Marine Gardens facts for kids
 Marine Gardens
Location in Edinburgh
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| Location | Firth of Forth Portobello, Edinburgh |
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| Coordinates | 55°57′31.8″N 3°7′20.3″W / 55.958833°N 3.122306°W |
| Opened | 1909 |
| Closed | 1939 |
| Tenants | |
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Leith Athletic F.C.
Edinburgh City F.C. |
1928–1936 1928–1931, 1934–1935 |
The Marine Gardens was a fun entertainment complex in Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland. It opened in 1909 as a fun park and amusement park right by the Firth of Forth. Many of its first attractions, except for the ballroom, were taken away after the First World War. The military used the area during that time.
The complex also had a stadium. It was used for football, greyhound racing, and speedway between the two World Wars. It was home to football teams like Leith Athletic (from 1928 to 1936) and Edinburgh City (from 1928 to 1931, and again from 1934 to 1935). The Marine Gardens closed for good in 1939. This happened after the military took over the area again. After the Second World War, the land was completely changed.
Contents
How Marine Gardens Started
The Marine Gardens was built on a large area called Craigentinny Meadows. This land was right on the shore of the Firth of Forth. Before the park, these meadows were used for Edinburgh's sewage. The land was rotated and watered to grow grass for cows.
The eastern part of these meadows in Portobello became the permanent home for Marine Gardens. The park even moved buildings and exhibits from the successful 1908 Scottish National Exhibition. That exhibition had been held in Saughton Park in Edinburgh.
What Marine Gardens Offered
When Marine Gardens opened in 1909, it had many exciting things to do.
- There was a large ballroom for dancing.
- It featured a circus and a zoo.
- Visitors could enjoy a cinema and a theatre.
- There was a scenic railway for rides.
- Beautiful ornamental gardens and a maze were also part of the fun.
- It even had its own football ground.
Changes and a New Stadium
The Marine Gardens closed down during the First World War. The military used the site for their operations. Troops stayed there until 1919. The company that ran Marine Gardens closed in 1921. This led to most attractions being removed, except for the ballroom.
In 1921, Fred G Yooll bought a twelve-acre part of the Gardens and the ballroom. Mr. Yooll organized events at the ballroom. In 1927, he got permission to build a sports pavilion and a football pitch.
Sports at the Stadium
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 again from 1934 to 1935). Boxing matches, including one with famous boxer Primo Carnera, took place in the ballroom. Baseball games and races with small "midget" cars were also held there.
Greyhound Racing Arrives
In 1931, a group interested in greyhound racing wanted to start 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.
First Greyhound Races
The greyhound track opened on Saturday, July 2, 1932. About 6,000 people came to watch the first meeting. However, there were some problems. The mechanical "hare" that the dogs chased 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 at Marine Gardens until late 1936.
Speedway Racing Returns
Speedway racing first started at Marine Gardens on May 19, 1928. The Scottish Dirt Track Motor Racing Club organized this first open meeting. Speedway stopped in 1931 when the GRA took over the lease for greyhound racing.
Fred Yooll, who owned part of the Gardens, passed away in January 1936. After this, a well-known speedway promoter named Jimmy Fraser took charge. Speedway racing then returned to Marine Gardens in 1938.
The 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 Marine Gardens was torn down. The land was used to build industrial factories. The old speedway track became a test track for a car company. Since 1962, a bus depot has been located where Marine Gardens once stood.
