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Fury over Leith snub as docks rebranded Edinburgh Harbour

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Published Date: 10 December 2008
FORTH Ports has been accused of snubbing Leith after deciding to rebrand the redevelopment of the docks area as "Edinburgh Harbour".
Entrepreneur and Leither Sir Tom Farmer said: "I'm amazed that they have chosen this name. Leith is the oldest port in Scotland and has a great name all over the world. It's incredible that they've chosen to ignore this."

Mary Moriarty, landlady of the Port o' Leith pub, said: "A lot of people have told Forth Ports they don't want this name used."

And Roland Reid, secretary of Leith Central community council, said: "Leith has such a wonderful history and it's a shame they've not chosen a name to reflect that." It is the first phase of a 30-year transformation comprising parks, 15,000 homes and restaurants.

The company said the name reflected the fact the development would have an impact on the whole of Edinburgh.





The full article contains 157 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 10 December 2008 12:42 PM
  • Source: Edinburgh Evening News
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Forth Ports
 
1

elayne,

10/12/2008 12:24:08
edinburgh harbour my bum!its always been leith and always will
2

Grumpy,

10/12/2008 12:24:25
Simple solution - just keep referring to Leith and ignore what Forth Ports call it. If visitors ask where Edinburgh Docks are, point them to St Margaret's Loch in Holyrood Park (in Edinburgh)
3

Cappo Del Monte,

10/12/2008 12:25:00
They should call it hooker harbour and move all the lovely ladies of the nite along to the lovely new housing estates, am sure mm would welcome them all back for drinks
4

Bigwull,

edinburgh 10/12/2008 12:29:32
Leith, No More
5

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 10/12/2008 12:32:03
#2:

LOL!! Good one! I can just see all the Japanese and Yank tourists milling round Holyrood Park now... Trying to find the Royal Yacht Britannia or wondering why there are no big ships in for them to look at!

Hilarious!
6

Eighteen Seventy-Four,

10/12/2008 12:33:31

Edinburgh Harbour sounds better.
7

FreddieIII,

Edinburgh 10/12/2008 12:34:48
Leith is in Edinburgh, so why not call the pot black when it is black. Edinburgh is known internationally while Leith is not. From Wikipeadia Leith ''is a district in the north of the city of Edinburgh at the mouth of the Water of Leith and is the port of Edinburgh, Scotland.''
8

Foo,

10/12/2008 12:35:19
#5 - No offence, but you must have a relatively simple sense of humour.

I'd say Leith has pretty much become part of Edinburgh, so I'd agree with the name.
9

Justy,

Edinburgh 10/12/2008 12:36:50
Another example of Edinburgh's encroachment and Forth Port's arrogance. The Docks are in the city of Leith and should be reffered to as such. LONG LIVE LEITH!!!!!

Justy.
10

elayne,

10/12/2008 12:39:58
#7 i take it you are not from leith? leithers have just as proud a tradition as edinburgh people,and just as varied and interesting history,and leith was a town in its own right,it was only "a district in the north of city of edinburgh"post 1920(it had full independance from 1833 until 1920 when amalgamation took place)
11

Randan,

10/12/2008 12:40:33
Get over it, Leith has been part a minor smelly part of Edinburgh for 80 odd years.
12

Ecto,

10/12/2008 12:41:15
#7 Learn some history! Leith was separate from Edinburgh and has only been swallowed up relatively recently. Thats akin to saying we should refer to Scotland as North Britain!
13

Here we go again,

10/12/2008 12:41:42
Outside SE Scotland - who has ever heard of Leith? A good decision for all the right reasons.
14

Foo,

10/12/2008 12:44:16
#9: Scotland has no city of Leith.

Scotland has 6 cities; Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and Stirling.

For more information:
http://www.visitscotland.com/guide/where-to-go/cities/
15

Jambos,

Edinburgh 10/12/2008 12:49:49
Get over yourselves...Leith is a district in Edinburgh (unfortunately). It's not a separate town, it's not a reknown port anymore. Why would you even want to be associated with a very, VERY scummy part of the city? I think this desire to cling onto Leith is more to do with the type of people that reside there than any knowledge of history, etc.
16

Unimpressed one,

10/12/2008 12:50:16
#4, Thought you were going to burst into song with that well-known Proclaimer's number.
17

D Heid ,

10/12/2008 13:01:59
how the heck can you say snubs leith??, its still in leith its the name of the blinking dock/area its going to be called, did you create as much fuss about western harbour or granton harbour?. Usual Evening News trying to make a story out of nothing! we are all apart of edinburgh no matter if its leith, gorgie etc

18

FreddieIII,

10/12/2008 13:02:34
#10, #12, mon ami. "Leith was separate from Edinburgh and has only been swallowed up relatively recently." Was is the the key word, now it is a district just like Crammond and Broughton - all former villages like Leith once was. Leith has been part of the fine City of Edinburgh for many years. Incidentally, do you think the people who will buy into the development at Edinburgh Harbour will be from Leith - methinks they will almost to a man be from outwith the area.
19

JT,

10/12/2008 13:04:12
Its like all the developments down there, why call it a fancy name,it doesnt hide where it is. We all know where it is LEITH! and it should remain LEITH docks.
20

SV650s,

10/12/2008 13:08:55
When my father worked in Leith docks in the 60's and 70's as a Ships Chandler it was fair to call it "Leith Docks". Now it is just a "redevelopment site"......so sad.
21

Bling Crosby,

Edinburgh 10/12/2008 13:13:51
everyone in Leith is a criminal and smells.

let them have their marina.
22

alec splode,

Edinburgh 10/12/2008 13:19:48
"Leith is the oldest port in Scotland and has a great name all over the world".

