'''Leith''' [http://www.visitleith.org/] is the port district of the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, located to the north of the city centre on the shoreline of the '''Firth of Forth'''. Traditionally a separate '''burgh''', Leith and its inhabitants remain determinedly independent in nature and character, despite being absorbed by the larger City of Edinburgh.

Understand

Although possessing a somewhat exaggerated reputation for seediness and crime in recent decades, Leith has been undergoing a major revival since the 1980s with many of the district's problems gradually being resolved. It is now a vibrant community, with a wealth of shops, pubs, restaurants, parks and community events. The relatively low cost of buying or renting property compared to some other areas of Edinburgh, combined with excellent transport links, has led to Leith playing host to immigrants from all over the UK, Europe and the World and it is therefore one of Scotland's most cosmopolitan communities.

Get in

Leith is located to the North of Edinburgh. The two are most directly connected by Leith Walk, which runs from the East End of Princes Street into Leith.

On foot

Follow Leith Walk from the east end of Princes Street, enjoying the wide range of different shops along the route.

A more peaceful walk between Edinburgh and Leith follows the Water of Leith Walkway, which can be picked up at Dean Village (close to West End), Stockbridge or Canonmills (both on the north side of the New Town). The walkway is indicated by brown direction signs featuring a water wheel logo. For most of the route the river is flanked on one or both sides by woodland, and it's often hard to believe you're in a major city. There are brown trout in the river and birds including the Grey Heron and Kingfisher can be seen.

By bus

Leith is connected to the city by several bus services operated by Lothian Buses, the local operator.

Bus services 7, 10, 12, 14, 16, 22, 25 and 49 travel down Leith walk from Edinburgh centre.

Service 35 connects the old town of Edinburgh to Ocean Terminal, the location of the Royal Yacht Britannia. Service 22 serves Ocean Terminal from Princes Street. Service 36 connects Holyrood (palace and parliament building) to Leith, via the West End and Stockbridge.

By tram

From 2011, trams will connect Leith directly to the airport, via Princes Street, Haymarket and Murrayfield.

By train

The nearest train station is Edinburgh Waverley.

By plane

Edinburgh Airport is the closest.

See

  • The '''Royal Yacht Britannia''' [http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/], Ocean Terminal, open Nov-Feb 10AM-5PM, Mar-Oct 9.30AM-6PM, last entry 1.5 hrs before closing, closed Christmas and New Years Days, admission adult __9, seniors __7, child 5-17 yrs and students with ID __5, children under 5 free. Decommissioned from Royal use in recent years and voted one of Edinburgh's best new attractions, Britannia offers visitors the chance to tour the royal apartments and view a selection of the many gifts offered to the royals by dignitaries worldwide.
  • Do

  • Take in a football game at '''Hibernian F.C.'s''' [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibernian_fc] '''Easter Road Stadium'''[http://www.easterroad.com/]. The team play in the Scottish Premier League and games are generally 3pm on a Saturday but check on line for fixture details.
  • Walk or cycle along the '''Water of Leith Walkway'''[http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/]. The route starts from the harbour and follows the river right through the City to the suburb of Balerno, on the edge of the Pentland Hills. The walkway is indicated by brown direction signs featuring a water wheel logo. For most of the route the river is flanked on one or both sides by woodland, and it's often hard to believe you're in the heart of a major city. There are brown trout plus a dozen other species of fish in the river and birds including the grey heron, goosander, dipper and kingfisher can be seen along the banks. If you're very lucky you may see badgers or otters.
  • '''Fishing (Angling)''' is possible along most of the length of the Water of Leith. Permits are required, and can be obtained free of charge from the City Council[http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk] offices at Waverley Market in the New Town and Cockburn Street in the Old Town. Most Fishing Tackle shops throughout the city can also provide permits.
  • '''Leith Festival'''[http://www.leithfestival.com/] takes place in June every year at venues all around Leith. Art, Comedy, Dance, Drama, Film, Music and more.
  • The '''Edinburgh Mela''' [http://www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk/] is a multi-cultural festival, largely based around South-Asian traditions. As of 2008, it takes place in the last week of August on a site next to the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, having outgrown its previous home in Pilrig Park.
  • Help to '''Clean Leith!''' [http://www.cleanleith.com/]. These guerrilla activists raise awareness of environmental issues in Leith and have a raft at The Shore where free entertainment happens every Friday afternoon.
  • Buy

