What was Leith of early to mid 20th Century
Here are the retailers/wholesalers of old who supplied us with all our needs.
including the ships that brought the supplies.
Groceries; bakeries; fruiterers; shoewear; clothing; chemists; ironmongery; electrical goods; bicycles; newsagents; dairies; post-offices; cafes, chip shops; ice cream shops; sweetie shops.
List shows names of shops as they changed ownership over the years.
Plus Social Activities and More
Lets hear from you. Only you know best of the shops, etc in your own area.
I have now added the Branches of the Leith Provident at the bottom of all this.
If you have any anecdotes to add whether you intimated or not the names then let me have them. Use the form above.. I have added some of mine. Putting flesh to the bones, so to speak.
Bakeries
1 Bootlands: Great Junction Street.
During rationing in the war years when food was rationed and scarse, near Hogmanay time, if you took
your ration of margarine and suger there, they made your New Year short bread for you for half a crown
a round, very expensive for the time. Frank Ferri
2 Masons Bake House: Craighall Road
3 McVitie Guest; Craighall Road.
4 McRaes; North Junction Street (Below Corner Rooms)
5 Scott-Lyons: Great Junction Street.
6 Martins: Great Junction Street.
7 Scott-Lyons, Trafalgar Street.
8 Nairns: Great Junction Street.
9 Smiths: Morton Street.
10 Starks: Bonnington Road between Tennent Street and Stanwell Place.
11 Dunnets: Tennent Street.
12 Moffats: Leith Walk opp. Jamieson Place.
13 Jimmy Boyd: Leith Walk between Dalmeny St. and Jamieson Pl.
14 Martins: Leith Walk. between Dalmeny and Iona Sts.
15 Eastons: Great Junction Street and Leith Walk.
16 Storries: Leith Walk opp. Balfour Street. Son still runs it.
17 Sneath: Kirkgate.
18 Stella Blacks: Kirkgate. (Later moved to Leith Walk under the bridge)
This shop used to offer a baking facility for shortbread around Christmas. Customer supplied butter,
shortbread being half butter. The baker made the shortbread using customer's butter. Bob Lawson
19 Dicksons: Henderson Street.
20 Liddell, Kirkgate.
21 Bakers Shop Leith Walk Below Lorne Street on right hand side going down
I used to love this place! Especially their individual trifles. Unique! never before or since have I tasted a trifle
with a rich fruit cake base, perhaps offcuts of wedding cakes if such a thing exists. Whoever came up with
the recipe was inspired!. Bob Lawson
Banks: now gone.
1 Royal Bank of Scotland: 99 Ferry Road,
2 British Linen Bank: Coburg St/Nth Junction St: then Bank of Scotland:
3 The Royal Bank of Scotland: 18 Craighall Rd/ South Trinity Rd.
4 The Royal Bank of Scotland: 121, Main St Newhaven/Craighall Rd.
5 Leith Bank: Bernard St with domed roof near Maritime St later became the National Bank of Scotland. 6 Commercial Bank of Scotland: corner of Great Junction St and Bonnington Rd.
7 Edinburgh Savings Bank: 98 Ferry Road .
8 Commercial Bank of Scotland: 60 Constitition Street
9 National Bank of Scotland: 34, Leith Walk. Thanks to Dorothy Tweedie for supplying many of these banks details
The following submitted by Bill Macrae
Sorry John only 15 not 16 one was outside Leith Boundary. Will do Coalmen/Post Offices/Phone Boxes Later
I only remember the Bernard Street Banks Sites but not names. ou had to have money to deal with banks and this was not
a common commodity in my childhood.
But I do remember the RBS Bank as they had a gate into a small cul-de-sac street which was closed each night and was unique
for this fact in the city.I also remember the one's at 2 & 4 Bernard Street as this was the terminus for the 13 Bus.
When I was 12 my mother took me to the Bank at 59 Leith Walk(ES/TSB) and they had a promotion where they donated 5 shillings to any child who would open an account with them, we did and I am still dealing with them 67 years later..
BANK OF SCOTLAND 3 Branches
92 Constitution Street
28 Bernard Street
61 Leith Walk
ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND 6 branches
2 Bernard Street
25 Bernard Street
60 Constitution Street
145 Great Junction Street
34 Leith Walk
42 Leith Walk
British Linen Bank 3 Branches
11 Leith Walk (Central Station Branch)
46 Bernard Street
2 North Junction Street
Edinburgh Savings/TSB Bank 2 Branches
59 Leith Walk
98 Ferry Road
Clydesdale Bank 1 Branch
4 Bernard Street
Dalmeny Street: This branch was on the corner of Leith Walk and Dalmeny Street in the 1960s.
Barbers
1 Jackie Gillon: The Shore
2 Tam Tait: Bonnington Road
3 White: Kirkgate.
4 Kirk: Yardheads.
5 Roche: Henderson Street
6 Galletta: Henderson Street
7 Johnny Bell: Kirkgate near the Gaiety. Renowned for his close haircuts arounfd the bowl on the head.
8 Jessie Baxter's : North Junction Street before Admiralty Street
As a kid I used to get my haircut here. It was always busy especially on a Friday when I used to go as my Dad had just been paid. Anyway the barber, once the hair had been cut, used to ask all the men "something for the weekend ,Sir" but never asked me. Eventually, I asked my Dad why. Only to be told to mind my own business. Donald Gray
9 Haldane: George St (opposite Half Way house pub)
10 Rab Ganson: North Junction St
Rab was great for flat top crew cuts. Willie Bell
11 Jimmy Marr: 198 Bonnington Road,
I was out with his daughter today (We are ex Leith Carers Group) Margaret worked in Coop offices Bangor Rd,
she used to hand out the divvies Moira Boyd
12 Sellar: 66 Junction Road.
Father of Peter, Mississauga, Canada, our own Leith Poet
13 Hughie's McPherson: Easter Road at the corner of Thorntree Street
I remember getting my hair cut there even though it was for gents! Cath McBrierty
Bed Linen
1 Sparks: Corner of Great Junction Street and Junction Place.
Bicycle/Pram Shop
1 Jack Haynes. Corner of Giles Street and Henderson Street.
2 Central Cycles: Great Junction Street.
3 Bicycle Shop: Great Junction Street, Opposite the Store.
4 Forrests: Ferry Road/Summerside Place.
5 Jockie Allen: Jane Street.
6 Clydesdale: Great Junction Street.
7 Scotts: Prams. Yardheads.
8 Halfords: Duke Street.
9 Sorleys: Duke Street.
Got my first racing style bike there
Billiards/Snooker
1 Palace Billiards:
Home ground of Leith barber Jackie Gillon; a very small man sadly with a humph back. Used to stand
on a box to cut hair and play snooker, but he was good. Frank Ferri
2 State Billiards:
Owned by Ben DeRolo, many a cue was sneeked out of there down the leg of the trousers. Game
charge 2/6d a frame, 1/3d half frame, Ben would flash table light from his a viewing window office
when your time was up. Frank Ferri
3 Billiards: Kirkgate, above Burton Tailors.
4 Billiards: Carlton Billiards, Leith Walk, up from Alhambra.
5 Billiards: Pompie Coalhill between Henderson Street and Sheriff Brae.
I think the billiard,snooker rooms you were talking about at Coalhill was called Pompei, if that
is the correct spelling. I remember my dad talking about it and I`m sure that was what it was called Wilma
No question, the name of the snooker room at the Shore was Pompey's. We used to collect the beeries and
play there. Pompey was a heavy set guy and he had a bouncer called Ben, short for Benito I believe and he
was a big guy who kept a weather eye on the players and if anyone tried to bump the table he was out the door
