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Historically Leith and Edinburgh were separate, but growth over the centuries means that Leith and Edinburgh now form a contiguous urban area. Leith merged with Edinburgh in ] following a referendum (in which the people of Leith overwhelimingly rejected the merger!). Historically Leith and Edinburgh were separate, but growth over the centuries means that Leith and Edinburgh now form a contiguous urban area. Leith merged with Edinburgh in ] following a referendum (in which the people of Leith overwhelimingly rejected the merger!).


Leith has a long and prominent role in Scottish history. As the major port access to Edinburgh, Leith has served as the stagin point for many of Scottish history's significant events. Mary Queen of Scots's mother - Mary of Guise - ruled Scotland from Leith, as Regent for her daughter in 1560. At that time the Scottish Court was situated in Leith. The Regency ended in disaster with French Catholic troops being ousted by Scottish forces aided by English protestant troops. The following year MAry Queen of Scots arrived in Leith to begin her ill-fated six year reign. Leith has a long and prominent role in Scottish history. As the major port access to Edinburgh, Leith has served as the stagin point for many of Scottish history's significant events. Mary Queen of Scots's mother - Mary of Guise - ruled Scotland from Leith, as Regent for her daughter in 1560. At that time the Scottish Court was situated in Leith. The Regency ended in disaster with French Catholic troops being ousted by Scottish forces aided by English protestant troops. The following year Mary Queen of Scots arrived in Leith to begin her ill-fated six year reign.


About a century later Leith was both a battleground and ultimately headquarters for ] forces. An archway of the old ''Leith Citadel'' stands as the only remnant of extensive Cromwellian fortifications forced upon Leith following the move north of a ] army. About a century later Leith was both a battleground and ultimately headquarters for ] forces. An archway of the old ''Leith Citadel'' stands as the only remnant of extensive Cromwellian fortifications forced upon Leith following the move north of a ] army.

Revision as of 22:07, 3 September 2005

This article is about Leith, Scotland; see also other places called Leith.
File:Britannia2-750.jpeg
Former Royal Yacht "Britannia" is permanently moored at Leith harbour.

Leith is a town at the mouth of the Water of Leith and is the port of Edinburgh, Scotland. It lies on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, in the unitary local authority of City of Edinburgh.

History

Historically Leith and Edinburgh were separate, but growth over the centuries means that Leith and Edinburgh now form a contiguous urban area. Leith merged with Edinburgh in 1920 following a referendum (in which the people of Leith overwhelimingly rejected the merger!).

Leith has a long and prominent role in Scottish history. As the major port access to Edinburgh, Leith has served as the stagin point for many of Scottish history's significant events. Mary Queen of Scots's mother - Mary of Guise - ruled Scotland from Leith, as Regent for her daughter in 1560. At that time the Scottish Court was situated in Leith. The Regency ended in disaster with French Catholic troops being ousted by Scottish forces aided by English protestant troops. The following year Mary Queen of Scots arrived in Leith to begin her ill-fated six year reign.

About a century later Leith was both a battleground and ultimately headquarters for Cromwell forces. An archway of the old Leith Citadel stands as the only remnant of extensive Cromwellian fortifications forced upon Leith following the move north of a roundhead army.

The remains of the battlefield are now a park called the Leith Links and the grassy mounds mark former cannon emplacement earthworks. This was also where the earliest record of golf is found - being the subject of a ban by King James II in 1457 as it interfered with the more useful sport of archery. The links are the site of an early five hole golf course built in the 18th century. Leith bolsters its claim to being "the home of golf" because the official rules of golf that were initially formulated at Leith in 1744 by the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, were then later adopted by St Andrews.

During the American war of independence John Paul Jones, a Scotsman who is credited as founder of ther US Navy, led a flotilla of three former French vessels against Leith. The heavily armed warships were, reputedly, repulsed by appaling weather. Leith built fortifications after this event to prevent any repeat threat to the port and to Edinburgh. Part of Leith is still known as "The Fort" to this day, although all of the 18th Century biuldings, save a gatehouse, are long since gone.

The docks at Leith underwent severe decline in the post Second World War period, with the area gaining a reputation for roughness and prostitution. In recent years Leith has undergone significant regeneration and is now a busy port with visits from cruise liners and the home of the Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal, and administrative headquarters of the Scottish Executive. The council and government's 'Leith Project' provided a further economic boost. The shore area of Leith, once seedy, is now a centre for a range of new pubs and restaurants in charming surroundings.

Other points of interest

Leith is home to Hibernian FC, who play at the Easter Road ground.

Many of Irvine Welsh's books, most famously his debut novel Trainspotting, are partly set in Leith.

The Proclaimers had a hit with "Sunshine on Leith" describing the saviour of the football team they support Hibernian Football Club.

The Pop Artist and sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi came from Leith.

Grand Theft Auto computer game developers Rockstar North are based in Leith.

Notable streets in Leith

Constitution Street | Great Junction Street | Leith Walk | Timber Bush


The Newtown of Leith

After the troubles in the post war era, Leith began to see redevelopment of the port area, initially because The Scottish Office, a government department - now the Scottish Executive - purchased a low cost site for one of its civil service offices. This in turn led to further service and tourist development including the Ocean Terminal complex and the permanently moored Royal Yacht Britannia.

The newtown of Leith is in the docklands, and is expected completed by about 2020. Ocean Terminal is the first sign of a new Leith. 70 shops, restaurants and a cinema, and within four years of it opening, it already needs to be extended. An entertainment complex and a water sports complex are intended for the Western Harbour quay as well as a cruise liner terminal. The western edge of the harbour is a luxury new residential area designed by Robert Adam (not the same one that designed Edinburgh's newtown!), featuring Platinum Point, the Element, a fitness centre, and later, a central park surrounded by narrow streets and grand crescents and avenues. All of this will take between 10-15 years to complete.

The Dock plans are not as well developed as the Western Harbour is. Alexandra Dry Dock, Victoria Dock, Prince of Wales Dock, Albert Dock and Edinburgh Dock are all expected to remain.

External link

http://www.edinburgh-forthside.co.uk/forthside/

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