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All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh Portobello Bottle Kilns
AO Edited

Portobello Bottle Kilns

The last remaining bottle-shaped kilns in Scotland stand alone in an Edinburgh suburb.

Edinburgh, Scotland

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linkogecko
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The restored kilns in 2013.   M J Richardson/cc by-sa 2.0
The restored kilns in 2013.   M J Richardson/cc by-sa 2.0
The restored kilns in 2013.   M J Richardson/cc by-sa 2.0
The 1909 kiln following restoration.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
A brick imprinted “2013” shows where new bricks were used on the 1909 kiln   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
The 1906 kiln in the process of being rebuilt.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
A kiln appears on this floor mosaic along Portobello’s promenade.   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
Portabello map   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Ash-stump   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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Model of a bottle kiln in the National Museum of Scotland   linkogecko / Atlas Obscura User
  adamjasonmoore / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1739, the British Navy won a victory over Spain for control of the town of Portobelo, Panama. The victory was celebrated to such a degree it led to the naming of many things throughout the British Empire: a road in London, colonial estates in the United States, a peninsula in New Zealand, and a Scottish beach town that has since become engulfed by the urban sprawl of Edinburgh.

During the early years of the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, the fast-growing town of Portobello became the site of many manufacturing industries, such as brickworks, saltworks, and glassmaking. Given its wide, sandy beach located conveniently close to both the country's capital and its largest city, Glasgow, Portobello came to be known as a peculiar combination of an industrial and resort town.

The industrial boom in the early 20th century lead to the establishment of Buchan's Pottery, which built two bottle kilns (so called because of their shape) onsite for its operations. The first was finished in 1906 and the second one three years later. They are the only bottle kilns that are standing in Scotland. 

Near the end of the century, Scotland was on its way to becoming a post-industrial economy and many companies would close or relocate operations, Buchan's among them. The pottery relocated to Crieff across the Firth of Forth in 1972, leaving behind these kilns as a relic of the industrial heritage of Portobello.

The kilns were renovated in 2006, and an accidental, partial collapse of the 1909 kiln required it to be fully rebuilt. Both original and new bricks were used for this renovation, and a brick marked “2013” shows the split between new and old material. As of August 2019, the 1906 kiln is being rebuilt out of the original bricks as well.

As of May 2023; The kiln is still being repaired.

Related Tags

History Industrial Industrial Revolution Local History

Know Before You Go

Renovation of the 1906 kiln is expected to conclude in 2020. Further industrial heritage in Portobello can be found along the beach promenade, from the Coade stone columns, approximately 20 minutes east of the kilns on foot, to the Turkish baths and their brick smokestack, located halfway between the kilns and columns.

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linkogecko

Edited By

Snowdrop68, Meg, SEANETTA, adamjasonmoore

  • Snowdrop68
  • Meg
  • SEANETTA
  • adamjasonmoore

Published

August 23, 2019

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Sources
  • https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/blog/newsblog/post/524/portobello-to-celebrate-completion-of-kilns-restoration-project
  • http://www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld/objects/lQErlwzISK6ogIwWv_2UvQ
  • https://www.revolvy.com/page/Battle-of-Porto-Bello
Portobello Bottle Kilns
2 Harbour Pl
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH15 1TQ
United Kingdom
55.956303, -3.115382
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Nearby Places

The Porty Light Box

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

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Coade Stone Columns

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miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

The Porty Light Box

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miles away

Dewar Monument

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Coade Stone Columns

Edinburgh, Scotland

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

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Stories 7

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