in a flash. It cost 3d an hour to play. Peter Sellar
6 Defelices: Billiard Hall, Marionville Road.
Bowling Greens. Private and Public
1 Victoria Park: (Council)
2 Leith Links, Links Pl (Council)
3 Dalmeny St,: gone (Council)
4 Powderhall: (Council)
5 Dudley Grove: (Private)
6 Pilrig, Pilrig Gdn: (Private)
7 Leith, Summerfield Gdns: (Private)
9 Seafield: Leith Links, next to Leith Franklin cricket club (Private)
10 Summerside, Summerside St (Private)
Butchers
1 Binnies: Great Junction Street
2 Binnies: Tolbooth Wynd.
3 James Tulloch: Salamander Street.
4 John Tulloch: Easter Road.
5 T.G. Willis: Great Junction Street.
6 Bowmans: Great Junction Street.
7 Andersons: Great Junction Street.
8 Craigs: Summerside Place.
10 Guthries: (Offal). Kirkgate.
11 Bowmans: Kirkgate.
12 Peter Cooper: Became Swanson as below.
13 Bob Swanson: Bonnington Road near Tennent Street.
14 Barrs: Henderson Street between St Andrew St and Tolbooth Wynd.
15 Munros: Leith Walk(Gibby Paton) Manager.
16 Butcher: Foot of Ferry Road.. One on one side and the other opposite. Names????
17 Johnny Browns: Henderson Street.
18 McBrides Rib Shop: Kirkgate.
19 Cairns: Restalrig Road.
20 Aitkens Offal: Duke St.
21 McBrides for Ribs: Leith Walk.
22 Learmouth: Leith Walk.
23 Gilbertson: Bridge Street.
24 Forgie; Charlotte Street.
25 Fergusons, Kirkgate near the entrance to the Gaiety
Once gave my sister an extra egg (they were rationed at the time) because she had been in hospital. Dorothy Tweedie
26 Jimmy the Butchers Jimmy Fraser: Lorne Street Louise
27 McCartneys Leith Walk near Leith Provident/Craig and Rose Paints
No recollection of father's name, but the son was Ronnie McCartney, who, if memory serves, died jumping/falling
off (North?) Bridge, landing in the Waverly Station.
Customers used to rub shoulders with carcasses (dripping blood into bowls on the sawdust covered floors)
while queuing for service. Butchers didn't handle money, a cashier did that, whether for hygiene or security,
I don't know. Bob Lawson
Bob Lawson Cafes
1 Michaels; Tolbooth Wynd.
2 Johnny`s Snack Bar (next to State).
One of the first to have a juke box.
3 Cabin Café: Foot of the Walk.
On my way to school after dinner (lunch)I used to look adoringly at the hot dog sausages rotating on the machine
inside the window, nose to the glass. Later, I used occasionally to call in for a coffee and a bacon roll, and a tune
on the juke box. Looking back, it was a typical greasy spoon, but probably boosted my immune system! Bob Lawson
4 Cafe Italian: Corner of Kirkgate and Storries Alley.
Had a Juke Box
5 Crawfords Tea Rooms: The Shore.
6 Canasta: Bonnington Rd.
7 Marie’s: Bonnington Toll.
8 Joe Capaldi: Great Junction Street Ice Cream Cafe.
9 Cafe Leith Walk opposite De Vitos
John (A Pole, I believe) and his wife, Maria ran this old cafe for years. I can't remember what it was called, but I
and my reprobate mates used it for years (mid - late 60's)lovely people, who put up with us and our loutishness.
A burger was around 10d, coffeee 6d, Coke around 10d, but we outstayed our welcome, a lot. On prompting to go,
someone would buy another coffee/burger/Coke and we'd all stay seated on the strength of one purchase.
It was probably cold outside. Bob Lawson
Chemists
1 Skinner: Great Junction Street near the Swanfield Mill big gate.
Always remember his shop with all the old medicine bottles arranged around his walls. John Stewart
2 Walker: 24 & 26, Craighall Road
3 Rodgers: Great Junction Street.
4 Smith & Bowman: Foot of the Walk.
5 Johnstone: Top of Ballantyne Road.
6 Nobles: Bottom of Restalrig Road
7 Miss Thomson: Bridge Street.
8 Mr Smith; Bonnington Road.
9 Coats: Henderson Street.Tolbooth Wynd. No bad frae a 103 year old
10 Timothy Whites: Formerly above.
11 Raimes Clarke: Manufacturing Chemist, Smiths Place
12 Dudgeon: Duke Street.
You say Duke Street, I thought it was in Leith Walk, Just up from the lane behind the Capitol cinema above ( Southish) of the Railway bridge/)
A girl I knew (Heather Booth?) worked for Dudgeon's and got me a job, temporary holiday cover, delivering medicines. I also ended up
counting pills into bottles, and even mixing pastes and ointments (pallette knife, marble slab, base ointment, active ingredient) can you imagine
that now? The chemist's tea was made and kept hot on a gas ring in the shop, next to the flammable stuff like methylated spirit! Mr dudgeon
told us he'd invented what I'd now describe as a heat exchanger to recover heat from polar explorers' breath as they exhaled, warming the air to be i inhaled, thus saving on energy/food requirement. Clever in principle, but over the years, I realised that condensate might be an issue. I wonder
where Heather is now? Older than me, and very confident, and attractive. Bob Lawson
13 Heddles: Leith Walk.
Chimney Sweep
1 Barrie and Moncrieff; Leith Walk nr Shrubhill.
Were mainly roof slaters rather than just chimney sweeps. My father worked for them for a number of years. Dorothy Tweedie
2 Johnston
This was my great granfathers business which was passed on to his son John and was in existence until at least the late 1940's. Dorothy Tweedie
3 Charlie Mc Naughton:
When Charlie McNaughton stopped cleaning chimneys in the '60's he took on the shop next to the bookies on the corner of
Bowling Green/ W. Bowling Green St. I remember my grandmothers' chimney, in Graham St., catching fire in the 50's and the
fire brigade being called out. What excitement Margaret Cooper nee Gaughan
Chip Shops
1 Joe di Ponio: Henderson Street.
Joe was interned during the War but Lizzie of the Mazzaro family kept the shop going. John Stewart
2 Alberts: Kirkgate.
3 Costas; Great Junction Street.
4 Gallos: Bangor Road before becoming Fasciones. Had a seated area in rear of shop.
During the War we would go into Gallos after our decontamination exercises in Leith Hospital for peas and vinegar.
John Stewart.
5 Fasciones: Bangor Road.
6 Morga: Bangor Road formerly Fasciones.
7 Gallos: Balfour Street.
8 Di Ponios: North Junction Street.
Di Ponios. Run by Jim and Maria. Jim was not his real name ( no idea what it was ) but locally everyone called him Jim. I was sent down (we lived in the stair above the shop ) for a 2d bag of chips. He had put the price up to 3d that week. I only had 2d but he gave me the chips and told me to hand in the 1d another day, probably not expecting me to do so. However I told my parents and they gave me the 1d to take down to him. Jim was so surprised at my "honesty" that he gave me a large bar of Dairy Milk worth about 6d. Donald Gray
9 Mazzaros: The Shore.
10 Chip Shop: Trafalgar Street. Name?
11 Chip Shop: Iona Street. Name?
12 Cockies: Dalmeny Street.
13 Pritchard Henderson Street down from the Band of Hope.
14 Owens: Bonnington Road.
15 Di Pols: "Mary and Tonis" Balfour Street.
16 Taylors: Bowling Green Street near Bangor Lane.
17 Chip Shop: Sandport St, Bridge St end. Name????
18 Angelosanto: North Junction Street and Admiralty Street.
19 Chip Shop: Great Junction Street near Clinkscales.. Name Methvens?
20 Chip Shop: Extreme end of North Junction Street. Name????
21 Chip Shop: Manderston Street. Opposite the Capitol. Name????
22 Chip Shop: Corner of North Fort Street and Wilkie Place. Name????
23 Chip Shop: Lindsay Road before North Fort Street (formerly George St.) Name????
24 Chip Shop: Corner of Madeira Street and prince Regent Street. Name????
25 Chip Shop: Duke Street just past the offal butcher. Name????
26 Divitos: Leith Walk up from Smiths Place.
I used to love going into Divitos chip shop in the late 50's, early 60's when Flora used to run/own it with her sons. I watched,
fascinated, as she buttered (margarine)unsliced bread. the process was spread, (easy in the warm environment) slice from
the loaf, repeat. Never ever saw it done that way since. When chips were 4d a bag, she let me, and others have a few for 2d.
