Leith

Scotland > Central Scotland > Edinburgh > Leith

Since 1544, when the Earl of Hertford with his English army landed at Leith with orders to "sack Leith and burn and subject it, and put man, woman and child to fire and sword" the town had to bear the trials of war and change.

As a separate town, Leith's importance in the past was based on being Edinburgh's and Scotland's principal port. Edinburgh merchants wanted to retain their valuable access to the sea, so much of the land where Leith stood was gradually accquired and after a brief period of independence Leith was amalgamated with Edinburgh in 1920.

As the gateway to Scotland, Leith ships did trade with the Baltic, the Low Countries, France, America and the Mediterranean, carrying coal, grain, fish and hides and returning with spices, cloth, whale oil and wine.

Shipbuilding and ship repair work were also important. Leith yards began to specialise in smaller ships designed for specific purposes, but the last yard closed in 1983. It is on this site that the new Ocean Terminal has been built and is now home to the former Royal Yacht, Britannia and a permanent reminder of the importantance of Leith in its connection with the sea.

Today Leith is one of Scotland's popular weekend destinations, with clubs restaurants and pubs attracting young and old, from all over the world.