Eh..sorry Sir Tom - but it doesn't.
23

Foo,

10/12/2008 13:26:08
#10 - Normally I'm on your side, I really am!

But you said "until 1920 when amalgamation took place"

So, doesn't that mean it's part of Edinburgh now?
24

My opinions are my own, but no less valid,

10/12/2008 13:29:55
It's a foreign feeling to me, as a Gorgie person, but I must come out in favour of Leith on this issue.

Point the tourists who ask for Edinburgh Harbour to Fountainbridge where they have named the canal basin Edinburgh Quay. I'm waiting for the next cruise liner to dock there on it's way to the mysterious occident. (that's west).

On another note, isn't Elgin a city? Their football team name suggests that it is.

25

lunar jim,

edinburgh 10/12/2008 13:37:13
did any complain before?

The docks all separate names: Albert, Victoria, Edinburgh, Imperial are just a few. These names have been in use for well over a hundred years, I think this may be a bit of an over reaction by the EEN reporters.
26

Foo,

10/12/2008 13:37:55
Elgin!?


Hahaha.

No.
27

an auld Leither,

Leith 10/12/2008 13:42:02
As far as I am concerned Leith will always be Leith, it has its own history, and is my adopted home, and alwys will be
28

THE BPRENTICE,

10/12/2008 14:06:37
#12 Ecto - fantastic post ... totally agree.

I hate seeing govt. owned entities being "rebranded" - how much is THAT going to costing? How many man hours expended? Every pund should be a prisoner these days.

Calling the docks area "Edinburgh Harbour" might be technically acceptable but I think its morally wrong.
29

roadstohell,

10/12/2008 14:21:36
Oh come on, lets face it Edinburgh has a better ring to it, more upmarket altogether. And, remember it's "Edinburgh's" tram system, not leith's

30

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 10/12/2008 14:29:10
#8:

Lighten up Foo!

I was amused at the prospect of tourists looking for large ships in the middle Holyrood Park. I really couldn't care less what they call this place. Call it "Andrew" for all I care....
31

Cod,

10/12/2008 14:36:58
Stop Harbouring a grudge.
32

Cod,

10/12/2008 14:37:55
Tugboat Annie and her Big Bucket Hootenanny.
33

Phil the Flooter,

10/12/2008 14:53:58
Always Leith Docks, sailed out of there many times in the 70's did my Radar training and MN Officers Certificates at the college there so will all ways be Leith Docks to me

SSv650's I probably met your Dad-did he supply the Vickers Sub support Ships?
34

go boil ur heid,

10/12/2008 15:04:14
no22 maybe you should think before you write never heard of leith ontario named after the unknown town of leith to name a few
35

Cod,

10/12/2008 15:18:14
I'm having a nice Ham Shank in my soup tonight.
36

jdships,

Edinburgh 10/12/2008 15:30:14
22 alec splode,Edinburgh

Obviously you haven't travelled far around the world or spoken to people from other parts of the world .
Then you would know how well Leith is knoiwn.
37

Whiskey,

10/12/2008 15:48:15
#35 Cod.
Boy, that soup sounds good, are you inviting guests???
38

Cappo Del Monte,

10/12/2008 16:07:22
#35

Make sure the soup's cold, you dont want to burn youreself, although it should cut down on the salt costs ;-)
39

Spathiphyllum,

10/12/2008 16:25:24
Leith's a shithole.
40

Cod,

10/12/2008 16:46:55
I can't find a tin of Spam. Anywhere.
41

archie12,

10/12/2008 17:32:27
Strictly speaking, Edinburgh's traditional port was Port Hamilton at Fountainbridge NOT in Leith. Leith was a seafaring town and port in its own right with its own laws, council etc.. and, believe it or not, its own efficient electric TRAM system, years before Edinburgh even put in its own arachaic cable pulled trams.
42

elayne,

10/12/2008 17:55:10
#23 yes true,it is part of edinburgh,i beleive colinton and portobello also became part of edinburgh in same year,leith had a chance to spread eastwards in years preceding amalgamation,to encompass seafield and what is now craigintinny,but declined because of disagreement within leith town council

~41 the leith trams ended at shrubhill,the resulting confusion was know as "the pilrig muddle"

i suppose its because in a leither im biased so its always leith waterfront to me
43

Wee-yin,

LEITH 10/12/2008 17:59:52
Leith will always be Leith...lived here for 25 yrs(all my life!lol) and will never ever move.....saying Leith is edinburgh annoys me as much a saying im british....IM SCOTTISH!! I agree with #9 LONG LIVE LEITH!
44

James Collins,

Leith 10/12/2008 19:23:03
#13
I'm originally from Leeds. No Scottish roots and didn't know anyone from up here apart from someone from Aberdeen.

