The first reference to the historic port of Leith dates from 1140, and the town constantly features in the power struggles that took place in Scotland. In the 1960s the face of Leith changed forever: the brimming tenements, shops, pubs and small workshops along the old and ancient thoroughfares in the heart of the town were destined for redevelopment. The Kirkgate, St Andrew Street, Tolbooth Wynd, Bridge Street and many more would disappear during the decade. Today, Leith is a thriving port and cruise line destination with many excellent hotels, restaurants and bars.Leith History Touris a unique insight into the illustrious history of this old port and shows just how much it has changed during the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Readers are invited to follow local authors Jack Gillon and Fraser Parkinson as they guide them through its streets and alleyways, pointing out the well-known and lesser-known landmarks along the way.

Jack Gillon is a long term resident of Edinburgh and has worked as a Town Planner involved in the conservation of the city’s heritage of historic buildings for around thirty years and has an extensive knowledge of the city's history and architecture. He writes extensively on the historical heritage of Scotland and has had several books published by Amberley. Fraser Parkinson is a local author who runs the hugely popular 'Spirit of Leithers' page on Facebook which traces the social and architectural history of Leith through old images.