Leith

Leith is a district and historic port located northeast of Edinburgh’s city centre, at the mouth of the Water of Leith where it enters the Firth of Forth. It forms part of the city of Edinburgh and has long served as its primary harbour.

From medieval times it grew as Edinburgh’s main harbour for trade and shipbuilding, contributing to the area’s wealth and urban development. Leith functioned as a separate municipal burgh for several centuries before being incorporated into the City of Edinburgh in the early 20th century.

The waterfront, known as The Shore, has undergone extensive redevelopment since the late 20th century, with new housing, shops, and eateries, while the Ocean Terminal shopping centre provides a major retail hub. The Royal Yacht Britannia, moored in Leith Docks, operated as the Queen’s yacht from 1954 to 1997 and is now a major museum and visitor attraction.

Leith hosts historical sites such as Leith Links, a long-standing public park, and the Water of Leith Walkway, which runs through the district. Today Leith is a mixed-use area with a vibrant cultural scene, a growing residential base, and ongoing regeneration projects alongside its working harbour heritage.

Other places named Leith include Leith, North Dakota, United States.