  • There is a huge undercover shopping centre at '''Ocean Terminal'''[http://www.oceanterminal.com/] with many of the usual High Street chain shops (Debenhams, BHS, Gap, Top Shop, Waterstones, etc) and one or two more unusual options, plus bars, restaurants and a multi-screen cinema.
  • '''Leith Walk''' joins Edinburgh to Leith, so the top half is in the New Town, and the bottom half is in Leith. Despite having been invaded by an array of Polish Grocers (Polski Sklep) of late, and the reduction in trade caused by works on the tram project, Leith Walk still has an amazing variety of independent shops. Locals claim there is nothing you can't buy somewhere on Leith Walk (even if it's illegal!). Have fun trying to prove this wrong!
  • :* <buy name="Leith Cycles" alt="" address="276 Leith Walk" directions="" phone="0131 467 7775" email="" fax="" url="http://www.leithcycleco.com/" hours="7 days 8.30am - 5.30pm. Thursdays until 7pm. Sundays 12noon - 5pm" price="">Excellent local bike shop with a range of bikes, spares and accessories. Repair shop in the back and a hire service starting at as little as __7 for a half-day hire.</buy> :* <buy name="Gamesmaster" alt="" address="287 Leith Walk" directions="" phone="0131 5555188" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price="">Second-hand video games. All the recent titles but it's the retro games that will really excite gaming fans in this good-value box of delights.</buy>

    Eat

    You definitely will find some of the best seafood in all of Scotland along the Shore. You will find a few pubs as well that serve the traditional Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, Fish and Chips, etc. Amazing area!!

    Budget

  • Word of Mouth Bistro. a Albert Street. ust off Leith Walk. 131 554 4344. on?Sat 9am?8.30pm; Sun 10am?8.30pm. 5.962507. 3.178538. ofm@blueyonder.co.uk. Not quite a restaurant but definitely more than a cafe, Word of Mouth offers breakfasts, coffees and sandwiches, along with some more substantial hot options. The deal where you pick 5 options from the Mezze menu for __15 and get a bowl of chips thrown in is a great option for a value lunch for two. You might find it hard to resist spending another couple of pounds on one of the broad range of home baked cakes to follow it though - if you can fit one in. Free WiFi and even the gent_fs toilets have interesting decor. It's probably a good thing they don't have rooms or you'd never want to leave! </eat>

    Mid Range

  • The Waterline. he Shore. Wide range of food for all tastes as well as an extensive wine list and beers from around the world. Quiz nights on Thursday!
  • Giuliano's. ommercial Street, corner of Ronaldson's Wharf. Family-friendly Italian restaurant. Huge menu—you can't fail to find something to tickle your fancy. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. Popular for all kinds of occasions from kids birthday parties to hen nights or just a good old get-together with friends. Consequently can sometimes be a wee bit noisy on occasion.
  • Suruchi Too. 21 Constitution Street. ttp://www.suruchirestaurant.com/. Suruchi's second restaurant also serving Traditional Indian cuisine.
  • The Raj. he Shore. One of Edinburgh's longest-established Indian Restaurants and still maintaining very high standards. For a new experience try the hookahs in the back room.
  • La Cantina. ommercial Quay. acing the Scottish Government. Mexican eatery. Decent food at reasonable prices. Service sometimes slips at busy times.
  • Osteria Di Domenico. 0 Sandport Street. 131 467 7266. Lovely little family-run Italian restaurant. Seasonally changing menu so you can always be sure of the freshest of ingredients here
  • Mya. ommercial Quay. Interesting concept offering both Indian and Thai menus (on facing pages). The owners say it helps to avoid arguments between groups of friends about what type of food to go out for. Actually works as both cuisines are executed pretty well, and the service is always excellent
  • Fishers Bistro. The Shore. Traditional and unassuming restaurant that consistently delivers quality food specialising in food from the sea. Exceeding expectations, the Fishers Bistro rarely disappoints
  • Khublai Khan's Mongolian Restaurant. 3 Assembly Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7BQ. 44 (0)131 555 0005. ttp://www.khublaikhan.co.uk/index.htm. A slightly unusual eating experience. Take a bowl and help yourself to a base (rice or noodles), and then add your own concoction of the available herbs and spices, oil and sauces, and veg (or follow one of their own suggestions). Next add you meat or seafood from a wide selection including some usual options such as chicken, or choose something more unusual like wild boar or even zebra. Then you hand this bowl over to the chef who cooks it for you (don't mix meat as they cook at different speeds - mixing seafood is OK though!) and it is then brought to you at your table.

    Splurge

  • Restaurant Martin Wishart. 4 The Shore. 131 5533557. ttp://www.martin-wishart.co.uk/. 5.975435. 3.170426. One for a (very) special occasion. Leith's first Michelin Star.
  • The Kitchin. 8 Commercial Quay. 131 5551755. ttp://www.thekitchin.com/. 5.977074. 3.172753. Just a couple of hundred yards from Leith's first Michelin star, here is its 2nd. Only established in 2006 and has already racked up several awards.

