Edinburgh purchased the Shore of Leith from Sir Robert Logan of Restalrig in 1398 and 1414, and the harbour of Newhaven from James IV in 1510, Newhaven being founded by James IV just six years earlier in 1504. Leith was made a separate burgh by Act of Parliament in 1833.
Leith was a separate city from 1827 until 1921. Leith is fortunate to have kept a sizeable proportion of old buildings and the area around the Shore is fascinating, helped by good refurbishments. Queen Mary (of Guise) had her base here, Charles I was fond of playing golf on Leith Links (1640s) and George IV chose to alight here (plaque on wall opposite grey ship) in 1822.
At the end of The Shore is the Signal Tower (1685, Mylne), a windmill then a defensive position in the Napoleonic Wars, now Fishers restaurant. Leith was a walled town in the 16th century and the remains of Cromwell's Citadel can be seen half way along Commercial Street on the left (1560).
Leith Buildings
Leith Swing Bridge - photo © adrian welch
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Modern Houses
Scottish Housing
Key Leith Buildings:
Scottish Executive Building
The Shore, Leith Buildings - photo © adrian welch
Former Signal Tower: 1685, Mylne
Key Leith Building: Ocean Terminal
More Leith History - esp. re buildings welcome: text / images to info@edinburgharchitecture.co.uk or call 01620 825722