A SHORT HISTORY OF PORTOBELLO
Portobello, as a place of habitation, dates back two hundred years; for it was in 1742 that the first house was built and given the name "Porto Bello." Although no dwellings existed before this date, history gives us some glimpses of interesting events which took place in this "land of the Figgate".
It was hereabouts in 1296 that William Wallace mustered his two hundred patriots to join Robert Lauder at Musselburgh for the pursuit of the traitor Earl of Dunbar. It was also here that Oliver Cromwell, in 1650, held a secret meeting with his Scottish leaders.
A retired seaman, George Hamilton by name, having served under Admiral Vernon at the siege of Porto Bello in Central America in 1739, decided to build himself a cottage in this wilderness of sand-blown dunes, and in 1742 he built his house which he called "Porto Bello" in memory of the famous battle. George Hamilton carried on a business as a shoemaker, and later he seems to have converted his house into a resting-place for travellers journeying on the Old Roman Way (now the Fishwives Causeway) between Edinburgh and Musselburgh.
When the brick-making works started in 1764 Portobello grew rapidly into a small town, and in 1807 there were eight hundred inhabitants; but so far there was no place of worship. The Parish minister held an occasional service on Sunday evenings in a barn or loft, and records tell us that James Haldane, who often visited the neighbourhood on holiday with his wife and family frequently preached to the people. An extract from a letter at that time said :- "Mr Haldane's labours for the spiritual good of the people of Portobello by preaching and private administrations were unwearied and highly appreciated."
In 1862 the original house "Porto Bello" was demolished to make room for a Town Hall. This fine building, built to the plans of David Bryce, R.S.A., was bought in 1919 by the Baptist Church and is the place of worship today.
Thus the Baptist Church has come to occupy the very ground on which the first house stood; and this honoured site where, nearly two hundred years ago, wearied travellers on the Old Roman Road found rest of body, has for the last generation been the halting-place where multitudes of pilgrims making for the Celestial City have found rest of mind and peace of heart.