Leith, in the north-east of Edinburgh, with its great atmosphere and a slightly rough edge, is one of the favourite places to live for the city’s young people.
The port of Edinburgh
If you ask anyone who grew up in Leith where they are from, they will most likely say “from Leith”, not from Edinburgh.
Leith has always been Edinburgh’s port, but it kept its independence from the capital: until 1920, Leith was a separate burgh with its own town council.
That’s one of the reasons its people still proudly claim their roots.
Leith and Trainspotting
Even if you haven’t heard of Leith before, you probably know Trainspotting, the famous novel set in the neighbourhood, brilliantly adapted for the cinema and an icon of 1990s popular culture.
When the Henry Robb shipyard closed in 1984, many people in Leith found themselves in a difficult situation, and the lack of work led to serious social and drug problems.
Irvine Welsh’s novel Trainspotting and its film adaptation, directed by Danny Boyle, paint a portrait of that time.
A dynamic and fun neighbourhood
Today, Leith looks nothing like the world of Trainspotting. It is one of Edinburgh’s most dynamic areas, with a great social life.
Leith is home to some of the best restaurants in Edinburgh. For dinner or a stroll, head to The Shore, at the mouth of the Water of Leith, where you’ll find several of the best-known restaurants in the city, including Michelin-starred ones such as The Kitchin.
You can also visit one of the city’s top attractions, the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former yacht of the British royal family.
Another fun thing to do in Leith is to explore its antique and second-hand shops. Some of them are charity shops, which sell donated items and use the profits for good causes.
The Water of Leith walkway
Leith is where the small river that crosses Edinburgh, the Water of Leith, meets the sea. Alongside the river, a path for walkers and cyclists takes you through a natural setting and some of the city’s most interesting neighbourhoods.
Starting from Leith, your first stop will be Stockbridge, Edinburgh’s bohemian neighbourhood, a really interesting place for its art galleries, antique shops and the nearby Royal Botanic Garden.
A little further on is Dean Village, a beautiful old milling village where time seems to have stood still.
To find out more about this lovely route, read our guide to the Water of Leith.
Location
Leith is in the north of Edinburgh, connected to the centre by Leith Walk, which starts near Princes Street. You can walk down Leith Walk, or take the tram or any of the buses heading down from Princes Street.
Another option, perhaps the most enjoyable, is to follow the walkway along the Water of Leith, which crosses the city to the port.
Get directions to Leith.