Zoning in on Leith, Edinburgh It's been a joy to watch the area reinvent itself'

"Leith is Edinburgh's port district, where people, goods and new ideas have flowed into the city for centuries. Here, the Water of Leith river meets the sea, and on bright days, when pubs and restaurants spill out to the Shore area, there's nowhere quite like it. I moved here 13 years ago, and it has been a joy to watch the area evolve and reinvent itself. Today it's the city's creative heart, full of artists, musicians, designers and startups, with a thriving food and drink"

"Although the Leith immortalised in Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting is long gone, to call it fully gentrified would be failing to pay attention. Two recent campaigns, both successful, have galvanised locals: one to stop Waterstones opening near the independent Argonaut Books; and the other to return the benches used by day-drinkers on the Kirkgate, which had been removed by the council. There's space for both in Leith. What keeps me here is the strong, village-like community spirit, paired with the ever-changing energy of a city."

"Leith's food and drink ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants to community cafes, old-men's pubs to smart cocktail bars. Over the past few years there has been a flurry of openings that mirror the creativity of the area. Leith has the perfect mix of old and new: places that have been here for decades, and new energy coming through, says chef Barry Bryson. It's multicultural, rich and varied, and serves a community of diners, not just one demographic."

Leith sits where the Water of Leith meets the sea and the Shore comes alive when pubs and restaurants spill onto the waterfront. The area has evolved into Edinburgh's creative heart, housing artists, musicians, designers, startups and a varied food and drink scene, aided by a tramline arrival in 2023. Local campaigns preserved independent bookshops and returned removed benches, reflecting persistent community activism amid change. The neighborhood balances village-like community spirit with urban energy, offering community gardening, galleries, gigs and a food scene ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to long-standing local pubs and cafes.

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