Edinburgh/East

By bus

Lothian Buses have a comprehensive service throughout the east of the city. Many services depart Princes Street in the New Town. To get to Portobello take Lothian buses 15 or 26/X26/N26 from Princes Street. Lothian buses 42 (via Duddingston Village), 45 and 49 also go to Portobello.

By train

Local Services from Bathgate, Edinburgh Park, Haymarket and Waverley stations serve Brunstane and Newcraighall in this area for those coming from Edinburgh. The line continues to the South of Newcraighall, connecting with stations at Shawfair, Eskbank, Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Stow, Galashiels, and Tweedbank.

By car

The primary route into the area from the South-East is the dual-carriageway A1, the main London-Edinburgh road. This comes in to the Newcraighall and Brunstane areas, wherein it diverges into city streets. The coastal road from Musselburgh splits at Eastfield, the inland route leading to Brunstane again, the coastal fork leading to Joppa and Portobello.
There is a Park & Ride car park next to the Newcraighall train station (for access to the city centre) which is charged at 50p per 24 hours and has 24-hr access.

• Duddingston VillageVillage on the eastern edge of Holyrood Park, which dates back to 1124.

• Duddingston LochA wildlife reserve and also the setting for the famous Henry Raeburn painting The Skating Minister.

• Dr Neil's (Secret) Garden

  address: Old Church Lane, Duddingston Village, EH15 3PX
  Not quite a secret but certainly an overlooked jewel. Beautiful terraced garden on the shores of the loch. Find it behind the historic church (Duddingston Kirk), which is occasionally also open.

• PortobelloA traditional British beach resort within the city on the shore of the Firth of Forth. Golden sand, ice-cream parlours, fish'n'chips, amusement arcades, playgrounds, paddling pools, what more do you want from the seaside? Admittedly the weather is often more suited to Bracing Walks than Cooling Dips but there's still fun to be had in "Porty".

• Portobello Swim Centre

  phone: +44 131 669-6888
  address: 57 The Promenade, Portobello
  Traditional Victorian baths with fully modernised facilities. Pool, gym, sauna and the only Turkish Baths in town.
• Cycle along the Innocent Cycle Path (a transformed railway track) from the Royal Commonwealth Pool (South) to Portobello.
• If you are in the area (for example when walking towards Portobello), then consider walking through the Figgate Park with wildlife in and around the Figgate Pond.

• Fort KinnairdA massive out-of-town retail complex (supposedly the biggest of its type in the UK), next to the A1 dual carriageway as it heads out of town to the south-east. Lots of mainstream chain shops.

• In Portobello there is a larger Scotmid in Bath Street and various smaller convenience stores along Portobello High Street to buy supplies for a picnic at the beach.

• Bonoful

  address: 13-17 Brighton Place, Portobello
  Indian food.

• Reds

  phone: +44 131 669-5558
  address: 254 High Street, Portobello
  Family and children friendly bistro.

• Cherry's Cafe

  address: London Road
  A small cafe serving nice Turkish food and breakfast items.

• The Beach House Cafe

  phone: +44 131 657-2636
  address: 57 Bath Street, Portobello
  Right at the promenade along the beach with views towards the sea. Offers fresh and locally sourced sweet and savoury food.

• The Mouse Hole Deli

  phone: +44 131 657-1789
  address: 131 Portobello High Street, Portobello
  Deli for food and buying local products.

• The Sheep Heid Inn

  phone: +44 131 661-7974
  address: 43-45 The Causeway, Duddingston Village
  Established in 1360 if not before, this is certainly Edinburgh's oldest public house, though its claim to be the oldest in Scotland is disputed by a few others. In any case it's a lovely traditional pub, with a beer garden and skittle alley (reputedly the oldest in the world). Barbecues on summer Sundays attract the crowds from all over town. It is now run by Mitchells & Butlers, a nation-wide chain of pubs and restaurants.

• The Guild of Foresters

  phone: +44 131 669-2750
  address: 40 Portobello High Street, Portobello
  A nice pub with a small selection of cask ales. Locally sourced food is also available.

• The Regent

  phone: +44 131 661-8198
  address: 2 Montrose Terrace
  Campaign for Real Ale Edinburgh and S.E. Scotland Pub of the Year 2008. They also offer a small selection of food. The Regent is unofficially a gay bar but is very straight-friendly. Free wifi available.

• Abercorn Guest House

  phone: +44 131 669-6139
  address: 1 Abercorn Terrace, Portobello
  A family-run B&B.

• The Georgian Retreat

  phone: +44 131 669-5394
  address: 36 Regent Street, Portobello
  A privately owned apartment suitable for up to four people. Generally bookable for a minimum of 7 days only.

• Kings Manor Hotel

  phone: +44 131 669-0444
  address: 100 Milton Road

• The Brae Guest House

  phone: +44 131 661-0170
  address: 119 Willowbrae Road
  A family-run B&B.

• Portobello Library

  phone: +44 131 529-5558
  address: 14 Rosefield Avenue, Portobello
  Offers free Wi-Fi.