I'm still addicted to chips, but there are few good chippies any more. I remember the introduction of wrapping paper to replace
traditional newspapers, then wrapping paper and cones printed like newspapers, paper trays for convenient eating on the hoof
(arrived flatpack, but Flora could assemble them so quickly!) then STYROFOAM.. I have never since seen anyone wrap chips
as quickly, or as securely as Flora Divito. Bob Lawson
27 Thomsons: Tolbooth Wynd.
28 Chip Shop: Lochend Road near Burns Street Name ????
Cinemas (Leith)
1 Alhambra: Leith Walk. More
X Rated movies when you had to be 16 to get in… I remember circa 1949, aged 14 (big for my age) sneaking into Alhambra to
see Dual in the Sun starring Jennifer Jones & Gregory Peck, supposed to be very hot, to this day I don’t understand WHY??.....
There’s more soft porn in TV perfume and after shave adverts on TV, never mind the TV programmes Frank Ferri
.
Another hot movie for the time X rated “No Orchids for Miss Blandish starring Jack La Rue & Linden Traves, I think the saucy
scene was when ack La Rue loosens the cord on LindaTravers pajama bottoms and starts to slip his hand inside her top,
then film cuts. As kids we were very curious. Frank Ferri.
2 Capitol: Manderston Street. More
3 Laurie: Laurie Street.
4 Palace: Duke Street/Constitution Street. More
X Rated movies… I saw in 1950, in the Palace, "Bitter Rice" starring Silvana Mangano, supposed to be very hot, I think it showed
ladies with under arm hair, that got that one over 16 rated, very tame for to days very loose standards. Frank Ferri
5 State: Great Junction Street. More
I remember watching Sandy the doorman stand shakily on a tall ladder changing the picture titles with individual lettering on
the cinemas canopy. I lived in Ballantyne Rd, my dad could lean out the window look up the road and see on the canopy what
was showing or establish if there was a queue. Frank Ferri
Sneaking in to the State as a kid….. It was about around 9.45 pm, I’d just bought a bag of chips out of Gallo’s at the top
of Bangor Rd, I was looking at the movie pictures on the pillars under the canopy outside the State eating my chips when
I noticed the cash desk was empty, as the film show was nearing its end, so I decided to sneak in to the upstairs balcony.
Selecting a good seat right at the back.. Totally oblivious and naïve of the smell of my chips wafting throughout the auditorium,
until an usherette realizing I’d sneaked in asked me to leave, and me stupidly protesting my innocence but not able to
explain my bag of chips, can’t blame a guy for trying, even if it was a stupid stunt. Frank Ferri
Clothiers
1 Clinkscales,Oswald: Great Junction Street.
2 Bowdens: Tolbooth Wynd and corner of Bowling Green Street and Gt Junction Street.
3 Seatons: Great Junction Street.
4 Parkers Stores: Kirkgate opposite South Leith Church.
5 Hopes: Duke Street. Opp. Leith Academy.
6 Polsen & Smarts: Kirkgate near F.o. t. W.
7 Banks: Below Corner Rooms.
8 Allans: Great Junction St.
9 McColls; Seamens outfitter. Tolbooth Wynd.
10 Montgomery: Seamans outfitter, The Shore.
11 Ramsay Milner: (Ladies hats). Leith Walk/Steads Place.
12 G. & J. Walker,2, Kirkgate, Leith
I am looking for any information about this. I have an old piece of clothing that I am trying to research its history.
Allison Amine E-mail: amine3@verizon.net Thank you
Coalman
1 Andrew Paterson:
2 James Christie:
3 Henry Gillies:
4 McCormacks:
5 Charleson:
6 Lindsay:
7 McRobbie:
8 Duffields: Coalie at Coburg Street.
9 Brotchies:
10 Swords:
11 Leckies:
12 Store:
13 Mrs McBrierty (Kate) was my grandmother - She also had a coal business in Glover Street, Leith.
Mrs McBrierty`s young sons mostly my dad James delivered coal aged just 7 Catherine McBrierty
Dairies
1 Whiteleys: Henderson Street.
2 Hudson: 54 Craighall Road
3 Miss Pearson: Leith Walk (under railway bridge)
4 Nellie Dawson: Bangor Road.
5 Buttercup: Great Junction Street.
6 Edinburgh & Dumfrieshire: Ferry Road.
7 Edinburgh & Dumfrieshire: Henderson Street.
8 Buttercup: Leith Walk just above Manderston Street.
9 Harry Wallace: first shop left Bowling Green St
10 Ramsays: Originally under railway bridge at Leith Walk.
11 Buttercup: Easter Road
12 Maypole Dairy Company 48 Great Junction Street.
Managed from about 1952 to 1960 by Bill Marshall who later managed Benson's in Elm Row. Graham, his son
worked in both shops. The Maypole introduced frozen chickens to Leith, I know I cut hundreds every Saturday for
those who only wanted a half. The shop sold loose biscuits, there were large tins ranged along the front of the counter.
Cheese was mainly cheddar and delivered in wooden crates, two forty pound cheeses to the crate. To this day I can tell
the weight of a piece of cheese to within an ounce simply on sight, I cut so much. Tea-time staples from the Maypole
included Spam and Boiled Ham, both delivered in tins and sliced on large and dangerous slicing machines in the cellar.
I could go on but think you need to wait for the book.
Dry Cleaners/Laundry
1 P.& R. Hay: 34, Craighall Road
2 The Wee Cleaners & McNabs : Gt. Junction Street.
3 Portobello Laundry: Collected and delivered.
4 McNab Cleaners: Corner of Balfour Street and Leith Walk.
5 Pullars of Perth: Replaced McNabs.
6 Cleaners: Pend near Bangor Lane.
7 Hay's: Bowling Green St up pend
8 Juniper Green Laundry: Collected and delivered.
Easter Egg Rolling
1 Starbank Park:
2 Lochend Park:
Electrical Goods
1 Ard Radio: Bonnington Road then Great Junction Street.
2 Telectra House: Great Junction Street.
3 Humes; Manderston Street.
4 Grants: Tolbooth Wynd opposite Bowdens
5 Napier: Great Junction Street.
6 Jack Haynes: Giles Street.
Electrician/Plumber
1 Addison (plumber): Ferry Rd opp Library.
2 Muir, 46, Craighall Road.
Fishmongers
1 Methvens: *Still there` Great Junction Street.
2 `The Store` Great Junction Street.
3 Fishwife: - Mary (with her barrow): Bangor Road.
4 Fishwife: Broad Pavement, Henderson Street.
5 Smith: Leith Walk down from Jane Street.
6 Smith: Fish and general store. Great Junction Street opposite Methvens.
7 MacFisheries: Kirkgate near St Andrew Street.
8 Fishwife: Stood outside a bar at the corner of Tolbooth Wynd and the Kirkgate
9 Harrisons: Restalrig Road.
Fruiterers
1 Alex Westwood: Great Junction Street.
2 Rankins: Great Junction Street.
3 Guthries: Great Junction Street.
4 Edwards: Leith Walk between Dalmeny St, & Jamieson Pl.
5 Thomas Dick: Great Junction Street.
6 Peters: Great Junction Street near Scott-Lyons.
7 Orchard: Restalrig Road.
8 City Fruiterers: Leith Walk.
9 Harold Brown: Tolbooth Wynd.
Furniture
1 Kate McGourty: Constitution Street.
2 Coltarts: Leith Walk below Jane Street.
3 Economic formerly Kate McGourty.
4 Browns Furniture Shop including proprietor :Leith Walk between Lorne Street & Smiths Place Louise
As Louise says, between Lorne Street and Smith's place, but they also extended back to Lorne place, where their
lorry was stored behind a wooden fence and gate. We used to climb over, or simply climb up onto the top of the fence
(it was about 4" 100mm wide), and walk fom one side to the other, wobbling well crossing the gate. Getting up was a
run at the fence, and a little run up the fence, then a scramble to the top. Getting down was a "dreep" in Leith vernacular.
