News you can trust since 1873
BREAKING
Every independent burgh. needs its own coat of arms and Leith was no different. Granted on Feburary 27, 1889, the coat of arms bears the famous "Persevere" motto. The coat of arms can still be seen all over Leith today.Every independent burgh. needs its own coat of arms and Leith was no different. Granted on Feburary 27, 1889, the coat of arms bears the famous "Persevere" motto. The coat of arms can still be seen all over Leith today.
Every independent burgh. needs its own coat of arms and Leith was no different. Granted on Feburary 27, 1889, the coat of arms bears the famous "Persevere" motto. The coat of arms can still be seen all over Leith today.

Edinburgh retro: 11 things you will find in Leith to remind you the old port was once independent of Edinburgh

Overs a century has gone by since the burgh of Leith was amalgamated with the city of Edinburgh – but sharp-eyed locals can still find plenty of clues that the famous old port was once independent of the Capital.
Gary Flockhart
By Gary Flockhart
Published 16th Nov 2022, 09:04 GMT
Updated 10th Aug 2023, 17:37 GMT

The passing of the controversial 1920 Edinburgh Boundaries Extension and Tramways Act saw Auld Reekie fuse together with the old port and four Midlothian parishes to the south.

Leithers were passionate about the sovereignty of their town and voted overwhelmingly in favour of remaining separate from Edinburgh in two plebiscites held over the course of 1920.

Nevertheless, the boundaries act went through.

Here, we look at 11 remnants that serve as a reminder of the days when Leith was an independent burgh in its own right.

Nevertheless, the boundaries act went through.

Leith had its own distinct ornate lamp columns, which were emblazoned with the town's coat of arms and motto. Several examples of these columns can still be found around the Leith Shore area.

9. Lamp columns

Leith had its own distinct ornate lamp columns, which were emblazoned with the town's coat of arms and motto. Several examples of these columns can still be found around the Leith Shore area. Photo: Contributed

Photo Sales
This stone relief on premises formerly belonging to the Leith Provident Co-operative Society can be seen today on Dalmeny Street. The Leith Provident was founded in 1878 and had its own Edinburgh merger a century later, becoming part of the Capital's St Cuthbert's Co-op, which was one of the largest in the UK's co-operative industry.

10. Leith Provident

This stone relief on premises formerly belonging to the Leith Provident Co-operative Society can be seen today on Dalmeny Street. The Leith Provident was founded in 1878 and had its own Edinburgh merger a century later, becoming part of the Capital's St Cuthbert's Co-op, which was one of the largest in the UK's co-operative industry. Photo: Contributed

Photo Sales
Leith and Edinburgh adhered to separate alcohol licensing laws. One Leith Walk pub, the Boundary Bar (now Bier Hoose), straddled the dividing line between the burghs, meaning drinkers could spill over to the Leith side at 9.30pm sharp to enjoy an extra half hour of revelry.

11. Boundary Bar (former)

Leith and Edinburgh adhered to separate alcohol licensing laws. One Leith Walk pub, the Boundary Bar (now Bier Hoose), straddled the dividing line between the burghs, meaning drinkers could spill over to the Leith side at 9.30pm sharp to enjoy an extra half hour of revelry. Photo: Contributed

Photo Sales
Previous
3 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:EdinburghMidlothian