Leith, Edinburgh - Private Photography Tour

Edinburgh, GB

Included

  • inclusion
    Free 100 page edinburgh city guide pdf, written by david wheater of adventures in scotland
  • inclusion
    My guide to spending a day in edinburgh and my recommendations for cafe's, restaurants & pubs.
  • inclusion
    My iphone photography guide, explaining how to use your iphone camera to take better iphone photos.

Meeting Point

I will be standing outside the entrance to THE MALMAISON HOTEL, wearing a BLUE BLAZER, a BLUE CAP and have a BLUE RUCKSACK. I will give you my telephone number incase you need to contact me for directions.

Meeting point

1 Tower Pl, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 7BZ , United Kingdom

End point

End Point

The Leith tour ends at the statue of Queen Victoria, close to the Tram Stop at Constitution Street, which will get you back to Edinburgh City Centre in about 15 minutes.

Meeting point

1 Duke St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6AE , United Kingdom

End point

What to expect

1

Leith Links

David will tell you about all the highlights & history of Leith Links - the home of golf. We'll take pictures, while David gives you lots of tips & tricks to improve your photos.

Duration 10 minutes
2

The King's Wark

Discover the Royals who landed here, including Mary, Queen of Scots and Queen Victoria. David will explain about the historical significance of the this lovely shoreside pub and help you to take great photos of this striking building and the Shore.

Duration 5 minutes
3

North Leith Parish Church

Explore this beautiful, historic churchyard and its lovely secret garden. A wonderfully atmospheric church, which we'll take a stroll through, while David points out some of his favourite features and photographic spots.

Duration 10 minutes
4

Trinity House Maritime Museum

Learn about this historic maritime house and Leith's long history and association with the sea. Leith was an important maritime port for centuries, and its history & people are inextricably shaped by their connection with trade & commerce. David will explain the importance of Maritime House to Leith, and help you take striking architectural shots, with lots of helpful tips along the way.

Duration 5 minutes
5

Queen Victoria Statue

Learn all about Queen Victoria's historic visit to Leith in 1842. This magnificent bronze memorial statue, situated at the 'Fit o' The Walk', is dedicated to Leithers who fought in the Boer War. David will cover the history of her visit and help you to take stunning close-up photographs of this well know Leith landmark.

Duration 5 minutes
6

Robert Burns Statue

Learn about Scotland's best loved poet, Robert Burns, and his associations with Leith. We'll spend time at the statue, while David tells you about some of his greatest works and we'll learn about the 'Rule of Thirds', a compositional rule that will help you get better photos of objects and people.

Duration 5 minutes
7

Malmaison Edinburgh

Formerly The Sailor's Home, founded 1853 and now the Malmaison Hotel, Leith. Learn about this pioneering innovation in social care for sailors. David will explain how important the Sailor's Home was to sailor's from all around the world. We'll photograph the beautiful exterior and the 'Coat of Arms of Leith' on the exterior.

Duration 5 minutes
8

North Leith Parish Church

Photograph & admire the Manse & Dutch Style bell tower of the former St Ninian's Chapel and North Leith Parish Church. David will tell you about its conversion into a granary & mill and subsequent office & residential use. The oldest building in Leith and a wee gem. A very photogenic spot that David will help you to capture great photos of, with lots of tips for taking photos of buildings and great architecture.

Duration 5 minutes
9

Lambs House

Andro Lamb's House is a beautiful example of an early 17th century Scot's Merchant's House, where Mary, Queen of Scots is said to have visited briefly on her arrival to Leith in 1561. It's one of the finest 17th century merchant houses in Scotland, and David will tell you all about it's history and development into a family home, along with capturing some great architectural shots of this striking building.

Duration 5 minutes
10

North Leith Burial Ground.

A beautiful, atmospheric graveyard dating back to 1664, that's a real hidden gem and easily missed. David will take you for a stroll through this magnificent medieval graveyard, pointing out all his favourite features, and give you instruction on how to use light & shadow to take some stunning photos.

Duration 10 minutes
11

Custom House Leith

Built in 1812, a beautiful, classical building by Robert Reid and remodelled by William Burn. David will explain its history as a place for collecting duty on goods passing through the port, and help you photograph this beautiful Greek, Doric Revival style building that's one of most impressive buildings in Leith.

Duration 5 minutes
12

The Signal Tower

Built in 1685, one of the oldest buildings in Leith, and used for signalling to ships coming into the harbour. David will help you capture stunning photos of this lovely tower, and give you some valuable travel photography tips, which you can use during the rest of your holiday, and in the future.

Duration 5 minutes
13

Teuchters Landing

A look at one of Leith's most loved, dockside pubs & beer gardens. One of Leith's most popular pubs, we'll pop our heads inside and admire the views of the dock from the dockside pontoon.

Duration 5 minutes
14

Old Town Hall, Leith

A magnificent classical building that's wonderful to photograph. Learn about Leith's struggle for autonomy and independence from Edinburgh and how it was lost in 1920, despite the majority of Leither's voting against amalgamation with Edinburgh. David will tell you about Leither's proud fight to remain a separate burgh from Edinburgh, and how they still maintain their own distinct identity and heritage from the rest of Edinburgh.