I once "dreeped" at a time when the fence was suffering from our attentions, and got a splinter/skelf/spail (pick your
preferred term) which went from the heel of my left hand to the middle of the palm. Sore! despite that, I pulled it out, and
kept my hand out of sight for a long time in preference to having to explain it.The yard the truck was stored in abutted
Betty Creelman's house in 4 Lorne Place, and the truck blocked out her light, obliging her to have lights on early in
summer. She still had an old coal range in her house when most others had a modern tiled fireplace. She used to light
it with a "gas poker"Bob Lawson
Bob LawsonGPO Red Telephone Boxes
1 Bangor Road: Great Junction Street end.
2 Jane Street: Outside Exchange.
3 Corner Ferry Rd/Madeira St:
4 Leith Links right of Leith Academy:
5 Foot O Leith Walk:
6 Portland Pl:
7 Restalrig Rd: (Bottom)
8 Balfour Street:
Push A Button before inserting your 2d and dialling.. Push B Button to connect.
Push C Button at the side to retrieve your money if not connected.
Grocers/Greengrocer
1 Bobby Combes: Leith Walk.
Bobby Combe was, I believe, an ex footballer, Hibs, I think. Quite dapper and businesslike, hair slicked
back with Brylcreem, as I remember (we all did that!)He was in the vanguard of discounted groceries. Back
in the days when packets of Smiths crisps were sold wrapped in greaseproof bags rather than todays plastic,
and contained a little blue twist of paper containing salt, Bobby Combe's price for a 4d. bag was 3d. 25% discount!
He and his staff were expert in the use of butter pats, producing a little, corrugated block of butter of the weight
the customer wanted, from bulk butter kept, I think, in a barrel. Between uses, the pats were kept in a (wooden?)
bucket of water. Biscuits were stored at floor level in 7lb. tins with a glass window in the lid. Tempting for children.
I think at that time, it was still quite common for customers to take their dogs into food shops, too. Bob Lawson
Bob Lawson 2 Laurence Smith: (Craighall Crescent)
3 Bensons: Great Junction Street.
4 Bensons: Leith Walk. Between Dalmeny St and Iona Street.
5 Ferguson and Crighton: Ferrier Street.
6 Smiths: Great Junction Street.
7 Liptons: Great Junction Street.
8 Mitchells: Ballantyne Road/Great Junction Street.
9 Hays: Great Junction St/Henderson St.
I worked for a couple of weeks at Hays, delivering groceries, and filling shelves covering a mate's holiday
during school holidays. It opened my eyes to the real world. One morning, mice had got into the sugar,
stored under the counter in 2 lb. white paper bags, further wrapped in brown Kraft paper. They'd eaten
some, but contaminated much more. I was given the job of "saving" as much as I could, which the manager
wanted to be most, if not all of it. I had to get the droppings and "yellow snow" out, and double bag it in
pound weight lots in the white paper bags commonly used then. Put me off sugar!
Then, on another occasion, the New Zealand Cheddar was found to be mouldy. I got the job of saving that too.
Taught me how to judge weight by eye, and to wrap cheese neatly in greasproof paper. Never eaten cheese since!
Hays was near the Kirkgate Church, where I used to go to Sunday School Bob Lawson
Bob Lawson 10 Jamiesons: Great Junction Street near Cousins Pub.
11 Adams: Sandport Street.
13 Condies: Corner Bangor Road and Burlington Street.
14 Jimmy Briggs: Dalmeny Street.
15 Keith: Greengrocer, Dalmeny Street.
16 Coopers: Great Junction St and Pirrie Street.
17 Thompsons: Bonnington Road near Joe Dicksons, Newspapers.
18 Wards: Corner of Fort Place.
19 Mrs Kuisam: Balfour Street/Balfour Pl.
20 Jimmy Creans; Prince Regent St.
21 Smith's: The corner of Market St & Tolbooth Wynd;
22 Bishops: Licensed Grocer. Restalrig Road.
23 Bensons: Between Lorne Street and Jamieson Place.
24 Maypole: Before above Bensons.
25 Coventry: Licensec Grocer. Arthurs Street/balfour St.
26 Lows: Great Junction St.
27 Adams: Sandport Street
28 Peggy Lennies: The Shore.
29 Glens: Restalrig Road.
30 Cochrane's: Corner Lochend Avenue/Lochend Road
31 Hoopers: Restalrig Road corner of Restalrig Circus
32 McRitchie; Corner of Kirkgate and Foot of the Walk.
33 Massey: Kirkgate.
34 McBrides: Kirkgate just up from Bowdens
35 Tyndall McLelland: Great Junction Street near the Gallos Chip Shop
36 Amdersons Grocers/Mini Market/Off Licence, Corner of Bommington Rd and Tinto Place
I THINK THIS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST MINI MARKETS IT SOLD EVERYTHING IT EVEN HAD A MONEY CLUB I THINK IT WAS AROUND LATE 50S 60S ? RAB MITCHELL
Hardware/Drysalter
1 Alexanders; Tolbooth Wynd.
2 Dalglish (Johnny Awthings): Henderson Street.
3 Spence & Spence: Great Junction Street.
4 Spence& Spence: Charlotte Street.
5 Drysalter: Corner Tennent St and Bonnington Road. Name????
6 Wilkinson: Ironmonger and Drysalter. Leith Walk opp. Dalmeny St.
7 McColls: Tool shop. Coburg Street.
House Visitors
1 Gasman: Meter emptier.
I remember watching his nimble fingers selecting the old pennies and stacking them in columns of 12 making an old shilling.
My mother standing by hoping the meter was over paid so she would get some money back, but sadly on occasion she had
to pay him a little more because of the odd foreign coin found in the pile that we had used in emergencies. Frank
It was me who stood watching him. After he had piled the pennies, I waited patiently watching as he put 5/- worth of pennies
into little brown paper cash bags. wondering when he was going to stop. I always got a couple of pennies from my granny. John
2 Provvy Man: He always came on a Friday night to collect the payments and occasionally leave a Provvy Cheque to redeem.
3 Insurance Man:
4 Rent Man:
We always paid our rent into the McGovern`s pub on the ground floor. They owned the six houses above. John Stewart
Ice Cream Shops
1 Mr Lanny: Shop in Henderson Street.
Never forget being outside his shop as a six year old when it was being looted
when the Italians entered the War. John Stewart.
LANNYS ICE CREAM PARLOUR OPENED 1927? CHANGED TO A CAFE WHEN HE BOUGHT THE SHOP NEXT DOOR AND KNOCKED THE 2 OF THEM TOGETHER TO MAKE A CAFE 1937? I OWN THE CAFE NOW AND IT STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL SLAT SEATS WHERE THE AULD LEITHERS USED TO DO THEIR COURTING OR WINCHING I STILL GET WOMEN & MEN IN THEIR 70S SAYING THEY USED TO MEET THEIR PARTNERS IN LANNYS (THIS IS THE CORRECT SPELLING OF LANNY) Rab Mitchell
2 Mary Crollas: Charlotte Street.
3 George DeFelice: (opposite State)
4 Mancini: Ferry Road.
5 Ovens: Sit in booths. Bangor Road.
6 Shop: Bonnington Road near Newhaven Road. Name????
7 Angelosantos: Portland Place.
8 Pacittos: Bonnington Road Great Junction Stret end.
9 Ben Crollas: Newhaven.
10 Manchella`s: Ice Cream and Cafe Leith Walk up from the Alhambra:
11 Lanni's: Ferry Road near Madeira St.
11a After the above premises were bombed during the War, they later opened a new shop at Anchorfield.
12 Ice Cream Tricycle:
The ice cream vending machine perched on the axle of the front two wheels served as the steering
mechanism. Must have been very strenuous pedalling this along especially over the granite setts.
