The case for a Leith Museum

A good article by Museum campaign supporter in Saturday's Evening News - click here to read it!

Campaign Steering Group

Here are some of the members of the steering group for the Campaign for a Leith Museum:

Mark Lazarowicz MP for Edinburgh North & Leith (Chair)
Ian Gilmour, Minister, South Leith Parish Church
Jacqui Austin, who is an exhibition projects manager
Gilbert Archer, local businessman
Jim Tweedie, Chair, Leith Local History Society
Margaret Allan, from the local business community
Alun Rae, a structural engineer with a local practice
Steve Mitchell, representing the Leith Festival Association
John Arthur, local historian
Ian MacDonald, representing the Edinburgh branch of the Saltire Society

Scottish Parliament discusses Leith museum campaign petition

Thanks to the community website "Leith and North" for the following report on our petition before the Scottish Parliament. (Have a look at "Leith & North" for lots of good community information!)

Petition PE1083 went before the Public Petitions Committee this Tuesday, November 6th. Convener Frank McAveety declared it "a good petition worth exploring". Malcolm Chisholm (MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith) was there urging the committee to support this petition, noting the thousands of signatures gathered on the streets of Leith and speaking of the "strong feeling in Leith, that we have a rich and varied history ... with a distinct identity.

Malcolm went on to explain that the campaign wants to see a feasibility study carried out and referred to the appropriate bodies for consideration. He explained that Leith Custom House is owned by National Museums Scotland, and that they are happy for the building to be used if the items they store there can be housed elsewhere. Robin Harper (Green MSP for Lothians, and a committee member) supported the petition, noting that many smaller communities already have their own museums. Malcolm agreed noting that Leith is "one of the largest historic communities" that doesn't have one.

The Petitions Committee will seek the views of City of Edinburgh Council, COSLA, Enterprise companies and the Scottish Museums Council, with explicit questions about funding and any possible constraints; it will then make further recommendations. This does not fast track the petition as its supporters would have liked, but it does keep it before the Parliament under active consideration and leaves the opportunity to gather even more support.

Click here for more on the Campaign for a Leith Museum in "Leith and North"

Our submission to the Scottish Parliament in support of a Leith Museum

We've submitted our evidence to the Scottish Parliament whose Public Petitions committee will be considering our petition shortly. It is a good position statement of our case, so we're posting it below.
Local MSPs can attend the meeting and speak in support of a petition - so why not contact your MSP and ask them to be there! (You can find details of your local MSP on the Scottish Parliament website)

Campaign for a Leith Museum
Evidence for Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee
Petition PE 103, to be considered at the meeting of 6th November, 2007

Introduction

The campaign for a Leith museum fully supports the petition to the Scottish Parliament submitted by John Arthur. We would request that the signatures to our paper petition be considered alongside and in support of the e-petition. The signed petitions have been submitted to the Clerk.

Our campaign is directed at the establishment of a Leith museum, but we do support the developments of local museums elsewhere in Scotland.

Why Leith?

Leith is one of the largest historic communities in Edinburgh without its own dedicated museum. There have been repeated efforts over decades to establish a Leith museum, but these have never come to fruition. Edinburgh City Council has from time to time investigated the possibility of such a museum being established, but once again these have never resulted in any positive outcomes. At present, the only museum facility in Leith is at Trinity House. This is the home of the Incorporation of Shipowners and Shipmasters, and has a small collection of maritime memorabilia which can be visited by appointment.
Apart from that, there has been nothing else except occasional displays in Leith library, and for a short period in about 1985, an exhibition on the “forced merger” of Leith with Edinburgh, which was displayed in the Custom House Gallery section of Leith Custom House (see below). There is a small fisheries heritage museum in Newhaven. This, however, is only a small museum dealing solely with the heritage of Newhaven with a concentration on its history as a fishing port. It does not deal with the wider history of the area (of which Newhaven is only one small part), and in any event this museum has been temporarily closed by Edinburgh City Council.
Leith’s history is rich and varied, and given the port’s importance as the gateway to Scotland’s capital, its history includes some of the most significant events in the history of Scotland. Our campaign therefore seeks to establish a museum which will feature not just the history of Leith, but place it in its wider context as part of the history of Edinburgh and of Scotland. Furthermore, Leith, like many other communities in Scotland, is currently undergoing rapid change with new developments, new residents, and a growing representation of new ethnic communities. We believe that a Leith museum could play an important role in strengthening community links between the existing and new communities; such a museum should be a living and vibrant place where the community of today and the next generation can find out more about the history of their community, and where the older and existing community can celebrate the history and culture which has made Leith the place it is today.