Duration 5 minutes
15

Leith Assembly Rooms

The Leith Assembly Rooms opened in 1783, fast becoming the lively social centre of Leith. Next door is the magnificent Exchange buildings, which served as the commercial centre for the Port of Leith. David will show you some of his favourite features of these wonderful buildings and give you some of his best tips for photographing historical details.

Duration 5 minutes
16

Scottish Merchant Navy Memorial

Opened in 2010 by Princess Anne to commemorate civilians lost in the Second World War. David will show you the beautiful intricate details of this superb memorial, and show you how to select the best possible backgrounds for photos, to make your subjects pop and stand out.

Duration 5 minutes
17

Sandy Irvine Robertson Statue/Bench

Dedicated to Sandy Irvine Robertson OBE (1942-1999) who was a much loved local wine merchant, charity promoter and founder of the Scottish Business Achievements Awards Trust. Now an iconic landmark of the Shore area, David will show you how to use 'Portrait mode' on your iPhone, or Smartphone, to get the best possible photos & portraits of the people you love. David will also take some photos of you as a keepsake and memory of your visit to Leith.

Duration 5 minutes
18

0 Water of Leith Walkway

Enjoy a short stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway, where it meets The Shore of Leith, and spot some wildlife and birds along the way. David will show you his favourite spots along this short, riverside walk and we'll look out for flowers, birds & other wildlife to photograph, alongside some of David's top photography tips for shooting nature & wildlife.

Duration 20 minutes

The experience can be subject to change due to bad weather or unforseen circumstances. We always endeavour to give you the best possible experience.

Additional Information

  • Additional information
    Service animals allowed
  • Additional information
    Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Additional information
    Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Additional information
    Not recommended for participants with spinal injuries
  • Additional information
    Not recommended for pregnant participants
  • Additional information
    Not recommended for participants with poor cardiovascular health
  • Additional information
    Participants should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Additional information
    Not recommended for anyone with foot injuries or related problems. We cover approx 3 miles requiring a reasonable level of fitness. Please bring comfortable shoes, a sun-hat, sunscreen and water.
Provided by David Wheater

What our experts say

  • icon
    Wear comfortable shoes for walking.
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    Grab a coffee at nearby The Shore.
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    Consider visiting Ocean Terminal for shopping.
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    Explore Leith Market if you're there on a Sunday.
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    Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

More About this Experience

Introduction

Experience the captivating history and hidden gems of Leith in Edinburgh with a private walking tour. This tour takes you on a journey through time, exploring the stories of the Royal Kings & Queens who landed here, historic churches & graveyards, and fascinating figures who shaped Leith's history. Led by David, an experienced traveler and expert guide, this tour promises to be an immersive and enriching experience.

What to expect?

During this walking tour, you can expect to delve into the rich history of Leith, discovering intriguing tales and lesser-known facts. Explore the footsteps of one of the first Inuit's to visit Scotland, learn about the Leith author who became bigger than Shakespeare, and uncover the secrets of Leith's very own Rock n' Roll star who outsold Elvis. Dive into the history of the aeroplane shop that sold early bi-planes and discover the impact of the Zeppelin bombing raids of WW1. You'll also explore the Leith Links golf club, where the first known rules of golf were created.

Who is this for?

This private walking tour is perfect for cruise ship passengers looking for a short excursion close to Leith docks. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a curious traveler, or simply someone who wants to immerse themselves in the local culture, this tour is for you. David ensures that the tour is inclusive, catering to all kinds of cameras, including smartphones, and providing travel photography tips along the way. Everyone, regardless of their knowledge or experience, can enjoy and appreciate the fascinating stories and hidden gems of Leith.

Why book this?

By booking this private walking tour, you'll have the opportunity to uncover the lesser-known history and secrets of Leith. David's expertise and passion for travel, combined with his in-depth knowledge of the area, make for an engaging and captivating experience. You'll not only learn about the history and stories of Leith but also receive David's personal recommendations for cafes, restaurants, and pubs in Edinburgh. Additionally, you'll receive his iPhone Photography Guide, providing valuable tips on how to capture stunning photos using your smartphone camera. This tour offers a unique and personalized experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for this historic area.

Good to know

As you explore Leith with David, be prepared to venture off the beaten track and discover hidden gems. Throughout the tour, there will be a complimentary coffee/tea break in one of the excellent local cafes, allowing you to relax and soak in the atmosphere. The tour also includes David's guide to spending a day in Edinburgh, ensuring you have a well-rounded experience. Whether you're a photography enthusiast or a history lover, this tour caters to all interests and provides a memorable and informative experience.

Reviews

Previous participants of this tour have raved about the wealth of knowledge and engaging storytelling provided by David. They appreciated the opportunity to explore the lesser-known aspects of Leith's history and were impressed by David's ability to bring the past to life. Many praised the personalized recommendations for cafes, restaurants, and pubs in Edinburgh, as well as the iPhone Photography Guide, which enhanced their overall experience. Travelers were delighted to discover the hidden gems of Leith and left with a newfound appreciation for the area's rich history and culture.

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