Paid commissions up for grabs for ideas to celebrate Leith's 900th anniversary amid UK Town of Culture bid

Three paid commissions are up for grabs for Leith projects celebrating a huge milestone for the town.

The historic neighbourhood will be marking its 900th anniversary in 2028 and residents are being invited to submit their ideas on how to celebrate the big occasion.

Three commissions, worth £3,000 each, are now up for grabs and ideas are being welcomed in the form of writing, by voice note or short video.

Leith hasn't always been a part of Edinburgh, but it is now many local's favourite place to live! The historic port area is home to many cool cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as the picturesque Water of Leith Walkway. The lively area was even named one of the top five “coolest” places in the world by Time Out Magazine in 2021. | Jolene Campbell

Ideas may take inspiration from Leith’s cultural background, including food, music, sport, and street art, from its history including shipbuilding, or from everyday aspects of community life. Organisers have also said that no venue is off limits for ideas, with everything from church halls, kitchens, a stage or a pub being considered.

The successful commissions are set to be staged in January and February 2027 to mark one year until Leith’s big birthday.

The project is being run by Leith Culture Partnership, the group behind the neighbourhood's UK Town of Culture bid.

Susie Gray and Jenny Mungall, co-directors of Leith Culture Partnership, said: “Culture isn't something Leith is short of – it's all around us. In the pubs, the bowling clubs, the church halls, the streets, artists spaces and renowned kitchens, and it has been for 900 years.

“This call is about finding the people who can tell our story brilliantly and backing them. We want ideas from everyone, locals with things to say and dreams for Leith and those who have been captivated by Leith’s character and spirit far and wide.”

Ideas can be submitted via email at [email protected] or via the Leith2028 Instagram page. Submissions must be submitted by the end of the day on Friday, November 6.

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Leith is currently in the running to be named as the UK’s first Town of Culture for 2028, which would coincide with its 900th anniversary celebrations should the Edinburgh town win the bid.

If Leith is chosen, “bigger opportunities” could be in the pipeline for successful commissions, with the winning town set to receive a £3,000,000 grant to develop and deliver a programme of cultural activities and events.

Organisers say that successful commissions could receive between £15,000 and £150,000 of the grant money to bring their celebration idea to fruition if the Town of Culture bid is successful.

Locals were recently invited to take part in a ‘Leith Imaginarium’ drop-in session where they could help shape the Town of Culture bid.

The Leith Imaginarium free drop-in session will be held at the Wee Museum of Memory in Ocean Terminal on Sunday, October 25, from 12pm until 4pm.