13 Zublers: Commercial Street.
14 DeFelices: Marionville Road.
15 Rochio; Near Gaiety.
16 Placittos: Bernard Street
17 Joe Capaldi: Great Junction Street near methvens
Launderette
1 Launderette: Great Juncton Street near Cousins Pub.
2 Bendix Launderette: Leith Walk near Pilrig.
Meeting Halls/Weddings, etc.
1 Painters Society Rooms: Yardheads
2 Bakers Rooms: North Fort Street.
3 Unionist Rooms: Leith Walk:
4 Lansbury Rooms: Corner of Duke Street and Morton Street
5 Eagle Halls; `colloquial name`, Tower Place.
6 Store Boardrooms: Great Junction Street/Cables Wynd:
National Health Shop:
Part of the State building. They issued babies powdered milk, fresh orange juice and cod liver oil, right up to
the earl 50s. my sister Bonita was only a baby at the time 1951 I went there for my mum. Frank Ferri
Newsagents/Tobacconists
1 Joe Muir: Henderson Street.
2 McIlvogues; Great Junction Street.
3 Rintoul: 16, Craighall Road.
4 Longmuir: Duke Street.
5 Chalmers: Great Junction Street.
6 Laings and Reids : Great Junction Street. Later bought by Chalmers.
7 Gibson: Corner of Coalhill and Sheriff Brae.
8 Harry Tait: 128 Ferry Road.
9 Middletons: Ferry Road/Allan Street.
10 Johnny Marshall: Dalmeny Street.
11 Jimmy Higgins: Leith Walk below Balfour Street.
12 McNabs: Sandport Street. Later below.
13 Davey Campbell: Sandport Street.
14 Liddells: Became Swansons as below.
15 Jimmy Swansons: Bonnington Road.
16 Joe Dicksons: Bonnington Road.
17 Patons: Constitution Street, opposite the Palace cinema.
18 Jimmy Higgins: Leith Walk between Dalmeny St and Jamieson Pl.
19 Isa Sayers: Bottom Coalhill and Pulman Pans.
20 Newsagent: Leith Walk just below Pilrig Church. Name????
21 Harris: Top of Coburg Street.
22 Tobacconist, Barber shop at rear: Duke Street, Opp. Leith Academy. Name????
23 Wee Tobacconist: (Tobacco only) Corner of Junction St/ Leith Walk.
24 The Pipe Shop: Leith Walk below Jane Street.
25 Joe Maloney: Corner of North Junction St and Prince Regent St.
Joe Maloney was big ruddy faced man. The older kids would get a young kid to steal a sweet from his shop and run. When he gave chase the older kids would steal from the empty shop. It eventually got too much for Joe that sold up and moved to a Newsagent in Great Junction Street almost on the corner with Bonnington Road. Donald Gray
26 Drummond: Restalrig Road.
27 Parkers: Yardheads.
28 Newsagent: Next to the old /tram/bus depot. Naame????
29 Campbells: Sandport Street.
30 Mrs Logan: Tennant Street.
31 Robinsons: Hamilton Street.
32 Jeannie Wallace: Kirkgate Another frae the 103 year old.
33 Patterson: Left hand side of Tolbooth Wynd,going towards the shore.
We called him uncle Jock (no relation) The Patterson's lived next door to us at 43 Primrose Street Peter Sellar
Opticians
1 Stalkers: Commercial Street.
David Stalker, my great grandad, John Stewart
2 `Store`: Corner of King Street and Great Junction Street.
3 Turnbull: Constitution St (next to Palace Cinema)
Got my first pair of specs there. Willie Bell
4 Optician: Leith Walk just below Pilrig Church. Name????
Painter/Decorator
1 Smart: 18, Craighall Road.
2 Duff: 48, Craighall Road.
3 Jackie Stoddart: Commercial Street.
4 Dalglish: Stanley Road:
5 Aitchison: Restalrig Road.
6 Painters: Corner of Henderson Street and Spiers Place.
Paint and Wallpaper Suppliers
1 Shillinglaws: Leith Walk opposite the old tram/bus depot.
2 Wallpaper shop: Kirkgate between Laurie Street and South Leith Church.
3 Wallpaper shop: Kirkgate near Coatfield Lane.
4 Craig and Rose: Leith Walk near Alhambra. Paint supplier.
At one time the main supplier of paint for the Forth Bridge. Frank Ferri.
Pawnshop
1 Pawn Shop: Entrance Bowling Green St. Sited above Bowdens formerly Nisbets. Gt Junction St.
2 Pawn Shop: Buchanan Street.
3 Dresners: Market Street.
4 Dresners: Above corner of Jane Street and Leith Walk.
Photographers
1 Coltart: Dalmeny Street, Leith Walk end.
2 Campbell, Harper Leith Walk down from old tram depot.
3 Michael Courtney's: Great Junction Street. Opposite Dr Bells.
Picnics (Sunday School; Family ; Pals.)
1 Ashbrook: Salvation Army Eventide Home Grounds. Ferry Road. Sunday School picnic.
2 Colinton Dell: Sunday School picnic.
3 Liberton Dams: Picnic with friends.
4 Tally Toor: Picnic with friends.
5 Corstorphine Woods: Picnic with friends.
6 Seafield Beach: Picnic with friends.
7 Ebenezer Church:
Little France With Ebineezer Church Junction St now Bangor RD at their annual outing, I think everybody in Junction St
and surrounding areas went to it regardless of being a member of the church or not, I always had pals who could get
me a ticket, The Cruikshank twins from Junction St.
8 Hillend:
A beautiful setting on a warm summers day. just below the existing ski run paddling in the wee burn.... As a kid,
didn't look forward to the long walk from Buckstone Rd which was the tram terminal to get there, seemed like miles
away in the distance to the park. Sometimes a few of us would go on just the tram ride to the terminus t sit and wait
till it turned around and went back to Leith just for the fun of the ride and to view the countryside. to us that was way
out in the country then
9 Braid Hills:
Camped there over the weekend often as a kid wae wir wee brewing Tate & Lyle can wae wire
handle, some sugar, tea and milk and a few jam pieces.
10 Portobello:
Can't forget that one. On the Glasgow Fair Holiday you couldn`t get moving on the beach and the
Figure of Eight, helter skelter or carpet ride and dodgems.... Enormous queues in Duke St for the
No 12 tram to take you to Kings Rd Portobello.
11 Gullane:
With its beatiful sand dunes, I remember as a teenager, queuing at St Andrews Sq bus terminal for a bus to
get there on a good summers day and the enormouse queue to get back.
12 Lauriston Castle Grounds: Davidsons Mains
Police Boxes
1 Henderson Gardens: Henderson Street.
2 Leith Links: At Hermitage Park.
3 Mill Lane: At Great Junction Street end.
4 Bonnington Road: Junction with Burlington Street.
5 Prince Regent St.
6 Smiths Place:
7 Newhaven Rd at Victoria Pk, still there
8 Newhaven Harbour, (gone)
9 Leith Links: Near Leith Academy
Post Offices
1 Miss Low: Great Junction Street opposite Crabbies.
2 Post Office: Leith Walk/Jamieson Place.
3 Post Office: Duke Street.
4 Post Office: Constitution Street.
5 Post Office: Corner of Hopefield Ter & North Junction St.
7 Miss E Glen: Restalrig Road.
8 Ferry Rd: corner of Allan Street
Putting Greens/Tennis
1 Leith Links: (Gone)
2 Pilrig Park: (Gone)
3 Victoria Park:
Ships and Shipping Lines
Registered in Leith or not.
1 Gibson, Rankin:
2 Currie Line:
3 Ben Line: (Thomsons)
4 Salvesens:
5 North of Scotland Steam Navigation Co:
6 Henry,McGregor & Co:
7 MV Gulfoss: Weekly visitor from Reykjavik:
8 MV Adler: Weekly visitor from Hamburg.
9 SS London Merchant: Plied between Leith and the Thames.
10 SS Edinburgh Merchant: Plied between Leith and the Thames.
Belravock, Belvina belonged to the same Company, London Edinburgh Steamship Co.
