1901 Edinburgh Sea Water Baths Portobello : Scotland Local History

Edinburgh Sea Water Baths Portobello

Printed by Midlothian & Suburban Press, Portobello, Edinburgh, undated but believed to be 1901. We also believe this was the very first publication regarding Portobellow baths. Slim hardback, green cloth, 28pp plus a few un-numbered pages at the rear.

The illustrations in this book were taken from photographs by Mr. J. K. Home Crawford, Photographer Portobello.

CONDTION
A very good copy of this scarce book. The cloth binding is very good. Endpapers brown with age. Pages very good throughout. Inscription to inside front board which has been scored out. Overall a good copy of this scarce piece of local history.

Portobello Sea Water Spa first opened its doors to the public in 1901.

Portobello baths were built by the Corporation and soon became established as a treatment centre and health spa for the middle classes. The baths, which had separate pools for men and women, used water pumped from the sea and filtered.

 that time, the water was heated by coal boilers to around 76F (24C). Even the showers ran with hot and cold sea water. The healing properties of sea water were widely accepted and the baths were recommended by doctors for patients suffering from sciatica, rheumatism and nervous disorders.

Apart from swimming for exercise, visitors could relax in the luxury of Turkish or Russian baths, exercise in the gymnasium or take tea in the cafeteria.

(Shelf : Edinburgh)