Postcards: Margeorie Mekie - Queen's Bay Hotel

[Bob Jefferson]

Originally known as Easter Duddingston Lodge, it was owned by the Duke of Abercorn. In 1858 it was leased to Charles Jenner, the proprietor of Jenner's Departmental Store. He purchased the property in 1874 and had it enlarged. He also extended the grounds until they covered over eight acres and created one of the most impressive gardens in the area. Many of his Jenner's girls stayed there.

In 1894 the property came back on the market. It was described as being a dwelling house surrounded by trees, enclosed within high stone walls and with magnificent views from the front of the house across the River Forth to shores of Fife and the Lomond Hills.

The new owners opened its doors to the public under the name of the Queen's Bay Hotel. This was a very luxurious hotel. Apart from the putting green, there was also a 'bridge in the wilderness' and very fine rockery gardens. It ceased being a hotel in 1926 when it passed back into the owership of Jenner's.

(An article on Queen's Bay appears in the Spring 2007 edition of the Portobello Reporter.)



1905








1908




1905





1930