Portobello Big Beach Busk hailed a huge success

Skilled sandcastle sculptors rubbed shoulders with hundreds of music makers for the ninth Big Beach Busk on Saturday.
Bristo Community Concert Band, from left, Mirjam Scheffer, Sandy Devine, David Watson and Leon Thomson.Bristo Community Concert Band, from left, Mirjam Scheffer, Sandy Devine, David Watson and Leon Thomson.
Bristo Community Concert Band, from left, Mirjam Scheffer, Sandy Devine, David Watson and Leon Thomson.

Described as a flash mob by the sea, the all-day event took place on Portobello Promenade.

Organiser Paul Lambie said about 400 people contributed to a “great big amazing day of music, fun and love on Portobello Prom”.

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He set the event up to recognise Edinburgh has a big, beautiful beach in Portobello and to bring music to the area.

Buskers playing a guitar and double bass.Buskers playing a guitar and double bass.
Buskers playing a guitar and double bass.

In the first year there was about 80 musicians taking part and it has since grown, filling the mile-long promenade.

Next year the Big 10 will mark a decade of the inclusive busking event.

The popular event, which is free to take part in and attend, also plays host to the annual Portobello Sandcastle Competition.

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With buckets and spades at the ready, the event has become popular for families on the Porty calendar, with parents and kids alike getting into the fun. Entry is by donation with all funds given to playgroup the Toddler’s Hut.

A spokesman from the playgroup said: “Thanks so much to everyone who came along and supported this amazing annual event. You helped raise a fantastic £196 for Portobello Toddlers Hut.”

And this year there was a couple of surprise judges as dolphins popped up at the shoreline.

Last year more than 50 sandcastles were carefully crafted during the event.

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