    Drink

    Leith has a huge number of places to drink, from traditional pubs to modern style bars. The list below is just a selection.

  • '''The Kings Wark''', 36 The Shore. 0131 5549260. One of the oldest buildings in the whole city. Check out the walls which are literally feet thick. Excellent traditional pub by the water. Good range of real ales and whiskys. The food is good too, as is the staff_fs banter.
  • '''Cameo Bar''', 23 Commercial Street. 0131 5549999. One of the longest established of Leith's many "Style Bars". Manages to combine trendy decor with a friendly, neighbourhood feel.
  • '''Teuchters Landing''', Dock Place. 0131 5547427. Recent addition to the popular aroomin/Teuchters mini-chain. Located in a former cruise liner waiting room. Lots of outside tables by the water so a great choice for a sunny afternoon.
  • '''The Vaults''', 87 Giles Street. 0131 5543451. The home of the Scottish Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) [http://www.smws.co.uk/] and only open to members and their guests. Located on the first floor of Edinburgh's oldest commercial building, the main members room manages to be opulent and impressive, while still remaining relaxing and in no way snooty. The SMWS bottle single malt whiskys at cask strength. Each bottling is from a single cask and is therefore unique. If you like whisky then its well worth befriending a member and getting signed in! Also serves a range of quality bottled beers, a small wine list, and complementary tea and coffee, plus good food. Live music last Sunday of every month.
  • '''The Village''', South Fort Street. 0131 4787810. Plays host to Leith Folk Club[http://www.leithfolkclub.org] every Tuesday evening, with performers from all over the British Isles and sometimes further afield.
  • Sleep

  • '''Malmaison'''[http://www.malmaison-edinburgh.com/], 1 Tower Place, 0131 468 5000. Boutique waterfront hotel, in the centre of the old part of Leith.
  • '''Premier Inn Edinburgh (Leith)'''[http://www.premierinn.com], 51/53 Newhaven Place, 08701 977 093. Everything you'd expect from this chain. Located a wee bit to the west of Leith itself, but still handy enough and on plenty of bus routes (and the tram line, when they finish building it).
  • '''Express By Holiday Inn Edinburgh Waterfront'''[http://www.ichotelsgroup.com], Britannia Way, Ocean Drive, 0870 400 9670. No surprises here either. Good location next to the Ocean Terminal shopping centre.
  • '''Hot-el-Apartments''', 0131 554 2721 [http://www.hot-el-apartments.com/]. Leith waterfront serviced apartments. Beautifully located with good transport links to city centre. Brand new apartments and reasonably priced.
  • '''Pilrig Street''' and its northern extension '''Newhaven Road''' are home to a number of B&Bs. This is a convenient location in which to base yourself as it's an easy walk to the centre of Leith in one direction, and Edinburgh city centre in the other. Pilrig Street intersects with Leith Walk so there are plentiful buses nearby plus the tram line once it is completed.
  • Contact

    Area Code

    The dialling code for the whole of the Edinburgh area is 0131. To call from overseas, dial +44 131 XXX XXXX.

    Internet

  • '''Leith Library''', 28-30 Ferry Road, 0131 529 5517. PCs with free broadband internet access. Opens Mo - Thu 10AM- 8PM, Fri 10AM - 5PM, Sa 9AM- 1PM.
  • '''McDonald Road Library''', 2 McDonald Road (Just off Leith Walk), 0131 529 5636. Over 20 PCs with free internet access. Opens Mo & We 1AM-8PM, Tu, Th, Fri 10AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1PM-5PM/
  • Post Office

    Post Offices are available at the following locations
  • 119 Ferry Road.
  • 135 Great Junction Street.
  • 6b Constitution Street.
  • 207a Leith Walk.
  • 210 Newhaven Road.
  • 10 Newhaven Road.
  • Media

  • '''BBC'''[http://www.bbc.co.uk/edinburghandeastscotland/content/articles/2008/04/04/leith_feature.shtml] Leith Microsite.
  • '''Leith FM'''[http://www.leithfm.co.uk/] 98.8 FM. Community radio station serving the Leith area.
  • '''lei''the''r'''[http://theleither.biz/]. Slightly irreverent (like its catchment area!) Leith-centric magazine with news, listings, articles, reviews etc. Free. Pick up the latest edition from shops, bars and cafes throughout Leith, or read it online before your visit to get a flavour of what will be happening when you get here.