History of Leith, Edinburgh

Leith was part of Edinburgh, became separate and rejoined in 1920. Technically becomes Leith a bit down Leith Walk, the real centre is the Foot of the Walk at the junction with Great Junction Street. (more…)

This contingent of Fife Officers were seconded to assist Leith Police during the dock strike in August 1913. The officer second from left in the front row is Constable, later Sergeant James Peebles. He was an ardent member of the Police Federation and gave evidence to the Royal Commission on Police Terms and Conditions of Service in 1919. Mr. Peebles later became Provost of Auchtermuchty.

From Fife Constabulary website at http://www.fife.police.uk/Police_History/phistory1912-1920.htm

Several authorities cite the ‘secrecy’ of the Freemasons for the ‘absence’ of early Scottish golf history records, particularly of the Royal Burgess, but the argument and evidence for these claims are weak. The main reason that the members of early golf clubs were Freemasons was because virtually all middle class men of ability in Scotland in the century after 1717 were Freemasons from senior law officers to skilled artisans as well as poets and writers. (Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott were masons). This was apparently because, from 1717, the Scottish ‘stonemason’ Freemasons, called Operative Masons, began to allow merchants and professional people, termed Speculative Masons, to join Lodges or create their own. This practice spread elsewhere in the world. For example, in France Voltaire became a Mason as did George Washington who was buried with full Masonic honours in America.

For more information go to the link on the rhs

The earliest record. of a Municipal Fire Brigade in Leith is contained in the General Fire Regulations for the Fire Engine Department of the town of Leith, dated 1837.
The following extracts from the above regulations make most interesting reading.

For more information go to the link on the rhs

A fascinating history with excellent photos, reminding us of a time when PC stood for Police Constable and not some modern, lunatic concept. The Leith and Edinburgh police are much in evidence here, the former always being associated with that well-known tongue twister “The Leith police dismisseth us.” Having a driver say that several times could be even better than a breathalyser test. Illustrations show not only individuals and groups but also dress, headgear, rank insignia, medals, shoulder/collar titles, handcuffs, truncheons, and whistles. Apart from giving the background history the author also gives us accounts of various incidents and events such as murder cases, capture of a German spy in Edinburgh in WWII, shooting of the Assistant Chief Constable in July 1940 and other cases. There are lists of the recipients of the Police Long Service Medal, both regular force and special constabulary

For more information go to the link on the rhs

Wondering how to fill in the gaps in your family tree? Perhaps you want to know if someone else is working on a different part of your family that may complete yours? Or even if you have relations that you know nothing about. If you wish please send your family tree to [email protected] and I will post it onto my website at www.lineages.co.uk in order that the information is shared by everyone and who knows we may bring whole families together again.

Thousands of spectators are expected to line the Royal Mile and congregate around the Parliament and its neighbour Our Dynamic Earth, for Saturday’s Opening of the new Scottish Parliament building by Her Majesty The Queen.

10 AUGUST 2004. THE DEBATING CHAMBER AT THE SITE OF THE NEW SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT COMPLEX AT HOLYROOD, EDINBURGH. PIC-ADAM ELDER/SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT. PHOTOGRAPH(C)2004 SCOTTISH PARLIAMENTARY CORPORATE BODY.

The streets around Holyrood in Edinburgh will come alive with entertainment from a range of colourful top performers – including fire eaters, stilt walkers, pipers and drummers. (more…)

The person putting on the concert was a J.C.MACCALL who sometimes worked as a comedian and was my grandfather.

MRS. M MITCHELL

(Iam very gratefull to Mrs M.Mitchell for sending me this poster as it is on this that the history of the town is built. Not only on great events but the small events that shape all ours lives. If there is more material like this out there I would more the pleased to post it and acknowledge the source as this is important before the history of Leith is lost forever)

It so happens I had personal experience of seeing and speaking to some of these Repatriated British POW`s, they were part of an exchange UK/German scheme organised by the Red Cross, two Swedish passenger/hospital ships, one of which was the s.s. Kungsholm, the other, s.s. Gripsholm, brought the contingent into the Firth of Forth, anchored in Leith Roads, Tenders brought the men, bandaged or on crutches,into Leith and entrained them at the West Pier, close to the now defunct Henry Robb Shipyard, for dispersal in other parts of UK.

My fortuitous meeting, purely by accident, occurred quite close to my home, on a side stretch of railway line near Newhaven station, long since closed, at that time it conveyed traffic from Leith Docks to Edinburgh Princess Street, Caledonian Station and beyond: Passing over a bridge in Craighall Road a garage owner called me over to indicate the long train of coaches, all with Red Crosses boldly painted on sides and roof, what little I remember of the exchanged greetings with those in earshot were of happy smiling faces, and asking where they were, security was very real and harsh in those days, within a short time the train pulled away, the passengers therein no doubt eagerly waiting to meet up with their families.

A somewhat fleeting glimpse of history in the making, not a lot but I am happy to pass same along.

WLH…2004

(Short article by WLH suggested by michael coughlan from his comment on this site “I suggest you should have something on the return of the repatriated POWs in October 1943, mostly heroes from the defence of Dunkirk and fliers. ” Indeed they were heroes and to whom this nation owes a great debt for protecting the freedoms we now enjoy. We must never forget. JSA)

This cheque was issued to the Rev James Scott of Junction Road Church in 1931 and is a very rare example of the type cheque issued at the time