we encouraged readers to vote for which charity was most deserving. As a City Councillor I understand how important it is for people to vote so I was delighted that 130 of you did. All votes are important so we counted every one and have now decided how to allocate the money...
The top 3 most popular charities took a staggering 93% of the votes with a clear leader followed by 2 closer run and we have decided to split the donation between these 3 along voting lines with each getting as follows:
Portobello Youth Rugby Academy
£1,111 + Giftaid = £1,333
City of Edinburgh Basketball
£521 + Giftaid = £625
Dr Neil’s Garden
£451 + Giftaid = £542
In my role as a City Councillor I also see first hand how important local community organisations are so I say a big thankyou to all the applying charities that provide such good service to the community and encourage everyone to support them when you can.
Regards
Christopher Cowdy
Here is a summary of some of the main articles reported by a range of media outlets and posted on our Facebook Page that relate to our local area of Portobello, Craigentinny, Joppa and Brunstane.
Edinburgh Council plans to pause several transport projects, including in Portobello town centre refocuses on schemes that are realistically fundable and deliverable. Due to tighter finances and the shift to annual funding, the council is streamlining its priorities to ensure more effective use of resources reports Edinburgh Evening News.
distractions and improve focus.
Residents are concerned that Edinburgh Council’s proposed Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)
2024 after operating since the 1960s.
Emergency services, including the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, responded to a suspicious item found at Portobello Beach on the morning of April 15, 2025. A cordon was established, and residents were advised to stay indoors. The item was identified as an unexploded
Edinburgh Evening News also reports that Parents and carers have responded positively to a new pilot scheme at Portobello High School to control mobile phone use by requiring students to lock their phones in magnetic pouches during the school day. As the first school in Scotland to trial this approach, the aim is to reduce
parking 8:30am to 5:30pm. While the council says the plan aims to ease parking pressure and reduce emissions, locals fear it may deter shoppers, particularly the elderly and disabled, and hurt small businesses report Edinburgh Live.
Edinburgh Evening News report that plans have been submitted to demolish the former Orcadia Trampoline Centre in Portobello, to build three new mews
The centre closed in early
wartime munition and safely detonated in a controlled explosion. Police confirmed there was no threat to the public and the cordon was later lifted, say The Edinburgh Reporter.
As the latest of Edinburgh Leisure’s 3 soft plays to receive a makeover, Tumbles Portobello is undergoing a transformation that includes:
• Interactive elements in the baby and toddler zones
• Reconfigured layout for enhanced play experiences
• Upgraded versions of current favourite features
• Extended café seating with fixed options to maximise space
• New flooring in the soft play and café area
• A refreshed reception area on first floor
• Redecorated birthday party room
The Scotsman reports that plans to establish a Forth crossing between Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh, reviving interest sparked by a 2007 hovercraft trial for Portobello, are back in motion following a new £27,000 feasibility study. Unlike the earlier attempt, both Fife and Edinburgh councils are now supportive. The study explores various vessel options and aims to reduce road traffic over the Queensferry Crossing. If progressed, the service could link to Edinburgh’s tram network via Leith, Granton, or Newhaven. A framework may be in place by next year, with Fife Council taking the lead on next steps.
We scour the internet for interesting things that you could do or see locally and list them here.
Tankifiki Portobello
Cafe Forró
Saturday 7th June, 18:00-20:30
Come along for a chance to celebrate the warmth of Brazilian culture with some of the best forró music, friendly people, and of course amazing artisan coffee roasted right on the premises! There will be music for dancing, spaces for relaxing and a range of delicious drinks and snacks available to purchase at the cafe.
Portobello Promenade
Yoga by Bike
Saturday 8th June, 10:00-15:00
Join Detour for a social bike ride and yoga practice in East Lothian. The event aims to bring people together to be active, mindful, and connected to the outdoors. A 12 mile ride from Porty promenade to Longniddry, with plenty of stops to chat, hydrate and enjoy the scenery. Arriving at Fern Bothy, snacks and hot drinks will be provided and a 1 hour Vinyasa Yoga class, suitable for all levels will be lead. You are welcome to jump on a train home from Longniddry, or ride back to Edinburgh together! (Please arrange your own train ticket and bike booking if you are taking this option.) More details on Eventbrite.com
If you know of a local community event to promote, drop us a line.
Portobello Swim Centre/Beach
Summer Solstice Beach Party
Saturday 21st June, 19:30-22:00
Join on Sat Jun 21 2025 at 19:30 for a night of fun and relaxation. Take part in optional Beach Yoga Session and Uplifting Breathwork Session to feel connected, followed by a refreshing Sea Dip under the setting sun. Light a Fire and provide Tribal Tunes to create the Solstice Vibe! Celebrate the longest day of the year together in a beautiful beach setting. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature, meet new friends and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul.