A museum for Leith would also be of economic development benefit to Leith, which notwithstanding recent changes still includes some of the areas in Edinburgh with the highest indicators of social deprivation. It would also provide a boost to the tourism potential of Leith and of Edinburgh as a whole.

Where might a Leith museum be established?

There is no shortage of suitable historic buildings in Leith where such a museum could be established. Possibilities also exist in the new developments currently taking place and proposed for Leith docks, and we note that Forth Ports have suggested making space available for some type of museum in their proposed redevelopment. As a campaign, we have not yet expressed a preference for a particular venue, as we consider our priority is to build up support for the principle of a museum so that we can work with the relevant local and governmental authorities to carry out the necessary feasibility work to take forward the idea of a museum for Leith. However, we are particularly interested in the possibility of using the Custom House as a location for a museum. This is currently used by the National Museums of Scotland as storage. The National Museums have expressed a willingness to move out of the building, but would require funding from the Scottish Government (or elsewhere) to provide alternative storage space to allow them to vacate the building.

Our campaign and steering group

This present campaign for a Leith museum was established by the MP for Edinburgh North & Leith, Mark Lazarowicz. It now has all party support from a wide range of representatives for the Leith area, including the following:

Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North & Leith (Labour)Malcolm Chisholm, MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith (Labour)Robin Harper, MSP for Lothian (Green)Gavin Strang, MP for Edinburgh East (Labour)George Foulkes, MSP for Lothian (Labour)Ian McKee, MSP for Lothian (SNP)Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothian (Independent)Rob Munn, Councillor for Leith , Depute Lord Provost (SNP)Marjorie Thomas, Councillor for Leith (Liberal Democrat)Gordon Munro, Councillor for Leith (Labour)Angela Blacklock, Councillor for Leith Walk (Labour)Maggie Chapman, Councillor for Leith Walk (Green)Louise Lang, Councillor for Leith Walk (Liberal Democrat)Steve Cardownie, Councillor for Forth (SNP)Elizabeth Maginnis, Councillor for Forth (Labour)
Councillor Stefan Tymkewycz (SNP)
It also has support from a large number of community organisations in the Leith area, as follows: Leith Local History Society, Leith Festival Association, Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council, Leith Open Space Group, Rotary Club of Leith, Saltire Society Edinburgh Branch, Leith Central Community Council, Leith St. Andrews Parish Church, Pilrig - St. Pauls Parish Church, Leith Links Community Council, South Leith Parish Church, and North Leith Parish Church.
The campaign is now being led by a steering group drawn from a wide cross section of the Leith community, including representatives from many of the above organisations together with a number of local business leaders.

Our priorities and our request to the Public Petitions committee

The current top priority of the campaign is to obtain the support of local and central government, along with other relevant agencies, to the principle of a Leith museum, and thereafter to work with us to carry out the necessary feasibility work into the establishment of such a museum. As indicated above, our view is that this work has relevance for Scotland as a whole, not least because of the possibilities offered by use of Leith Custom House, which would require support from an agency funded by the Scottish Government, namely the National Museums of Scotland.

We would therefore hope that the relevant departments of the Scottish Government would agree to work with our campaign to develop the proposals set out in this paper. We would also hope that our efforts would be supported by the relevant economic development and tourism promotion bodies given the obvious potential of such a museum in these respects.

