Board School, Leith

Category

Library Item

Item no

5327

Title

Board School, Leith

Date

1924

Size

23 x 29.5 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

A striking Edinburgh School Board building in Duke Street, Leith. Originally built in 1862 as the John Watt Hospital for Aged Poor, it looked after the welfare of destitute men and women. At some point between 1901-5 however the building became a school run by the Edinburgh School Board. Leith Academy (the high school) was operating just across the road in what was to later become Leith Primary School. The John Watt building however was demolished to make way for the construction of a larger school to house Leith Academy around 1928.

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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