Just over three miles from Edinburgh city centre lies the picturesque Portobello Beach. With gorgeous Victorian architecture and a thriving community spirit, the beach is one of the city’s most popular leisure destinations and was even cited by Lonely Planet as being “the best beach in Central Scotland” in 2022. Students at the University of Edinburgh certainly take advantage of this wonderful location; for many, the beach is a rite of passage —the perfect spot for bonfires, pizza, and adventurous swims.
In recent years, however, a shadow has been cast over the beach’s reputation, as questions have arisen about the quality of the water. Is it really safe to swim?
Pollution levels at Portobello were brought to the public’s attention in July 2024, when the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) banned swimming due to unsafe levels of E. coli in the water. E. coli are bacteria that can cause disturbing infections, with symptoms including vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Although the beach was reopened within days, it left many swimmers feeling anxious to return.
Local MP Chris Murray, who spoke to The Student, is passionate about the issue of pollution. He pins the blame on sewage leaks, a suspicion justified by the presence of a sewage treatment plant at the west end of the beach. Mr Murray wrote to The Student: “Sewage being allowed in the beautiful waters around Scotland is absolutely disgusting, and it cannot be tolerated. [The Scottish Government] should get a grip on this and take the action needed to get sewage out of the sea”.
However, SEPA refutes that sewage is the cause of the problem, stating tests reveal human, dog, and gull external waste are primarily responsible for high levels of E. coli. This year, the agency designated the water quality at Portobello “satisfactory.” While this means it is safe to swim, it puts Portobello in the bottom 13 per cent of beaches in Scotland that haven’t received a “Good” or “Excellent” classification. Reacting to this, Ash Regan, another local MP, told The Student that: “SEPA must provide greater transparency and more visible action.”
Although this summer has not seen the dramatic beach closures, and pollution hasn’t significantly disrupted visits to the beach, the issue of the cleanliness of the water still weighs on the minds of locals and visitors alike. As of today, it is safe to go for a swim, but it is always best to stay aware before and after jumping into the cold waters!
Image by Isabel Beibour