Portobello Town Hall
Karen Dunbar
Friday 27th June, 18:30-21:00
Chewn’ the Fat star Karen Dunbar is back with her brand new 2025 Scottish tour! One of Scotland’s best-known comedy actors, starting off in the sketch show Chewin’ the Fat, she then went on to star in her own show, The Karen Dunbar Show, which received various awards and nominations. This tour will be all new stories & jokes. If you have seen Karen recently feel free to come back again!
The most effective way to promote your organisation in the area: Duddingston magazine & Portobello magazine
Through the doors of 10,000 homes
Basic rates to 5,000 homes are:
Quarter Page = £70 + VAT
Half Page = £120 + VAT
Full Page = £200 + VAT
Call Christopher on 07979530447
Email christopher@ehdirect.co.uk
Visit www.ehdirect.co.uk
By Shaun McGeachan - 1st year student of Journalism at Napier University
18 School Dates Holidays
Term Dates
2025/26
Autumn Term 1 (83 days): Wed 14th AugFri 20th Dec 2024
Spring Term 2 (57 days): Tue 7th Jan - Fir 4th April 2025
Summer Term 3 (50 days): Tue 22nd AprilThur 26th June 2025
Total: 190
16th Sept (1 day)
14th - 21st Oct (6 days)
23rd Dec - 7th Jan 2023 (11 days)
10th - 16th Feb (5 days)
7th - 21st April (10 days)
5th - 6th & 19th May (3 days)
28th June - 16th Aug (35 days)
Total: 71 days
2 of the Largest
Regent St Lane
• Detached 4 bedroom house
• Private walled garden
• 3 well presented bathrooms
• Integrated garage & on street parking
• Within a short walk of Portobello beach
Offers over: £775,000 Coulters
• Terraced 4 bedroom house
• South-facing, private garden
• 2 bathrooms
• 2,707 sq.ft
Offers Over £725,000 Deans
Over 65% of the population of UK own their own home and this is one reason why we are generally interested and talk about them so often.
I have tried to include a regular feature of homes on the market and this month, as well as 2 of the largest and 2 of the smallest, I have included a map (see below) showing the homes that have been sold in the last year although there is generally a 3 month time lag so the most recent transactions won’t be included.
I have also included the 2 highest prices and the 2 lowest prices paid for homes in the area. To spare potential blushes I have not included the addresses!
Dec 2024 - £97,500
Sep 2024 - £940,000
June 2024 £1,050,000
Aug 2024 - £80,000
For years I presented puzzles from the MENSA but thought it was time for a bit of a change, so here is a selection of slightly different puzzles to tease your brain.
At midnight at the start of January 1st, Prof. Stone set 2 clocks to the correct time. One gains 1 minute every hour, and the other loses 2 minutes every hour.
1. When will the clocks next show the same time?
2. When will the clocks both show the correct time?
Starting in the bottom left corner and moving either up or right, adding up the numbers along the way, what is the largest sum which can be made?
What letter comes next in this sequence:
Last month’s answers:
Q1: A sand timer has most moving parts
Q2: In 1990, a person is 15 years old. In 1995, that same person is 10 years old. How can this be? 1990 BC
Q3: 8,549,176,320? The digits are in alphabetical order
COUNCIL
Regular activities for children and young people
Children’s StorytimeTuesday 4pm,
Lego Club, fortnightly + Children's Craft session, fortnightly - Friday 2pm,
Chatterbooks reading group for children, fourth Saturday of the month - Saturday 2pm, Bookbug Rhymetime sessions - Live on Facebook Tuesdays, 11-11:30
Regular
events and activities for adults
Library Link fortnightly service for those unable to come to the library under their own steam. Please contact the library for more information - Monday @ 10.30am.
Adult Writers Group - 4th Monday of the month @ 6.30pm.
Home delivery service, fortnightly for customers unable to leave home. Contact library for more info - Wednesdays
City of Edinburgh Councillor SurgeryWednesday @ 7pm.
Adult Book Group - 1st Monday of the month @ 6.30pm.
Services
Visiting Portobello Library, you can: browse and borrow books- return your books- pick up free period products - use the photocopier- collect hearing aid batteriesuse a public computer and print- use a study space- apply for a National Entitlement Card (bus pass).
Dog friendly day Thursdays.
Facilities
Disabled access - Public accessible toiletsWheelchair accessible - Baby change facilities - Free Wi-Fi and computer access - Charging for personal devices and electric wheelchairs - Study areas - Seating area - Bookable community space
Opening hours
Mon - Wed: 10am to 8pm
Thur - Sat: 10am to 5pm
GRAHAM SWINTON TILING
