Leith is a short 10 minute bus ride from the centre of Edinburgh and is the city’s waterfront destination for shopping, eating and drinking.

The area was once its own separate area – known as a ‘Burgh’ – before it was officially swallowed up by the city of Edinburgh in 1933.

Leith has been an important part of Edinburgh throughout its history; essentially it was Edinburgh’s port. It is the site of some notable historic events - various battles - and was even the site of the Royal Court of Scotland during Mary Queen of Scots mother’s reign, Mary of Guise, as her daughter’s regent.

Today Leith is a place of bustling offices, galleries and fashionable restaurants, all situated amidst some truly wonderful architecture facing the water’s edge. Any visit to Edinburgh these days must include a short excursion to the area.

Leith was once a very deprived part of the UK, the area had drifted into industrial decline following the Second World War – Irvine Welsh, author of Trainspotting, was born and lived here – but today there is little evidence that this was ever the case.

You can dine in style along the waterfront, or even stay here in one of the few exceedingly good hotels, which also happen to have some very good cocktail bars open to the public. There’s even a two Michelin starred restaurant – Restaurant Martin Wishart – a far cry indeed from the days of bleak post-war decline and industrial hardship.

Shoppers should head to the Ocean Terminal Shopping complex for a wide variety of high street and boutique clothes stores and those of you interested in Royal history will be keen to take a look at the Royal Yacht Britannia, which has been moored here since it was decommissioned in 1999. It is open to the public so you can wonder the decks and take a peek inside the Royal Apartments on board – to get some idea of the truly luxurious surroundings that The Queen stayed in whilst on official state business.  

Leith is Edinburgh’s waterside gem, a bustling waterside work and play destination to rival any other major city in Europe. Don’t forget to pop over for a visit during your stay.