Old Hostelry, Kirkgate, Leith (demolished)

Category

Library Item

Item no

5214

Title

Old Hostelry, Kirkgate, Leith (demolished)

Description

An image of a group of buildings on the Kirkgate in Leith, Edinburgh. The Old Hostelry is in the middle and appears to have been shut down as its doors are boarded up. To its right are D Richardson, a fishmonger and a butcher. Coffee rooms occupy the building to the left. All the buildings are somewhat rundown. There are several barefooted children on the street as well as a man and two ladies with feathered hats. A horse and cart are standing at the side of the road.

Artist / maker

McKean, John

Date

1895

Size

16.5 x 21.5 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

This image has been chosen for the Edinburgh - Past and Present Exhibition by Tony Singh Head Chef and co-founder of Oloroso restaurant - "Kirkgate always was a shopping area and always will be in my head" Tony Singh.

Kirkgate in Leith continues north from the northern end of Leith Walk. It was redeveloped in the mid 1960's to form a pedestrianised area including a shopping centre and housing. Vestiges of the old Kirkgate remain in the form of South Leith Parish Church and Trinity House, both dating from the first half of the 19th century.

Leith is situated in the north of Edinburgh where the Water of Leith joins the Firth of Forth. It has acted as Edinburgh's maritime connection for many centuries, and continues to be one of the UK's busiest ports. It was incorporated into Edinburgh in 1920 having previously been a separate burgh. It is now home to the Scottish Executive's main offices, Edinburgh's Sikh temple, the Royal Yacht Britannia and Ocean Terminal, a large shopping and entertainment complex.

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Related subjects

Business > Service industry > Shops

Homes > Derelict buildings and excavation sites > Disrepair (homes)

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Sport and leisure > Eating and drinking facilities > Public houses

Transport > Land > Carts and wagons

(55°58′15″N, 3°10′20″W)

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