We’ll turn back the sands of time with donkey rides at Portobello

THE return of old-fashioned donkey rides to Portobello beach is one of the ideas being floated to help encourage more visitors to the area.

Residents and traders are eager to see a bigger effort to promote Edinburgh’s seaside resort.

Among the ideas would be a return of the traditional seaside activity of donkey rides, while local businesses have also suggested the creation of an open-air cinema and public events such as silent discos on the beach.

And council chiefs were today urged to draw on all available funding sources to pay for improvements and launch new activities.

Donkey rides were a common attraction on Portobello beach right up until the 1970s, but have not been seen since.

Amanda Caygill, owner of the Espy bar in Bath Street, said the beach was already a popular spot for bonfires and barbecues when the weather was good, but she was hoping to work with the council to promote more activities.

“I’ve always talked about trying to get donkey rides back on the beach,” she said. “We would need to be careful about animal care and health and safety, but if people put their heads together I’m sure we could sort something out.”