After wowing visitors in London and Liverpool, the extraordinary Dazzle Ship project has moved to Scotland, with a brand new commission by Turner Prize-nominated artist Ciara Phillips lighting up Leith as part of Edinburgh Art Festival 2016. Continue reading Be DAZZLED in Leith
A ‘significant amount’ of Class A and B drugs have been recovered in Leith following an intelligence led operation.
Officers from the Edinburgh division proactive unit executed separate warrants on Thursday at addresses in Great Junction Street and Pilrig Heights. A subsequent search resulted in the seizure of a substantial amount of cocaine, heroin and cannabis worth an estimated street value of £66,500. Continue reading Two face court following ‘significant’ drugs haul
HIBS VICTORY PARADE DETAILS
Sunshine on Leith today!
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost has congratulated Hibernian Football Club on their historic Scottish Cup win and given the go-ahead on plans for a public celebration (last night’s celebrations were unofficial!) Continue reading Glory, glory to the Hibees!
Further evidence of human remains thought to date back to the 17th Century or even earlier have been unearthed by archaeologists in a Leith school playground.
The outlines of at least nine coffins have been identified in the grounds of St Mary’s Primary School in Leith as part of an excavation by Morrison Construction in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council.
The findings follow the discovery on an individual skeleton over the Easter break while investigative works took place for a new classroom building.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The new information coming from the site is proving to be even more significant than previously thought.
“The school community has been very interested in the excavation and the findings. The children have been eager to learn about the new discoveries and as the excavation continues, we’ll find out more about the former inhabitants of Leith.”
John Lawson, City of Edinburgh Council Archaeologist, added: “Leith and the surrounding area has a rich archaeological history. These excavations have unearthed what appears to be a complex cemetery thought to date from the 15th to the 17th centuries, containing at least nine graves including adults and young children buried in coffins.
“The discoveries of these burials in this location, although always a possibility, is nevertheless a surprise. Further excavations will reveal more evidence which will allow us to accurately date these burials and how they relate to the history of Leith.”
The area containing the remains has been fenced off but the school remains open. The new classrooms will still be built but will no longer open in time for the new school term due to further necessary archaeological analysis, expected to last until the end of June. All existing and new pupils will be accommodated.
“It’s an honour for me to be able to support this organisation and indeed this community, both of whom I admire.” – Irvine Welsh
The Junction – Young People, Health & Well-being is a Leith based charity offering support to young people living in North East Edinburgh. Irvine Welsh was born in Leith and grew up in North East Edinburgh which gives him an understanding of the challenges these young people may face. Continue reading Healthy Respect: Junction patron Irvine Welsh drops in
Edinburgh North & Leith MP Deidre Brock has called for the disused Pelamis Building in Leith docks to be converted into film studios and production facilities. Continue reading Brock calls for film studio in Leith
You are cordially invited to the 2016 Edinburgh Community Food annual general meeting. Continue reading A seat at the table: Edinburgh Community Food AGM
£eith Decides launches with marketplace event tomorrow
Leith Neighbourhood Partnership is asking the good folk of sunny Leith to decide how a fund of over £22,000 should be spent on projects that benefit the local community. Continue reading £eith Decides!
A mural art map of Leith has been produced for residents and visitors to take a tour of mural art in the area as part of the LeithLate Festival15.
The map, funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, will feature the following murals and artists:
· Leith History Mural by Tim Chalk & Paul Grime, by Leith Library
· Swanfield Mill Mural by David Wilkinson, Bonnington Road
· Eduardo Paolozzi Mural by Russell Ian Dempster, Henderson Street
· Untitled Mural by Tim Chalk, opposite Links View House, Tollbooth Wynd
· Leith Dockers Club Mural by Tom Ewing, Academy Street
· The Leith Aquatic Mural by Blameless Collective, Halmyre Street
Cllr Frank Ross, Convener of the Economy Committee, said: “This is a great opportunity for residents and visitors to learn about Leith’s mural history, past and present.
“We are supporting this project as part of our work on our ‘Building Stronger Town Centres’ programme and we are committed to the economic growth of Leith which includes nurturing it as a creative hub. I would encourage anyone interested to pick up a map and go on a tour as Leith is steeped in history, has many other hidden gems and is packed full of interesting shops, cafes and restaurants.”
Morvern Cunningham of LeithLate, said: “I’m thrilled to present these tours as part of the LeithLate15 festival, which aims to bring more contemporary art onto the streets of Leith. The tour includes two modern murals facilitated by LeithLate, as well as one not by us, alongside a number of historic murals that were produced in Leith in the 1980s. We’ve researched the background to all the murals involved and hope that participants find the information contained in the guides interesting and useful.”
*Please note that the organised tours with the artists are now sold out.
