Marine Gardens facts for kids

The Marine Gardens was a fun entertainment spot in Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland. It opened in 1909 as a pleasure garden and amusement park right by the Firth of Forth.

After the First World War, most of its original attractions were removed. Only the ballroom remained. The complex also had a stadium. This stadium was used for football, greyhound racing, and speedway. It was the home ground for football teams like Leith Athletic and Edinburgh City. The Marine Gardens closed for good in 1939 when the military took it over again. The area was later rebuilt after the Second World War.

How Marine Gardens Started

The Marine Gardens was built on a large area called Craigentinny Meadows. This land was right by the Firth of Forth. Before the gardens, this part of the meadows was used for farming. It helped grow grass for cattle.

The people who created Marine Gardens bought buildings and displays from a big event. This event was the successful 1908 Scottish National Exhibition. It had been held in Saughton Park in Edinburgh. They moved these parts to the new Marine Gardens site.

What Was There at Opening

When Marine Gardens first opened in 1909, it had many exciting things to do. There was a big ballroom where people could dance. It also had a circus and a zoo with animals. Visitors could watch movies at the cinema or plays at the theatre.

For thrills, there was a scenic railway. You could also explore beautiful ornamental gardens and a maze. And, of course, there was a football ground for sports.

Closure and New Stadium

The Marine Gardens had to close during the First World War. The military used the site for their operations. Troops stayed there until 1919. The company that owned Marine Gardens closed down in 1921. This led to most attractions being removed. Only the ballroom stayed open.

In 1921, Fred G Yooll bought a large part of the Gardens and the ballroom. He organized events at the ballroom. In 1927, he got permission to build a sports pavilion and a football pitch. Starting in May 1928, the stadium hosted speedway races. It also became home to two football clubs. These were Leith Athletic (from 1928 to 1936) and Edinburgh City (from 1928 to 1931 and 1934 to 1935). The ballroom also hosted boxing matches, including one with famous boxer Primo Carnera. Other events included baseball games and races with small midget cars.

Greyhound Racing at the Gardens

In 1931, a group interested in greyhound racing looked into starting races at Marine Gardens. This attracted the Greyhound Racing Association (GRA). The GRA already owned Powderhall Stadium nearby. They signed a lease for Marine Gardens on New Year's Day 1931. In May 1932, they got permission to build a new grandstand.

The greyhound track officially opened on Saturday, July 2, 1932. About 6,000 people came to watch the first meeting. However, there were some problems. The mechanical hare, which the dogs chase, broke down. The first race was cancelled, and after only one completed race, it broke again. A second meeting finally happened on July 16. The first evening race meeting was on July 21. Greyhound racing likely continued until 1936.

Speedway Racing Returns

Speedway racing began at Marine Gardens in May 1928. But it stopped in 1931 when the GRA took over the lease. Fred Yooll, who owned the site, passed away in January 1936. Then, a well-known speedway promoter named Jimmy Fraser took charge. Speedway racing returned to Marine Gardens in 1938.

Final Closure

The Marine Gardens area was needed by the military again during the Second World War. This led to the complex closing down for good. After the war, most of the Marine Gardens was torn down. The land was then used for industrial factories. The old speedway track became a test track for a car company. Since 1962, a bus depot has been located where the Marine Gardens once stood.