In the 12th century, Leith was Scotland’s gateway to the world. On this food tour – the past will come alive: as we imagine ships weaving out the port, laden with coal, grain, fish and hides, with more ships arriving at The Shore area bringing in spices, timber, cloth, whales and very importantly, wine, especially from Bordeaux. Now many of these warehouses have been converted into flats and restaurants.
As well as being a hub of medieval commerce, it was in Leith that the first rules of golf were drawn up for use on Leith Links in 1744.
A home for stranded sailors has been transformed into a stunning boutique hotel, but the angel above the door still remains vigilant for all its inhabitants.
This food safari is a circular tour – easily accessible from The Shore tram stop and equals a very good lunch with seafood being a focus.
You’ll experience some of these on this food tour around Leith waterfront:
- We start with kedgeree – made with locally smoked haddock and curried rice, the recipe is an adaption of one brought back by Scottish soldiers who had been serving in India. We enjoy a hearty mug of the lightly spiced kedgeree in the old Victorian ferry waiting room.
- As its a Saturday, we will visit the farmers’ market for fabulous hand crafted pies which go brilliantly with a local IPA beer or homemade lemonade from one of Leith’s newest breweries : Campervan’s Lost in Leith in a former whisky warehouse.
- Then we walk round the old port over once Europe’s largest swing bridge to enjoy fish and chips served with a uniquely celtic seaweed mayonnaise.
- We finish our tour with a sangria, aubergine crisps drizzled with honey, homemade pesto, Spanish olive oil, and sourdough bread in a former ship chandlers’ warehouse which is now a cool Spanish bar. and still time to return to explore the popular farmers’ market.
Leith waterfront is such an exciting part of Edinburgh to visit and we hope you will join us on this wonderful food and drink tour.