I knew of Leith. Everyone I have spoken to about where I now live, knows about Leith (including people in Devon and Midlands). Leith is known south of Newcastle.
45

EnEm,

EDINBURGH 10/12/2008 19:52:35
I don't get what they're being so precious about. So, it'll be Edinburgh Harbour in Leith. What's wrong with that? Leith will still be Leith.
46

Jennifer Tailya,

Nearer than you might like 10/12/2008 19:53:20
Leith has been a sore on the bum of the beautiful City of Edinburgh for far to long. Time to lance the boil and forever remove the cesspit within.
47

The Ayrshire Bard,

10/12/2008 20:05:58
Having lived in the south for 35 years I have always, and will always give my place of birth as Leith. My office was in Bnanana Row in Leith Docks which was a very busy place employing hundreds of men in a variety of jobs. Leith in my young days was a great place to live and don't forget it had 22 BB Companies and as many Scout and Guide troops. Leith was the home of true working class people but it seems that it is now the home of too many of the underclass. I doubt if I'd be happy to walk all the way on a dark night from Joppa along Seafield Road and Leith Links nowadays as I used to as a young man. As for Leith being unknown around the world, if my memory is correct the Falklands War started when the Argies moved into the old whaling port o'Leith.
True Leithers will never deny their heritage and will always remain proud of it.
48

Julian.,

edinburgh 10/12/2008 22:38:24
Foo,

Interesting point. But how about Duddingston or Corstorphine or Davidson Mains; are these villages or just parts of a city, or both?

I can see both sides to this argument.

How about Edinbugh Leith Docks...or does that just sound cr#p?
49

Arctic Ian,

Anchorage 11/12/2008 03:07:36
#7, quoting wikipedia just makes you a joke, maybe I'll go in there and edit it to say that Leith is the Capital of Scotland and Edinburgh, one of it's larger suburbs.
50

HMFC99,

Gargunnock 11/12/2008 09:54:02
#14

Foo - Scotland has more than 6 cities. A city is by definition any place with a catherdral. ie Dunblane, Elgin etc. Never belief what visitscotland tell you, after all, they employee people who don't have a clue about Scottish geography.

Long live Leith
51

moaning auld git,

auld reekie 11/12/2008 11:14:59
jings crivens help ma boab,its leith not edinburgh,trying to make the docks sound so middle class ,it must be the yachty,brigade,next they will want a posh marina and drive all those who,in theiropinion arent fit to be seen in the area away
look at granton harbour now full of snoots who 20 years ago wouldnty even get a bus through the area ,let alone live there
52

Noodle doodle,

City of Gorgie-Dalry 11/12/2008 11:55:25
What about brechin?

PS Do people from paisley get as wound up about the local airport being called 'glasgow'?
53

DTKDTK,

Lovely Leith 11/12/2008 12:54:42
Leith Docks will always be Leith Docks and Leith will always be Leith, not Edinburgh.
YLT
54

moaning auld git,

auld reekie 11/12/2008 13:47:12
maybe the board members are jambos ,as they are always moaning about the leith fitba team
or maybethey think a higher class of street workers will move in to service fat bloated toffs
ah chuck em in the harbour
what next the water of edinburgh instead of leith?
how about changing morningside to snootyside
or the grange to grunge
just a thought
55

LisaR,

Stuttgart 13/02/2009 15:13:04
#15 Wanting to call it Edinburgh Harbour confirms everything I think about the kind of people who live in Edinburgh these days. I grew up in Leith, but left Scotland 15 years ago. Everytime I return to visit family, I'm totally embarrassed by Edinburgh's obsession with trying to be something it's not. It's the same as when you go for a pub lunch and just want to order a steak pie and chips, but end up being confronted with some menu description, which sounds like something from the tropics - only, when you are served, you realised it's from a bloody can! At least we Leithers know who we are and don't try to be anything else.
56

LisaR,

13/02/2009 15:27:19
#56 Good comment, moaning auld git! It's not snobbery, at all - that would be a compliment. It's just sad, middle class. Typical petty bourgoisie behaviour - how pathetic. I went to Leith Academy. I wonder how a suggestion to rename it to Edinburgh Academy would go down.
57

krusty the klown,

17/02/2009 20:09:22
Jeez - what a load of pash.

Leith is 'subordinate to Edinburgh' see a quote from the 'Detailed maps and reports of 75 towns in Scotland for the purposes of implementing the Reform Act (Scotland) of 1832'

So even in the 1830s people were suggesting that it was one big city.

But anyway, its about a NEW harbour development, its in Edinburgh and therefore Edinburgh Harbour - pretty simple I would have thought.

What has the Moriarty person got a quote or an opinion for - she's not even from Leith and used to manage a scummy pub in the vicinity?

 

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