For further information, contact the Chair of the Campaign for a Leith Museum, Mark Lazarowicz MP, at mark@marklazarowicz.org.uk
Visit http://leithmuseum.blogspot.com
for more details of the campaign and its supporters.

Save Newhaven museum

Worrying news recently about the Newhaven museum. According to an article in the Evening News the council is in dispute with Forth Ports, and Newhaven museum may not reopen!

As a campaign for a Leith museum, we certainly don't want Newhaven to lose its museum. Newhaven has its own history, and the Newhaven museum should complement a Leith museum. Let your City Councillor know that Newhaven museum should be reopened as soon as possible! Click here for details of how to contact your local Edinburgh councillor.

Scottish Parliament to consider Leith Museum petition

Our petition in support of a Leith museum will be heard by the Scottish Parliament Public Petitions Committee at its meeting on Tuesday 6 November. The meeting will be held in Committee Room 1, at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, and is scheduled to start at 2.00 pm.

MSPs who are not on the Public Petitions Committee can still go along and address the committee. Encourage your MSP to go along and support our campaign!

Custom House in the "Evening News"

A good article here in the Evening News about Custom House becoming a Leith museum!

Leith Docks planning application

We're still wading through the massive planning application by Forth Ports plc to redevelop Leith docks to find out what they are saying about a Leith museum (see below). The application consists of about 12 volumes, which makes it very hard to understand the whole picture (a fact which has led Mark Lazarowicz MP to call for an extension of the very limited period available for public comment on the proposals).

At present, however, comments on the application close on Friday 12th October, and on the supplementary documents on Friday 19th October. STOP PRESS: the closing date has now been extended to 2nd November.

You can find the application on-line at Edinburgh City Council's planning website and can also submit comments on-line. If you can make a full comment, so much the better. At the very least, it would be helpful for museum supporters to write in and say they think that a museum should be provided for Leith; and if it is not in the docks redevelopment, then the developers should be required to make a contribution to the cost of establishing a museum elsewhere in Leith (which many people would prefer). Click here for a link to the City Council's planning website. To access the planning application for Leith docks, enter the following application reference: 07/03895/OUT

Although the planning application is difficult to get through, the Evening News had a big article on the development which does give more information.

Update on Leith Docks planning application

We've tried to find out more about the suggestion that the planned redevelopment of Leith docks recently announced by Forth Ports might include a Leith museum. We've had look at the massive outline planning application and supplementary documents. So far we've certainly been able to find a reference to a museum being a possibility, but no definite commitment. We're trying to find out more, and will put a post on this blog when we do (see above). Whether or not that's the best place for a Leith museum is a good question, which we'll come back to. Anyone with any views, let us have them in a comment!

Leith docks development and a new Museum?

Interesting development this week with the launch of Forth Ports' application for outline planning permission for the redevelopment of Leith docks. It appears that one of the possibilities is that it will include a site for a museum. It's not clear to the campaign at this stage how firm a proposal this is, and/or whether there is any suggestion of any funding for such a museum, or just a possible site, but it's certainly interesting. It's also encouraging because it shows that the idea of a Leith museum is catching on (although some - including supporters of the campaign - have strong views a museum should be in the existing Leith rather than in the docks area).

Nevertheless, it's certainly a sign of how our campaign is catching on. We'll be finding out more about the suggestion and reporting back here soon.

Campaign update

Here's an update on how things have been going with the Leith Museum Campaign during and after the summer break!

The petition continues to get strong backing. There's about 3000 signatures in support of the campaign so far, and more and more are coming in every day. The signatures that have been sent in on petition forms have been added to the signatures on the "e-petition" to the Scottish Parliament, and that petition will be going before the Scottish Parliament over the next few weeks.

Local MP Mark Lazarowicz who launched the campaign had a meeting with the Director of the National Museums of Scotland who are the current owners of Leith Custom House, one of the possible locations for a Leith museum. Mark says the meeting was "very useful", and there'll be more information about this on this website in a day or two.