Like the above, they plied between Leith and the Thames
11 Cairn Line Vessels: Plied between Leith and Montreal.
Cairnndhu, Cairngowan, CaIrnesk, Cairnavon and Cairnvalona were the ships operated on above
12 RNA Fort Boats: Regularly in for maintenance by Henry Robbs.
Fort Beauharnois; Fort Dunvegan; Fort Langley.
13 Shipping & Coal Company Ltd: 44 Bernard Street.
14 MV Pentland: Plied between Leith and Rotterdam
MV Pentland was Currie line. Most of their ships ended with LAND
Shoe Repairers
1 Hunters, Bangor Road.
2 Repairer: Dalmeny Street. Name????
3 Webster: Henderson Street.
4 Repairer: Smiths? Bonnington Road opposite the `Bowery`.
5 Dalziel: Restalrig Road.
6 Shearer: Tennant Street.
Shoe Shops
1 Keirs: Corner of Great Junction Street and Bonnington Road.
2 Bairds: Great Junction Street.
3 Cable: Great Junction Street/Kirkgate.
Curtis: later replaced Cable.
4 Timpsons: Kirkgate.
5 Bata: Great Junction Street.
6 Greenlees: Leith Walk between Dalmeny and Iona Sts.
7 Easiefit: Leith Walk between Dalmeny and Iona Sts.
8 Shoe Shop: Last shop before Fyffes yard; Willie Wilsons mothers shop.
9 Curtis: Corner of Kirkgate/Junction St.
10 Bennets: Ladies shoes, Kirkgate.
11 Keirs; Tolbooth Wynd.
Soft Drink Manufacturers
1 Dunbars: Well known for their Kola.
2 Schweppes:
3 Petries:
4 Leitches:
5 Globe Table Waters:
6 Roses Lime Juice:
Sports and Other Social Clubs
1 Boy`s Club: Market Street. (Eric Gardiner)
Eric ran the club. Never saw him with a jacket on. Outside he was always striding out. John Stewart.
2 Boys Club: Storries Alley.
3 Victoria Baths: Swimming Club.
4 Salvation Army: Youth Club.
5 Lady Dynamos F.C.: Leith Female Soccer Club.
6 Leith Dockers: Academy St (Morton St)
7 Boiler Makers: Casselbank St (Hope St. They moved to Queen Charlotte St. (Gone) .. there was another one here too
8 Boncast: Bonnington Rd (Gone)
9 Ex Servicemen's: Smith's Pl.
10 Crossroads Boys Club: Couper St.School. (Eric Gardiner one of Leith's great unsung heroes)
Eric must have gone on to here after leaving Market Street club. John Stewart.
11 Stella Maris: St Mary's Star of the Sea. Church grounds.
This is where you really learned to play football. You kicked what ever you could. Be it, balloon or anything
right up to a medicine ball, and that DID hurt, but you didn't care. If memory serves, they had a snooker table,
a pool table a table-tennis table, and the like. Graham Whyte.
12 Y.M.C.A.: Boys` Club. Junction Place.
13 Salvation Army: Home League for Women.
14 Leith Franklin Cricket Club:
Street Bookmakers (Bookies)
1 Dennis Cunningham: Corporation Buildings.
2 `Pimsy" Lindsay: Parliament Street.
3 Bobby Walker: corner of Corunna Place.
4 Geordie Christie: Corner Breadalbane Street.
5 Blind Laddie: at pend at Portland Place.
6 The McEneny Family: Corner of Restalrig Road and the Piggery (entrance to Hawkhill Playing Fields}
This was run by my mothers family for years , originaly started by my Grandad Cockie Mceneny who was Tancy Lees sponser
I used to pick up the bets on a Saturday and cycle round to my Grannies house on Hermitage Park . This way when the cops
picked up my Uncles Wullie and Jimmie they did not have to much money on them which the Polis would confiscate.. Jim Gibson ,Gibby
7 Gordon Marwick. Lorne Street by the Lorne Bar,
This man lived above us in Lorne Place. Regularly drunk, once flooded our house when he fell asleep with a tap running.
Owned greyhounds with names like "flash" which never could run. His fortunes were constantly changing, sometimes
riding a motorbike, with or without sidecar, sometimes a flashy American car, for a while, an old BSA or similar tricar.
The transport reflecting his fortunes at the time. Bob Lawson
Bob Lawson.
Street Toilets (Ladies and Gents)
1 Taylor Gardens:
2 Links: Johns Place/Links Place
3 Men`s Open Top Urinal: Yardheads between Cables Wynd and King St. (Gone)
3 Men`s Open Top Urinal. Corner of Giles Street and St Anthony St.
4 Leith Links: to right of Leith Academy School (Gone)
5 St Andrew S: Just off Henderson St (Gents urinal gone)
Sweetie Shops
1 Mrs Wells: Giles Street.
She kept or sweetie ration coupons during the War. Being allowed 8 ounces a month, she would not
allow us to withdraw any more than two ounces a week.. Equivalent to a bar of toffee. John Stewart
2 Frames Toffee Apple Shop: Bangor Road.
3 Miss Pearce: Great Junction Street.
Well known for her boiled sweets - soor plooms - toffee doddles - etc. John Stewart.
4 Nellie Dickson`s: Henderson Street.
5 Jeannie McBeans: Bonnington Road.
6 R S McColls: part of the State building.
7 Mrs Gourlay: North Junction Street near Prince Regent Street.
8 Mrs Turkington: Dalmeny Street.
Her shop was always a guddle. John Stewart.
Mrs Turkington's Not recommended to buy anything that wasn't wrapped as it wasn't the cleanest of shops!
Cat used to sit on the counter just inches away from cakes and sweets in the 'penny tray'!Stuff everywhere but
they could usually find what you wanted if you could wait long enough!If you wanted a copy of the Radio Times
from two Christmases ago then it was the place to go! Derek Bews
A place to shop when desperate. Like so many she used to sell "toffee cups" a paper fairy cake cup with a
little home made, or remelted commercially made toffee in the bottom. 1d or 2d dependent upon how much
toffee was in it. Stored hygienically? I think not! you could barely get into the shop for clutter as I remember it.
Handy for the swng park, though. Bob Lawson
9 Miss Nimmo: Bonnington Road.
10 Shop, Leith Walk, opposite Balfour Street. Wifie lived up in Bruntsfield Name????
11 Harry Clephane: Dalmeny Street.
12 Mrs Liddell: Kirkgate
13 Kate McDonald: Parliament Street. And another.
14 Mrs. Young: Corner Jane Street and Waddell Place. Best wee poke of sherbet.
15 Deacons later Fernies: Bonnington Road near Grants and Swansons.
16 Barton`s: Leith Walk.
17 Archibalds; Corner of Madiera St and Prince Regent St.
18 Miss King's: 20 Bangor Road.
20 Jenny Sweetie Shop 51 Commercial Street.
This shop stood at the foot of the stair where my granmother lived and she could always manage to get sweets
there even when they were rationed. Dorothy Tweedie
22 Barratts, 23 or 24 North Junction Street.
Shop was there from after WWII to late 70's early 80's. Mr and Mrs Barratt lived in Lochend Road... Donald Gray
Swing Parks
1 Dalmeny Street Park:
2 Henderson Street Park:
3 Victoria Park:
4 Pilrig Park:
5 The Links:
6 Keddie Gardens:
Doing a beam then letting swing fly over your head before jumping off, painful on the head
