Leith

For hundreds of years Leith was a port town and separate from the City of Edinburgh (which it only joined in 1920) and that commercial and industrial past has left its mark on the area. Leith has an attitude like nowhere else in the city. Indeed, it still has a stubborn, independent streak to this day.

The dockers and shipyards may now be mostly gone, but recent gentrification has seen families, young professionals, immigrants and students move to the area. Today you’ll be spoilt for choice with artisan cafes, bakeries and bars, fine dining and independent shops - not to mention an active creative scene.

Gritty, vibrant and changing for the better - just be careful not to run into Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting character Begbie.

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Leith Depot

Address
140 Leith Walk
Website
Visit Website

The three owners of Leith Depot are musicians, who used to rehearse next door. When the lease came up for this space they jumped at the chance of transforming what was then ‘the worst pub in the city’ into this bar and live music venue. The beer is cold, the food is excellent, so pull up a chair and watch the world go by.

On the menu is a surprisingly varied and international selection of bar snacks and main meals, with vegetarians and vegan customers well catered for. Their homemade veggie burger, complete with beer battered onion rings and sweet potato wedges, is a popular offering - while the black pudding bonbons hit the spot.

Recently, Stead’s Place that houses Leith Depot was almost demolished to make way for a five story monstrosity. After years of campaigning by the Save Leith Walk group, the city council finally unanimously voted against the demolition, so the 1920s sandstone building would stay.

Approaching it’s fifth birthday, Leith Depot is here for good. We hope!

Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Leith Depot
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Lioness of Leith

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