Finally, there's a meeting on 3rd September of some of the local groups who've been backing this campaign to talk about where we take the campaign next.

There'll be more updates on all of this in the next few days.

Possible locations for a Leith Museum

Where might a Leith Museum be situated? Well, there's a number of obvious possibilities. One suggestion (right) is the former Leith Town Hall, now used as Leith Police Station.

Another suggestion is Lamb's House, currently owned by the National Trust for Scotland. (left)

And many people's favourite would be Custom House (below - and a modern day photo on the right of this blog), currently used by the National Museums of Scotland for storage. This occupies a prominent position on the Water of Leith.

Of course, at present, all these ideas are just that - ideas. But it certainly shows there's no shortage of fine buildings which could be used.

All-party backing for Leith Museum campaign

The Campaign is now getting all-party support from local and national elected representatives.
Here's a list of the politicians who are currently supporting the campaign:
Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North & Leith (Labour)
Malcolm Chisholm, MSP for Edinburgh North & Leith (Labour)
Robin Harper, MSP for Lothian (Green)
Councillor Stefan Tymkewycz (SNP)
Gavin Strang, MP for Edinburgh East (Labour)
George Foulkes, MSP for Lothian (Labour)
Ian McKee, MSP for Lothian (SNP)
Margo MacDonald, MSP for Lothian (Independent)
Rob Munn, Councillor for Leith (SNP)
Marjorie Thomas, Councillor for Leith (Liberal Democrat)
Gordon Munro, Councillor for Leith (Labour)
Angela Blacklock, Councillor for Leith Walk (Labour)
Maggie Chapman, Councillor for Leith Walk (Green)
Louise Lang, Councillor for Leith Walk (Liberal Democrat)
Steve Cardownie, Councillor for Forth, Depute Lord Provost (SNP)
Elizabeth Maginnis, Councillor for Forth (Labour)

We've written to all the councillors for the Leith, Leith Walk, and Forth wards, asking for their support. We'll update the list of supporters as and when we hear from them.

Evening News publicises our campaign launch

We're pleased to see the Edinburgh Evening News gave quite a big piece of coverage to the launch of our campaign - see here The Leith Links website has also given us a lot of publicity as well - thanks!

Join the Campaign for a Leith Museum

For decades, there have been repeated calls for the establishment of a Leith Museum. Campaigns have been launched, studies carried out, promises made - but Leith, one of the most historic communities in Scotland, still does not have a permanent, full time, museum. Now, as Leith undergoes massive change, the case for the port to have its own museum is stronger than ever. A museum will be a showcase of Leith's heritage to the Leith community, bringing together Leithers of many generations with those who have settled in Leith only recently. Leith deserves a museum which will appeal to both young and old, strengthen community links at a time of rapid social change, and will highlight Leith's important role in the history of Scotland as a whole. Now is the time for government and public agencies, with the support also of the big developers who are transforming the face of Leith, to make a real commitment to help establish a real museum for Leith. This campaign calls upon Edinburgh City Council to support the establishment of a Leith museum, along with the others who can have an important role to play in making this dream a reality - the Scottish Executive and Historic Scotland, the National Museums of Scotland, Scottish Enterprise, the National Trust for Scotland, the National Lottery, and the Leith community itself. If you support this campaign for a Leith museum, sign the petition and show your support as well!

Campaigning for a Leith Museum for 60 years

(many thanks to John Arthur for contributing this article)

The Campaign for a Leith Museum has been going on for over sixty years and has included the last of the Balfour family who died in Pilrig House in 1941 (who in fact gave Pilrig House to the Edinburgh Council to be used as a Leith Museum but her wishes were never carried out). Dr James Scott Marshall the eminent Leith Historian and Minister of the Kirkgate Church and Councillor Rev Elizabeth Wardlaw whose efforts in developing the Leith Festival is still appreciated by many in Leith and many others over the years but still Leith hasn’t a Museum of its own.

