Where in Portobello?

Post by **wangi** » 23 Feb 2010, 15:24

A photo from Peter Stubbs' excellent EdinPhoto site:

http://edinphoto.org.uk/PP_D/pp_halkett ... _is_it.htm

Here is one of William Halkett's cabinet prints.

William Halkett had a studios at Portobello from 1897 until 1930, but cabinet pints were only popular until the very early 1900s - so it seems likely that this photo would probably have been taken around 1900.

Cabinet prints were photos, 5.5 ins x 4 ins, mounted on cards 6.5 ins x 4.25 ins. with the photographer's name and address on the back of the card or occasionally (as here) on the front of the card.

Cabinet prints were usually studio portraits, but this one is an outdoor view. If you recognise the location, please e-mail me.

Thank you. - Peter Stubbs

Any ideas?

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 23 Feb 2010, 19:05

I think that's at the bottom of Bellfield Lane. Aren't the houses with the arched windows the ones that face onto Straiton Place with the long front gardens (the arched windows being at the back)?

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 23 Feb 2010, 20:04

By jove! I think you could be right. Well done.

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 23 Feb 2010, 21:28

No, I'm wrong - I've just Google Earthed it!

It's on Edinphoto http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/pp_d/pp_hal ... _is_it.htm. Elsewhere in Edinphoto and in connection with the same photograph it is stated that photographers seldom moved outside their own area, but that doesn't mean Mr H didn't, so maybe there is a chance that this isn't Potobello at all??

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 23 Feb 2010, 22:37

Oh no! Not so well done then....

Post by **wangi** » 24 Feb 2010, 11:24

Poppy wrote:No, I'm wrong - I've just Google Earthed it!

it is stated that photographers seldom moved outside their own area, but that doesn't mean Mr H didn't, so maybe there is a chance that this isn't Potobello at all??

And I had a wee walk around there last night too!

There's the possibility it's not Portobello; but it does have a certain look of Portobello to it. And the possibility the building no longer exists...

Gordon Mackenzie · Post by **Gordon Mackenzie** » 04 Mar 2010, 20:56

It is a picture of the old toll gate building at Jock's Lodge. I've seen it before in a book called the Old Duddingston and Portobello. Not sure if it is there any more.

Post by **wangi** » 07 Mar 2010, 15:01

Good spy Gordon...

Plate 47 in chapter 7 of "Old Duddingston and Portobello - A Local History" by Dennis B White: "Jock's Lodge toll house. The triple marks on the wall of the toll house indicate the position of one of the toll-gate posts. The road to the left is the road to Edinburgh and that to the right goes, via what became known as "Smokey Brae", to Restalrig and Leith.".

I think the only building still recognisable from that print is the one at the far top left - the one with the windows on the gable end very near the roof line. That's the building which now contains the Prince Qasim takeaway and the Limelite bar (which was the Crown & Cushion before?). The building to the right of that, which is obscured in this print, could perhaps be the current "Jock's Lodge" bar, bet then again maybe the building with the arched windows is? The roof line and chimneys look similar.