Customs House, Leith

Category

Library Item

Item no

5193

Title

Customs House, Leith

Description

A view of the impressive entrance to the Custom House in Edinburgh. Steps on either side lead up to a balustraded area in front of the doorway. Two fluted columns support the large decorated pediment. An old-fashioned car is parked in front of the building and a man is walking along the pavement.
This is a photograph by a member of the Edinburgh Photographic Society.

Artist / maker

Knox, J.

Date

1955

Size

21.6 x 16.5 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

Leith Custom House was built by Robert Reid between 1810-1812. It was the venue for the collection of duty payable on goods imported through Leith. The building is situated on Commercial Street.

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 > Balustrades

Architecture > Architectural features > Columns

Government > National > Customhouses

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Transport > Land > Cars