if you mistimed it. Frank Ferri
Tailors/Clothiers
1 Tailorfit: Corner of Great Junction Street and Junction Place. Later became Mackenzie and Miller, Undertakers.
2 Hepworths: Great Junction Street.
3 Hipps: Kirkgate.
4 Burtons: Kirkgate
5 Jefferies: Tolbooth Wynd.
6 Allans Stores: Great Junction Street.
7 Thompsons: Great Junction Street.
8 Fifty Shilling Tailors: ????
9 Fosters Near Junction Bridge. Name????
10 Templeton: Great Junction St.
11 Hepworths: Kirkgate.
12 Claude Alexander: Kirkgate.
13 Rhode's; Gent`s Tailor. Very top of Kirkgate Fit o Leith Walk end on the right.
14 Clinkscales,Oswald: Great Junction Street.
15 Bowdens: Tolbooth Wynd and corner of Bowling Green Street and Gt Junction Street.
16 Seatons: Great Junction Street.
17 Parkers Stores: Kirkgate opposite South Leith Church.
18 Hopes: Duke Street. Opp. Leith Academy.
19 Polsen & Smarts: Kirkgate near F.o. t. W.
20 Banks: Below Corner Rooms.
21 Allans: Great Junction St.
22 McColls; Seamens outfitter. Tolbooth Wynd.
23 Montgomery: Seamans outfitter, The Shore.
24 Ramsay Milner: (Ladies hats). Leith Walk/Steads Place.
25 Simpsons: Leith Walk between Dalmeny St and Jamieson Place
Dad used to get his overcoats there; great service. Cath McBrierty
Undertakers
1 Stoddarts: Great Junction Street. Brothers Alex and Russell ran it alongwith their mother, the shroud maker. Always had lines of coffins suspended on both walls as you entered.
In the search for wood to cut up for kindling to sell, we would often for devillment sake go in to Stoddarts
and ask for any old boxes. They would chase us showing annoyance but I think they chuckled. John Stewart.
2 McKenzie and Millar: Great Junction Street.
Victual Dealers
1 John Brown: Great Junction Street.
2 F McKenzie: Kirkgate.
Wholesalers
1 D Kaye; Corner Market St/St Andrew St. Wholesale Fruit and Veg.
2 Morrisons/Big 6s: Giles Street. Wholesaler to the small grocery shops.
3 Wilsons: Leith Walk. Wholesale Tobacconist
4 Kemps: Wholesale Fruiterer. Arthur Street.
5 Weir: Egg Merchant. Arthur Street.
7 DePinto, Shore: Importer of Italian foodstuffs.
Wine and Spirit Merchants/Licensed Grocer
1 Conboys: Parliament Square (The Broady)
2 Peter Ferguson: Bangor Road.
3 Whites: Ferry Road.
4 One halfway down Bowling Green St Name????
5 Arthur Duncan: Bonnington Road.
6 Grants: Bonnington Road opposite Tennent Street.
7 Crightons: Corner of Dalmeny and Sloan Streets.
8 John Kennedy: Corner of Lochend Road and Primrose Street.
9 Bill Coventry: Balfour St/Arthur Street.
10 Licenced Grocer: Corner Juncton St. and Pirrie St. Name???? Loved their ODINS Spam.
Wireless Supplies
1 Ard: Bonnington Road: Accumulator recharging. Batteries, valves, etc.
2 Shop: Near Starks Bakery, Bonnington Road. Name????
3 Jack Haynes: Giles Street.
4 Radio Rentals: Great Junction Street.
Rent a TV for a year or so, renew contract and get a new updated one, or hire a TV with a coin meter,
all obsolete today, TV is so cheap now.
Woollen Shops
1 Burrow’s Wool Shop: Great Junction Street.
2 Burrows Wool Shop: Leith Walk, opposite Alhambra.
3 Shetland Wool Shop: Prince Regent Street.
4 The Scottish Woollen Shop: Gt Junction Street - near corner the corner of the Foot of Leith Walk
Great place for patterns and wool. Cath McBrierty
Various
1 Singer Sewing Machine: Between Ballantyne and Bangor Road
2 Sutherland Jewellers: Duke Street.
3 Harburn Hobbies: Leith Walk.
4 Gillies, Slater and Roofer: Ferry Road.
5 Edgars: Motor Cycles. Charlotte Street.
6 Registrar: Junction Place.
7 Ewarts: Bonnington Road.
8 Singer Sewing Machine: Leith Walk. (actually just over the border but below the Boundary Bar)
9 Garretts: Dalmeny Street opp. Park. General house utilities.
10 Maggie Slymons: Jane Street. Used to stay open late.
11 Woolworths: Foot of the Walk.
As a young teen attending St Anthony's secondary school in Lochend Rd my mate told me of a scam
to play hooky from school. Go into Woolworth and ask one of the counter assistants to write you a line,
he was right, it worked. Funny enough the author of these absence lines were probably not much
older than me. Frank Ferri
12 Dalziel: Taxi hirer. North Junction Street near Corner Rooms.
13 Nautical Supply shop: Great Junction St near Bangor Road.
14 Bobbies Bookshop: Corner of Laurie St and Kirkgate.
I used to get my scraps from Bobby's bookshop in the Kirkgate and spent many an hour sitting on the stairs
or pavement changing scraps. Moira Smith(Cunningham)
15 Book Shop: Commercial St just past Sandport St. Name????
16 Commercial Hotel: Corner of Commercial St and Sandport St.
17 Queens Hotel: Name before above.
18 Blacksmith: Anthony's Lane behind Trinity House.
19 Blacksmith- Decorative Iron work: Charles Swanney, 18/20 Storries Alley.
Later moved to Mitchell Street and managed by the sons, Eric and Charles. Brian Swanney.
19a Nivens, Blacksmith: Coatfield Lane
20 Saw Doctor: Giles Street.
21 Band of Hope: (Stanwell Mission??) Bonnington Road.
22 Band of Hope: Henderson Street and St Andrew St,
23 General Store: Corner Bonnington Rd and Stanwell Place. Name????
24 Book Shop: Ferry Road below Corner Rooms.
25 Evening News: Branch Office, Corner of Leith Walk and Manderston Street.
Became the Mirador Cafe, I believe in the 70's). IAs paper boys/girls we used to collect our Saturday evening papers from here.
They still worked on the "baker's dozen" Order 4 dozen, say, pay for 48, receive 52. We were allowed to count our own, so "mistakes"
might have been made. On the way back to the shop, if we were asked "any extras?" by a passerby, we'd sell the extras our "mistakes"
had generated. Often we got 6d for a 4d paper, having no change to hand. Good old days, so simple delivering papers, milk, bread,
rolls, groceries. I also delivered morning papers, and I once got an early morning eyeful of a young lady in a ground floor room and
kitchen, with kitchen to front. She was washing at the sink, stripped to the waist, curtains open, not expecting the paper boy to be out
and about so early. Very nice for a 12/13 year old boy, but despite my vigilance, the experience was not repeated. Pity! Bob Lawson
26 Evening Dispatch: Branch Office. Leith Walk beneath old railway bridge at Manderston Street. Became Stella Blacks
27 Army and Navy Store: Corner of Smiths Place and Leith Walk.
28 Egg Store: Top end of Kirkgate.
29 Horses Trough, Dock Pl (Gone)
30 Drinking Fountain: Corner of Links Place and Johns Place.
32 Drinking Fountain: Mill Lane Junction St end (Gone)
33 Drinking Fountain: Victoria Park next to Bowling Green.
34 Drinking Fountain: Opposite Bar on corner after crossing rail bridge at George Street.
35 Paddling Pool: Leith Links (Gone)
36 Band Stand Leith links (Gone)
37 Reynolds: Tolbooth Wynd. Fishing Tackle. Second hand furniture.
38 Tally Toor: Favourite place for picnicking.
39 Toy Shop: Mr. Hill's, Tolbooth Wynd.-
40 John Gibson: Refrigerator Sales. Leith Walk above Manderston Street.
41 Cruikshank: Decorative Ironwork. Arthur Street.
42 Lawries Travel Agency: Leith Walk at the ramp up to the Station:
43 Mrs McBrierty: Second Hand Shop. Glover Street.
44 Varts: Bonnington Rd. Jewellers.
45 Hobbins; Second Hand Shop, Bridge St.
46 Mrs. Hall's: Second Hand Shop, Market Street.
A dour wee woman and she sold a lot of used clothes and whatever else. She used to have
lots of stuff out on the pavement too. Sandra Cochrane
47 Millers: Lino Shop. Corner of Smiths Place. Large clock hanging outside.
48 Macgregors: Constitution St. China and Crockery.
49 Polar Foods: Cables Wynd. Distributed frozen food stuffs to hotels.
Used to accompany Johnny Letford, a delivery man, on his rounds. Got my first iced lolly then. John Stewart
50 Biddy Bells: Henderson Street below St Andrew Street. Small clothier.
51 Pruey West: Sister of Biddy. Henderson Street near Spiers Place. Small clothier.
52 Bagpipre makers: corner of Ferry Rd/Madeira St.
53 Leather Shop: Leith Walk up from Alhambra.
As a youngster, I listened to a lot of (English) radio, and combined with attending Leith Academy,
picked up a lot of English usage which was not as per your regular Leither. I've regretted it over
the years. It landed me in trouble at times, as it did on one occasion in this very shop. I was given a
"Cisco Kid" cap pistol, lovely, shiny, and in my ignorance I thought it complete. My parents left me in
ignorance of the necessity for caps in a cap pistol. My mate Raymond "Raymo" let me in on the secret.
