Leith had the Characters

Sunny the one legged bookie`s runner who used to stand at the 'Copy buildings' & also in the stair beside the Man at the Wheel in Sandport street.

Happy Day, who lived in Commercial Street, his favourite saying was, never dae ought fer nought, and if ye ever dae ought fer nought dae it for yer sel.

Old Mrs. Kelly who lived at 47 Bridge street, she used to do a bit hawkin', of an evening she would wrap her shawl over her head and make for the Jug bar at the Black Swan ( a bit like Ena Sharples in Corry} she would have a stout, and probably a couple of nips if she was flush, then she took her Quart Jug o' ale up to her man Paddy.

Then there was Butler , who had a fruit barrow at Yardheads/ Kirkgate, his cry was lovely honey wine pears 7d a pound,come on now folks stand back and let the Bananas see the people.

There was a man who sold Ice Cream from a tricycle for Michaels in Tolboth Wynd, he was always in need of a shave, and the bairns all used to shout after him " Razor Blades "

Rab the Dudder, who lived in the Salvation Army Hostel in Tolboth Wynd.  He used to open his raincoat like a flasher to reveal an assortment of Biro pens, bootlaces, combs, etc. which were usually duds, that's why he was called the dudder, most folks felt sorry for him and gave him a bung.

I remember an old geezer who used to sing at the picture house queues, he'd toss his kep on the pavement and cover one ear with his hand then sing parodies of all the current songs. He was pretty good and earned a few pence from all the different picture houses.

Peggy Lennie who had a dairy shop on the shore.

Old Mrs Reid who had a dairy in DOCK STREET.

Robbie Gilbertson who ran a Butcher shop in Bridge street.

Bobby Barr Butcher in Henderson Street.

Jackie Gillon the Barber in the Kirkgate.

Joe Gilletta Barber in Henderson Street.

Henry Clark (Stalin) leader of the dockers union.

Lizzie Mizarro who worked in the chip shop in Henderson street.

Old Spence? who used to sell the papers on a Saturday mid-night at the foot o' the walk.

Bill Philips who had Bill's bar in the Shore.

Jimmy Leslie who had the Drawbridge bar in the shore, and also was the traveller for Melrose Drovers for many years.

Old John Fagin, who had the Bell Rock in Dock street, for many years the oldest publican in Leith.

Barney Battles, Hearts player who ran Barney Battle`s pub in Newhaven, I think that it was the Boattie Row.

Bernie Davey, the weirdo who was a gay bird who and the laughing stock af all the youngsters. Think he worked in Robb's,

Jaikie the barber who stood on a wee box when he gave you a haircut,

Wingie Robertson the scrap dealer,

Bing Crosbie the conductor with the whistle and nick-names for every bus stop,

Parrifin Oil in Newhaven,

Annie Boyle, conductress on the No 16 bus. She had a pleasant word for everybody regardless how busy she was. I once drove her bus and was forever getting impatient with her. We ran to a timetable but Annie would hang out the back end of the bus blethering to everybody and a`body. I couldn`t drive off without two rings on the bell from her. Often enough the following No 16 would be up my back before long. What a woman!

Willie Gibb worked in the Wireworks at Granton. His usual drinking haunt was the Trafalgar Bar in Henderson Street opposite Lannies ice cream shop. Willie was effeminate and never hid it. He was thought the world off when he would get up and sing in the pub with the wonderful voice he had.

Myles Dolan. Myles ran the pub of his name in the `Broadie` or Parliament Square opposite the Vaults in Henderson Street. He was a lovely tenor and would often serenade his clientele with his repertoire.