However the first question should be “why a Museum in the first place?” For what possible reason should the Council anyone else for that matter support a Leith Museum? Can I suggest the following-?

1) If we forget the past then we condemn ourselves to repeat the mistakes of the past
2) It would inform, educate and enlighten this and future generations of what is, was and can be the future for Leith
3) It would bring people, cultures and communities closer together
4) Unless people clearly understand through different media the reasons for the problems in Leith today and there origins then current problems cannot be tackled.
5) At a time of rapid technological and cultural change there is a great temptation to forget the past and think it irrelevant to the present but such a view would be very shortsighted. Because the origins and reasons for things happening today lie in the past.
6) There are many people abroad and ex-pats who are interested in Leith and are returning in ever increasing numbers every year and so a Leith Museum would be essential to the Tourist industry and to the many small businesses, shops, hotels, B&B’s, Public Houses and restaurants that depend on the tourist industry for their business.
7) It would engender a community spirit and would bring people closer together and encourage greater understanding between generations of people and cultures which is essential in today’s climate of tension.
8) It would encourage a pride in the area
9) It would show Leith is more then merely an area for developers and for the well healed but has a proud history going back into the mists of time
10) It would help promote Leith to the wider world and place it on the World stage which may sound ambitious but the fact remains that Leithers have travelled all over the world and traded with Europe for centuries. These are our strengths and we should use it for the benefit of all and not the few.

Further a Leith Museum wouldn’t only focus of the History of Leith a small place in Edinburgh, but what people seem to fail to recognise is the central role that Leith has played in the history of Scotland. Most of the Kings and Queens of Scotland from the time of David I came to Leith including William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, the Reformation of the Church of Scotland started and was completed in Leith, The Knights of St John built one of the largest monasteries in Scotland in Leith, the whole idea of the United Kingdom has its origins in Leith, Not to mention the poets, writers, painters, doctors, social reformers, soldiers, engineers, seamen, and real pirates connected to Leith that gave the world great literature like “Kidnapped” and “Treasure Island” by Robert L. Stevenson. That is not to mention the Ship builders and inventers and the list of the contributions of Leith to world culture and heritage is endless. The first steam ship to cross the Atlantic was built in Leith like the first ship to pass through the Suez Canal and this is only scratching the surface of Leith History... So to suggest that Leith hasn’t a history is showing a very great ignorance and stupidity but also insulting to the people of Leith

So assuming we got the backing for a Leith Museum where in my opinion should it be? The Leith Town Hall currently used by the Police in Charlotte Street although a beautiful building is really too small to be used as a Museum. Lambs House is a proper 17th century merchant’s house currently owned by the National Trust which could be used. However the costs of bringing it up to modern museum standards and for the building to be brought into line with modern building regulations where the public has access may prove prohibitive. The only building suitable in my opinion would be the Custom House in Commercial Street. The reasons being-

1) It looks like a museum and has status and presence.
2) It can be developed and expanded internally for exhibitions and multi-purpose requirements
3) It has plenty of space
4) It is the sort of building that would be a credit to Leith and is recognisable
5) It’s on a main Street connecting the new Leith developments with Old Leith in close proximity to, restaurants, hotels and the Ocean Terminal and the Scottish Executive.

Although the cost to buy, run and develop the Custom House may initially be expensive in the short term in the long term it would prove to be a very wise investment in the future for the development of the area as a whole, the increase status it would give to Leith, the increase in visitor numbers and business in the area and by return a increase in employment and investment.

Let us not look at this through rose tinted spectacles to run, organise and pay for a Leith Museum is not easy nor is it cheap by any stretch of the imagination. However in my opinion it must be done not only for the well being of Leith, or the development of Leith, not only for business reasons which are good enough reasons in themselves but for the future generations of Leithers that will come after us, for our children and our children’s, children. Are we really going to allow the History and culture of Leith to be left ignored and discarded as if it was nothing because if we do that this generation and this council will stand rightly condemned at the bar of history