PORTOBELLO BEACH

IT’S just a few miles from Edinburgh city centre, but it could be a different world.

Take a walk along the Portobello promenade and you’ll soon get the feeling you could have stepped back to another era.

It’s got a kind of olde-worlde glamour to it and is dotted with cafes, pubs and restaurants. You’re bound to stop at one of them.

We especially like the Guild of Foresters – you’ll find a warm welcome, lots of good ales and a really nice menu. We can recommend the roast underblade fillet of Scotch beef.

There’s a two-mile stretch of golden beach and it’s great for people watching, sunbathing and swimming – although the water will obviously be freezing!

Even if the sun doesn’t shine, you won’t be disappointed – in fact, some locals prefer a walk on a bracing winter’s day.

There’s an amusement arcade and some nice independent shops – and also some charity shops where you’ll find some great bargains.

A lovely place to spend an afternoon.