Leith Lives

Margaret Gray was born in Leith in 1929 and spent her formative years there. Educated at Leith Academy Primary School, she recalls her friends, teachers and the day to day routines which were disrupted with the outbreak of World War II in 1939. Despite two attempts to evacuate from Leith, Margaret found herself back there in the midst of the wartime action, still a young girl.  Margaret's lived experience is testament to the circumstances of young Leithers back in the 1930s. Her memories are vivid and her stories fascinating, humorous and poignant. The Living Memory Association receives the recollections we hear without judgement or correction. On occasion you may hear events being described in language that was acceptable at the time.  Cover picture: Leith Academy Primary One Class, 1935. Margaret Gray is pictured on the second back row, fourth from the right. Interview recorded November, 2025. Thanks to Setuniman for use of their dreamy-loop track found on Freesound.org  

Jim Blaikie is a Leith poet and author, born in 1933, whose work draws deeply on the life, place, and dialect of his home. His best known work include A Laddie Looks at Leith, in which he captures memories, laughter and tears reflecting on what #Leith was like in his childhood. Join us in this nostalgic, lyrical journey, which celebrates the spirit of the Leith community and the power of the Scots language. Thanks to Setuniman for use of their dreamy-loop track found on Freesound.org

Rose Minto was born Rose McIntyre on March 13th 1920. She spent her first 14 years in Bridge Street in Leith. Bridge street is now known as Sandport Place. None of the buidings exist that Rose would have known. Aside from The Rose Leaf pub, known as The Black Swan in Rose's day. (see widescreen photo.) Rose had an amazing and detailed recall of her life. These are evocative memories of life in Leith in the 1920s and 30s. The streets, the backgreen, the crowded housing, the shops, the pawn brokers and offal butchers. The close community, poverty and complex family relationship. Rose paints a vivid, unsentimental picture of life 90 years. Recorded in 2008 when Rose was 88.

Andrew Grant was born in 1937 and attended Leith Nautical College in Commercial street from August 1953 to July 1954. He gives us a brief history of the college and then talks about the training he received. Also about being on board the training ship 'The Dolphin.' We hear about rowing across the Forth, the huge cost of buying a sextant and the evening ration of two biscuits and a lump of cheese. 

Archie Minto tells us what it was like growing up with right side hemiplegia a form of cerebral palsy in 1950s Leith. At a time when disabled children were often taken from their families and placed in special homes Archie's Mother and Father fought to keep him at home and have him educated at main stream school where he was fortunate to have dedicated teachers including Sister Columba. His Father worked hard to buy a home for his family and his Mother fought for everything she could to get the right help for her son. It is due to their strong characters and the support of his maternal family that he is the man he is today.

Gordon Munro ( Labour Councillor for Leith) has had a love of music from an early age His parents said he could play the record player before he could walk We'll hear some records from his collection and memories of gigs he attended in Edinburgh venues  Dr Feelgood in Leith Town Hall to the first Punk gig at Clouds to name but a few and most important meeting his wife whilst at The Valves Gig at the West End Club

In this episode of Leith Lives Maureen Sweeney tells of starting work in the office of Bond 9 on Commercial Street at the age of 17 Maureen recounts the lively atmosphere in the Bond where all the workers were given 'an official' a tot of whisky two times a day and if the ladies wanted lemonade it was an extra 6d ! After working for 3 years in the Bond Maureen moved to work in the Eastern General Hospital where along with paying out wages and pensions she had to help transport body parts !Maureen then takes us on a trip around the fine assortment of shops that existed in Leith at that time from Andersons the butcher for lovely mince to Stella Blacks for delicious vanilla slices and pies  

This episode was originally broadcast in 2019 on Thelma FM, our internet radio station. We were showing Derek Tilbrook's film Persevere during Leith Festival that year. Derek popped into the studio to talk about the making of the film, his own upbringing in Leith in the 1980s and 90s and the changing face of the area.            We can't recommend the film enough. For those who haven't it go along to the Vimeo video platform and search for 'Persevere 2008 film.' 

Originally broadcast on Thelma Internet radio Evelyn Whitfield reads a selection of articles from Old newspapers- The Evening News, Despatch, Leith Gazette, quotes from a series of booklets produced in the 1980s called Leith Lives and a book called Old Leith by Guthrie Hutton. We hear reports about Henry Robb's shipyard, Leith Links, golf, Hibs at Easter Road, Willie Merrilees, Leith Pageant, Lambs House and Edinburgh and Leith's old people's welfare council. Some memories stretching back to 1900. Interspersed with music and songs from old 78rpm records.

Originally broadcast on Thelma Internet radio Evelyn Whitfield reads a selection of articles from Old newspapers- The Evening News, Despatch, Leith Gazette, quotes from a series of booklets produced in the 1980s called Leith Lives and a book called Old Leith by Guthrie Hutton. Lots of school day memories from Cooper Street, David Kilpatrick, North Fort Street and Leith Academy schools. We hear reports about Henry Robb's shipyard, Leith Links, golf, Hibs at Easter Road, Willie Merrilees, Leith Pageant, Lambs House and Edinburgh and Leith's old people's welfare council. Some memories stretching back to 1900. Interspersed with music and songs from old 78rpm records.