PORTOBELLO

I am very fortunate to live just metres from the beach front of the capital city of Scotland. I have lived in the area for 40 years altogether, and it has never lost any of its appeal.

Though I am on the outskirts, our transport links are excellent should I have the need to venture in to the city itself. And there are many reasons to do so throughout the year.

It has the worlds largest arts festival for one thing, during the month of August, which doubles the population of the city. At the same time it plays host to a book festival, preceded by a jazz festival. My main interest of course is the internationally renowned Edinburgh International Film Festival in June.

Then there's Hogmanay, again bringing tens of thousands of people here.

It is the seat of the Scottish Government, and a centuries old castle dominates the city horizon, and the remains of a millennia old extinct volcano sits between the castle and its coastline where I live.

But for all of this, I prefer to spend the majority of my time in Portobello.

During this past couple of weekends we have had our very own, busy, festival-feel time of it. The previous weekend saw the mile-long promenade play host to a variety of musicians, all busking their hearts out in the late summer sunshine.

Then just last weekend we had two events; the "Porty Art Walk", and the Village Show. The latter brings everyone in the community together, and always seems to have good, sunny weather.

Locals can have a stall table to sell their crafts and homebaking, while other tents sell beer, hotdogs, coffee and cake, and right in the centre there is a gazebo which is the stage area for local bands to perform.

Around mid way through a dog show was held, with local teenagers acting as judges, followed just a few minutes later with a traditional duck race.

My favourite thing though was an old, traditional model railway. It was mesmerising just watching two trains going round and round the large oval track.

Portobello is known as a place of many creative people, and for a number of days spanning the weekend the Porty Art Walk takes place. This comprises outdoor installations of art, like the bicycle on the prom wall pictured above; displays in several shop windows; and a few local artists open their homes up for people to wander in and enjoy their work.

Even when the sun doesn't shine, and the beach is empty, there is a welcoming warmth, and I can't imagine calling anywhere else home.

As I made my way home after the Village Show, with a smile on my face, I stopped for a moment to enjoy a little corner of wild flowers, which just added to the colour that is Portobello.