Leith Shore: Revisiting a Great Neighbourhood
Part of the AoU's Summer of Walking programme, taking place in Edinburgh
The AoU's Summer of Walking, part of our 20th anniversary celebrations, is a programme of tours curated and led by our members, bringing together urbanists across the UK to explore interesting, alternative, or just plain great urbanism by foot. Click here to see other tours taking place this summer.
Keep an eye on the AoU newsletter, where more tours will be announced and reminders sent out.
Date: Thursday 17 July 2025
Time: 18:00
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Curated by: Ross Irvine
Distance (approx): 2.5km
Duration (approx): 2 hours
Please check your booking confirmation for info about the meeting point for this tour.
About the tour
This walking tour will take in the history of Leith as part of Edinburgh yet with its own character, showing the redevelopment of the area from the 80s onward to regenerate docklands and industrial spaces into a mixed residential neighbourhood maintaining its existing fabric. It will show the ongoing changes to the neighbourhood since the previous AoU's 2023 Urbanism Awards assessment visit, themed around connectivity (trams and Leith Connections active travel works), community led renewal (Coalie Park, Custom House and George Brown and Sons) and the continued growth of the area with new high density housing on the waterfront. There are many local bars and cafes to stop at afterwards for refreshments and further discussion.
Ross will lead the tour as a planner with experience working in the area, with input from those working in the area from Council staff to community members.
About Ross
Ross Irvine is a Young Urbanist at the AoU and Planning Officer with the City of Edinburgh Council, working in Development Planning and Policy focused on place, health and wellbeing with a background in design and town planning.
He is also a Leith resident and looks forward to introducing you to this distinctive corner of Edinburgh and how it is still evolving.
Please note: All refreshments are provided at your own expense unless otherwise stated.