"ye need some keps" he said. I headed off into the leather shop for some "keps" I wouldn't accept that
caps and keps were the same. Must have been the most protracted 1d. transaction ever in that shop.Bob Lawson
Bob Lawson 54 Drambuie: Bottom of Easter Road.
55 Arnotts: Ragstore, Bridge Street.
57 Hills: Lending Library, Tolbooth Wynd.
58 Edgars; Houshold goods. Tolbooth Wynd.
59 Fyffes: Antiques, Ballantyne Road.
60 Alf Beckets: Next to Alhambra, Leith Walk
First wife`s mother was manageress. Still have some 78s bought there.
61 Steeplejacks:
A very essential trade in the old days; repairing all the old churches steeples and the mass of industrial
chimney stacks that once adorned the Leith skyline. Sadly most chimney stacks are gone.
62 Harris of Leith: upholsterers No 2 Kirkgate
63 Edgar Bros: motor cycle sales and repairs corner of Charlotte Street and Water Street
Edgar Brothers moved from the location listed, to Leith Walk, south of Jane Street, on the right going up, then later
to south of Lorne Street, on the left going up. They used to discount Champion spark plugs from 2/6d to 2/0d. They used
to have a Rickman brothers "Metisse" frame kit for Triumph engines in the window for a long time. (it was beautiful)
and dealt in trials competition machines like Montesa, Bultaco, AJS and Ossa, I believe.Bob Lawson
Bob Lawson 64 Donaldson & Henry: Sugar Merchant, Coatfield Lane
65 Gulf Oils; Coatfield Lane
66 Buchanan & Johnston: Food distributor, Coatfield lane
67 Stewart Brothers: Wool Merchants, Constitution Street.
68 Bandparts: Leith Walk
This place was lit up at nights, and the window looked so colourful in an otherwise dull, grey world. Passing, on a
dreary, wet cold evening brightened my mood. As lads, we sometimes stood there, bathed in its light, talking. Bob Lawson.
69 Tora Scotia Judo Club: Originally met In building above Woolworths in the 1950s
In Steads Place, there used to be a Judo club called the Tora Scotia (Scottish Tiger) In my
early teens, I lacked finesse (still do) and learned the importance of technique over brute strength,
when I was bounced all over the tatami (mat) by a seventy year old. He didn't use speed or strength,
he was simply exactly wherever he needed to be to gain best advantage. Embarrassing!Bob Lawson
Bob Lawson This club used to meet in the (semi)derelict house in Pilrig Park. I believe Ken Buchanan
used to visit at times. I think he had a personalised registration KB4 on a Triumph or Rover.
We used to go in, uninvited and play with the weights. Bob Lawson
Bob Lawson 70 Ewarts the Jewellers Bonnington Road
I REMEMBER GOING IN THERE WITH MY MUM WHEN I WAS ABOUT 9 YEARS OLD ( 1957 ) AND BYING A COLIBRA CIGARETE LIGHTER FOR MY DADS BITHDAY MR EWART WAS A NICE OLD MAN I THINK HE GAVE MY MUM a shilling off the price SO MY MUM SAID HE WAS A NICE OLD MAN. Rab Mitchell
71 A Stoddart Jewellers 12 Great Junction Street Ronnie Ness
Leith Provident:
1 Bangor Road: Head Office, Bakery, Garage. More
My Mum worked there in the accounts department Louise
2 Bonnington Road: Butchers.
3 Boswall Parkway:
4 Bridge Street:
5 Burlington Street: Stables
6 Craighall Road:
7 Elbe Street:
8 Dalmeny Street:
My local store Gwladys Zissoff (nee Swanson)
9 Easter Road opposite Ferrier Street:
Delivered milk for Leith Provident Easter Road 2 branch from 1951 to 1953. Jim Tweedie
10 Ferry Road/Allan Street:
11 Goldenacre:
13 Great Junction Street:
Inside Leith Provident Store was Martin Fruitin travel agent. (Tootie Fruitie) Just starting out in business before he moved to Gt. Junction St
14 Henderson Street:
15 Johnston Street/Coburg Street:
16 Leith Walk/Steads Place:
I used to deliver milk each morning (two rounds on Saturday, none on Sunday) around the bottom of Leith Walk, using one
of the old wooden hand barrows. We used to compete to get there early in the morning, to get the best barrow, as some had
broken/damaged shafts, and some were easier to push/pull. They were stored with no security in FYFFES the banana people's
yard on the other side of Stead's Place. It was just at the time when plastic crates and hand crates were being introduced, and there
was competition for those, too, since they were more comfortable to carry than the old Galvanised steel ones. Can't remember
the manager's name, but he was a nice man.
I used to get up very early to have breakfast and get off. I used to run all the way, bounding up the spiral tenement stairs two or more
at a time, then, where it was possible, sliding down the bannister rails, no hands, still holding my hand crate. Milk was 10d a pint at the
time, and sometimes a man on his way to work would buy a pint from me, give a shilling, expect no change, and despite being obliged
to return for another bottle, Id got the 2d profit once the milk had been paid for. Winter was a nightmare. I used to wear my Gymshoes
(plimsolls) for my round, as I only posessed school shoes and plimsolls, so my plimsolls were constantly wet, and the "room and kitchen"
I lived in had no real drying facility. On Saturday, after my milk rounds, I also delivered groceries using the same barrow. One of my
customers was the manager's mum, who was always a good tipper. For my efforts,
I used, at one time get a total of 21/6d (£1:07.5p now) plus any tips/ profit from milk sold on way. I could save at least 10s (50p) per
week for clothes, etc. Along with the milk, we delivered scones (plain fruit and treacle) and rolls for the breakfast table. I used
to knock on the doors of those customers, so the rolls, etc weren't stolen or come to any other harm on the mat. It got me fit, and i
it was about the only exercise I ever got. I still run up and down stairs at my age (59) and modern youth frustrate me with their slow
walking pace. Will add more if any interest is shown, plus, I'll be looking in at others' recollections of Leith. Bob Lawson
17 Lochend Road/Hermitage Park:
18 Lower Granton Road/Trinity Bridge:
19 Main Street, Newhaven:
I delivered milk from 1951/54. They barries took some pushing, especially in the winter, and I hated it if the people
didn't wash the bottle out,when you stuck your fingers in the top,all the horrible milk round the top stuck to your fingers .
Yuk. If you had the 'whale brae' run, god help you. Magnus Ganson
Magnus Ganson 20 North Fort Street:
21 North Junction Street/Admiralty Street:
22 Newhaven Road/Bonnington Toll:
I DELIVEReD MILK 1950 / 54. I WORKED IN THE BUTCHERS 1964 RAB MITCHELL
23 Prince Regent Street: Butchers:
24 Restalrig Road, North:
25 Taylor Gardens: Chemist.
26 Upper Granton Road:
27 Tennant Street:
28 Graham Street:
