'A street in Newhaven'

Category

Library Item

Item no

5423

Title

'A street in Newhaven'

Description

Fishermen work with fishing nets between the houses in an alleyway in Newhaven, Edinburgh. The staircases and pantile roofs of the houses are visible as is washing which is drying between the buildings.

Artist / maker

White, James A.

Date

1956

Size

30.4 x 25.7 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

There had been a fishing community in Newhaven since the earliest times, but in 1505, King James IV selected it as the site to build the largest warship of the time, the 'Great Michael'. The natural bay area was chosen because of its proximity to Edinburgh and the waters were deeper than at the Port of Leith. It became known as New Haven, (haven meaning port or harbour).
After the Second World War, land was reclaimed from the sea and Leith Docks extended. The areas of Annfield Beach and Promenade were infilled.
By the 1950s, the housing needed modernisation and many homes were compulsorily purchases by the Edinburgh Corporation which started a redevelopment of the area in the 1960s and which continued into the 1970s. There idea was to provide a modern restoration which would keep the distinctive character of the village.
When the area was redeveloped, over 250 families were moved out different areas such as Pilton, Granton and Oxgangs. Newhaven was declared a Conservation Area in 1978, although most of the traditional architecture had disappeared and been replaced by new housing. The newer housing schemes incorporate names such as Great Michael Rise, and Great Michael Close to link to the area's heritage.

View Victoria Primary School's 2011 version of this image.

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Related subjects

Homes > Residential buildings > Houses

People > Agriculture and fisheries > Fishermen

Places > Edinburgh areas > Leith

Places > Edinburgh areas > Newhaven

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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