Laying of the foundation stone of Leith Academy

Category

Library Item

Item no

5321

Title

Laying of the foundation stone, new secondary school, Leith Academy

Description

A large crowd, many sheltering under umbrellas, watches the laying of the foundation stone of the Edinburgh School of Leith Academy. Behind the ceremonial area are girders with ladders leaning against them.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1928

Size

23.5 x 29 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 - "This is a great picture to come across, it is the laying of the foundation stone for 'Leithy', sorry I should say Leith Academy School where I had a great time but it sticks in my mind because whilst I was at school some scally had written on the stone just under the usual this stone was laid by, then put a Hen !" Tony Singh.

Leith Academy took on this name in 1888, but the history of the school stretches back well into the 16th century. The school, initially known as Leith Grammar, was housed at various locations in the area until a purpose built schoolhouse was erected on the west side of Leith Links in 1806. This building was demolished around 1896 and replaced by larger premises on the same site, designed by George Craig. This building, completed in 1898, now houses Leith Primary. An increasing intake of students forced the school to move again to a new building on Duke Street, completed in 1931. This site was in turn abandoned for a new building on Academy Park, immediately to the east of Easter Road, which opened in 1991.

The artist given for this photograph is 'Colthart'. It is possible that this has been misspelt and the artist is either J. R. Coltart or James Coltart.

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

Architecture > Architectural features > Girders

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Umbrellas

Events > Ceremonies > Laying of foundation stone

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh