Words and photos Chris Osburn.

Edinburgh’s port, Leith, offers visitors to this little slice of waterfront Scotland a microcosm of 21st century Britain. Post-industrial, mixed use, but largely residential with lots and lots of restaurants, pubs and bars and easily accessible from the city centre (just a short, cheap cab or very straightforward bus ride away), Leith is an ideal spot to station yourself when in Edinburgh. There’s also a wealth of accommodation options, from a seemingly endless list of B&Bs to a four-star stay at a former 19th century Seaman’s Mission cum Malmaison hotel. It’s hip round here too. Kinda like a quaint Edinburgh answer to Shoreditch or Williamsburg.

If you can manage to get up early enough in the a.m. (or just happen to stay up all night in this town known for taking festivities to the next level), the morning light is amazing. You can award your wee hours ramble with a tasty brekkie at Mimi’s Bakehouse (craven carnivores should give strong consideration to the massive and inexpensive Stornoway black pudding roll), and perhaps later call by the famous Perservere Bar, which has been pulling pints since 1785.

Here are some pre-breakfasts shots from my recent weekend getaway to Leith. Yeah, I made to the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat, the castle, etc. But I think my favourite part of the trip was just bumbling about Leith’s docks and cobbled streets.